I didn't do this much 1st year but did it a lot 2nd year and I thought it helped to focus my studying time to the stuff more important for boards and the wards. The review books tell you what is most important. Make sure, however, that you also read more stuff for your class because the usmle is not as detailed as what you will need to know for your class so the review books are rather superficial. Hope that helps a bit.

I would definitely recomend using board review books for your first couple years. You will probably need to use texts, or course packs to supplement them for classes, but it is a great way to prepare for step I. Make sure to add personal notes to the books while you go. It will help you recall things when you review two years from now.

BRS Physiology and Pathology, and Lippincott Pharm are probably the three most used review books. For micro, I loved Levinson, but many people like the ridiculously simple. BRS Anatomy is good for the course, but you will only need High Yield Anatomy for Step I. The same goes for BRS histology and Neurology. They are great for the course, but too much for boards. High Yield behavioral is a good source also. I would also recomend getting First Aid early and work on memorizing it and adding notes to the areas that it is lacking.

Ortho 2003 pretty much summed it up.

I too began to use a lot of review books during 2nd year. I was one of those persons who loved Micro Made rediculously simple. I though BRS neuroanatomy (the big one) was excellent for our neuro block, but too much for boards (Hi-yield neuro was great for the boards and I thought one of the best books in the hi-yield series). I pretty much echo on the rest of the books.

I'd like to echo a piece of advice given by ortho2003. Definitely get a copy of First Aid early! (You can never be too early.) Go over the high yield facts as you cover them in your courses. This book is the Bible of all Step I studying... use it to its fullest potential.

A chance to cut is a chance to cure. )

You've already received some valuable insight. The only thing I would stress is that no matter what resources you go with, the best way to prepare for Step I is to really master the first 2 years' curriculum as you go along. That will make your pre-exam review weeks go a lot more smoothly.

BTW, I also really liked Micro Made Ridic. Simple. As for topics not mentioned so far. Embryo-even High Yield may be too much. Biochem-almost every question I had I was prepared for by First Aid. Genetics-you'll have 1 max 2 questions, so don't even bother with an entire book.

Hope this helps.