Here is a list of clinically relevant resources, along with the corresponding links, to help you crush your shelf exams and USMLE Step 2 CK.
Achieving a high score on these exams not only requires a strong fund of knowledge, but also, finely tuned test-taking strategies. While the following resources can help build your fund of knowledge, a MedSchoolGuru can help you hone your test taking skills and help you minimize the cognitive traps students commonly fall for during exams. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Check out our posts on how to crush the medicine, surgery, and pediatrics clerkships.
The best, and most comprehensive, set of questions for shelf and Step 2 review. Includes 2200 extremely high yield questions for shelf exams and USMLE Step 2 CK. Must do.
Outstanding questions for surgery clerkship. High yield for USMLE Step 2CK. See here for our blog post on how to crush the surgery clerkship. Must do.
Two hour shelf-reviews for Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Medicine. Extremely high yield for shelfs and Step 2 CK. Must do.
Official NBME practice shelf exams. Do every one, for every clerkship, and then review your incorrects before Step 2 CK. Log in link here. Must do.
Official NBME USMLE Step 2 CK exams. Do each one during your USMLE Step 2 CK review. Log in link here. Must do.
Great foundational videos for all clerkships. Good for brushing up on areas of weakness for Step 2 CK preparation. Highly recommended.
There are a number of high yield Anki decks publicly available for both rotations and USMLE Step 2 CK. We recommend using the amazing MedSchoolGurus Anki Decks. Your Guru will recommend which decks to use, how/when to use them, and make sure you're set up for success. Must do.
AMBOSS has a good QBank and a great library of information to help you succeed on clinical rotations. See here for our blog post on how to crush the medicine clerkship. Recommended.
A great set of flashcards that will help you look smart on medicine wards. Low to moderate yield for USMLE Step 2CK. Optional.
If you're an over-achiever and want 2000+ more well written questions in internal medicine, look into MKSAP 18 Digital. Both are highly comprehensive medicine resources intended for board review for the American Board of Internal Medicine board exam, the exam medicine residents have to take. Needless to say, if you complete this resource, you'll score well on your medicine shelf exam. If you're looking for a resource to use to study medicine at the resident level on the go, MKSAP audio is excellent. Optional.
UWise is a set of about 500 OBGYN questions produced by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO). These are high yield for the OBGYN shelf exam, but only moderate yield for USMLE Step 2CK (I recommend them for CK only if OBGYN is a major weakness or if you have time). Optional.
"What about PreTest?"
There is a PreTest textbook for each major medical school clerkship. Each contains about 500-1000 low to moderate yield questions for the shelf exams. I recommend them specifically for medicine and pediatrics clerkships, but only if you have already gone through all the above resources and have extra time. Optional.
What to use on the wards?
On the wards, it's helpful to formulate an assessment and plan with respect to the most current guidelines and recommendations. To do so, make sure to discuss with your residents and attendings, as each institution may have its own preferences on how to do things. In addition, referring to UpToDate is a great way to read-up on contemporary clinical understanding and management. Please note, however, that UpToDate is a low-yield resource for Shelf Exams and USMLE Step 2 CK, as it is far too comprehensive and wordy.
Additional Apps to use on the wards:
GoodRx - good pharmacy app to help show patients what their pills look like and where they can find the cheapest deals for their medications.
Epocrates - another pharmacy app - helps look up drug doses, side effects, and interactions.
MDCalc - great app and website for calculating clinical scores such as CHA₂DS₂-VASc, HAS-BLED, MELD, Child-Pugh, etc.
There is no substitute for good advice and guidance. For help on how to set up a schedule, advice on how to use these resources, tips on how to maximize your efficiency in going through these resources, and personalized 1:1 sessions designed to identify your strengths and address your weaknesses, contact us to set up a free consultation.
