USMLE Step 2 Secrets (Paperback)

by Adam Brochert MD (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
Provides essential questions and answers covering topics that have appeared on recent Step II exams

Product Description
Written by Dr. Brochert, who scored in the 99th percentile in Steps 1 and 2 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), this new addition to The Secrets Series(r) provides essential questions and answers covering topics that have appeared on recent Step II * Coverage of all specialty and subspecialty topics covered on Step 2 * All the most important "need-to-know" questions-and-answers in the proven format of the highly acclaimed Secrets Series(r) * Concise answers that include the author's pearls, tips, memory aids, and "secrets" * Bulleted lists, algorithms, and illustrations for quick review * Thorough, highly detailed index * Thought-provoking questions that provide succinct answers * Presentation of a vast amount of information, but not overly simplistic

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Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Hanley & Belfus; 2 edition (March 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156053608X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560536086
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,164 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid but use USMLEworld too, August 18, 2006

By	46&2 "Burninator" (Texas) - See all my reviews

Several interns had recommended this book to me to prep for Step 2. I used Step 2 Secrets almost exclusively with Kaplan Q Bank and USMLEworld (another online question bank). Step 2 Secrets seems to deal with the bread-and-butter of the medical field, which is an essential foundation for the real test. While doing USMLEworld, however, I tended to miss quite a few questions that Step 2 Secrets did not seem to cover. Unfortunately, the real Step 2 tends to mimic USMLEworld closely in terms of format, difficulty, and overall vagueness. Just prior to test time, I browsed through First Aid Step 2 CK and it seemed to cover some of the holes in my knowledge. I did not feel very confident taking the test. Nonetheless, I managed a 260+ on the real thing, which I don't think reflected my true lack of knowledge. While Step 2 Secrets (as a previous reviewer mentioned), does do a good job covering the basics, it lacks the inside edge USMLEworld and the newest First Aid (only slightly better) possess. In the end, you probably only want to buy either Step 2 Secrets or First Aid. They're quite similar, so your decision should be based on the format. If you like Q&A, go for Secrets. If you like outlines and text, First Aid (Crush Step 2 is basically an outline version of Secrets). Make sure, however, to do USMLEworld. It's frustrating and nit picky, like the real thing. Step 2 is more instinctual in nature than Step 1, so it's more about realizing general concepts of treatments and workups. Practice questions and scenarios are key here. Prior clinical experience and doing well on rotations (learning, not scutting) are important as well. Good luck and I hope you have good results.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars tests are pests, January 19, 2006

By	Eduard Rozner - See all my reviews

As many of the reviewers have already mentioned, this book (as all Brochert books) are basically the same material in different formats. That is a fact, as opposed to a criticism. If you understand this you will simply save yourself some money by not buying all his books. You decide which format you prefer(Q&A vs prose) and stick to it.
Now as to the content of the book, obviously the popularity of this series is not just hype. As Brochert says in the preface, he wrote this book because he felt there were no review books for Step 2 quite as good as those available for step 1. On the whole I'd agree with him that this is STILL the case. This is not an empty criticism from some distraught overworked brain studying for a board exam but a simple aknowledgment that Step 2(an Step3) cover such a broad ground that to draw a simple map for it (in the quaint manner of Step 1's 7 disciplines) is not all that easy. Besides the core curriculum the exam likes to branch out to many specialties and review clinically relevant sciences from step 1 (particularly pharmacology). In appreciation of this challenge you should realise that if you plan to really ace step 2 you will have to study consistently through year 3 and develop a good fund of knowledge. No review book can possibly cover everything but this book alerts you to the most tested subjects(which should at the least act as a topic list for whitling down the rather broad field of what is "clinically relevant"). Some reviewers seem very disconcerted that all the material is "things you've heard before." Well, hopefully that's true. The goal of a good review book is 1)to pare down the amount of material to manageable levels and 2) to give it to you in a format which is memorable or "mentally sticky." On the second point I think this book is possibly better than Crush (but that is just me maybe). This book covers most of the "hot button" or "red flag" topics you should know and if you're very ambitious and want to go above and beyond then at the very least it's a good starting point. So in short: 1)concise, high yield review 2) DON'T buy all the Brochert books (sorry Adam I know you'll be pissed) 3)probably not a total waste of money

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than First Aid, September 8, 2006

By	Jarrod D. Knudson "mudphud" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found Step 2 secrets to be a much higher yield resource for Step 2 CK than First Aid. First Aid contains too much detailed basic science review for my liking. Step 2 secrets is predominantly clinical and full of pearls that came up on CK for me. Especially helpful were the emergency medicine, cardiology and rheumatology sections. The question/answer format is very handy. I covered answers and discussed the question in my mind, in essence self-pimping throughout the book. It's a great book to use for group study or study with a partner as well. I went through secrets before tackling Qbank questions and found it to be very helpful. When I sat for CK, I was amazed by how many questions (50+) that I was able to answer immediately based on recalling the content in secrets. Secrets is short and easily digestible. Although I consider USMLE World and Kaplan Qbank to be the top study aids for the exam, I believe that step 2 secrets is a very good supplemental text for preparation. I regret having purchased and read First Aid (see my review of First Aid for CK). In general the first aid series are very good as we all know; however, step 2 secrets is superior to first aid for CK in my opinion.