Which qbank should I choose?

[lilianna]

Hello, could someone help me decide which q bank to pick. I have two and a half months left to study for the USMLE step 1, and would like to choose a qbank. I was looking through the forums and I have rounded it down to these four (paid) qbanks:

Kaplan – 2150 questions
Kaplan Integrated Vignettes Qbank – 1250 questions
USMLERx ( by authors of FA)
USMLE WORLD QbankI thought that I would do numbers 2 & 3 + free qbanks and leave out numbers 1 and 4 because I read that the original Kaplan Qbank (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=c97WUMRO5hY&offerid=47491.490132310&type=10&subid=) is not as helpful as it was two years ago. Is this a good idea? I don´t want to do all 4 because of time constraints and the high cost. I am kind of afraid to make a big mistake if I don’t choose Kaplan (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=c97WUMRO5hY&offerid=47491.490132310&type=10&subid=)’s 2150 questions.

Please help…

[jameslynton]

Kaplan – 2150 questions - No get the Kaplan step1 qbook (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743262387/valuetheplace-20) book for $35-$40 - this will save you some money (850 questions by subject) ISBN -13:978-7432-7343-5 (2005)
Kaplan Integrated Vignettes Qbank – 1250 questions ok
USMLERx ( by authors of FA) - very good worth the money not as dated as the Kaplan.
USMLE WORLD Qbank - out of date
Would also look at FA Vignettes - MD90 used these and felt they helped her...Get the Lange Practice tests USMLE Step 1 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/007144615X/valuetheplace-20) - ISBN 0-07-144615-X (650 questions in 50 question random mixed blocks).

On the paper tests - take them in timed 50 question sets. Repeat tests till you are scoring high and have reviewed misses and correct guesses.

[lilianna]

Thank you for your answer James :) ,

I will definetly get the USMLERx qbank and the FA cases sound great as well but I am not sure yet about the Kaplan Integrated vignettes Qbank because I have read here and in other forums that it is too easy….

[jameslynton]

Also consider the Robbins pathology questions as an excellent source. They are hard, and I also recommend the Rapid reviews of Pathology and Biochemistry. Each rapid review has 350 questions in them. They are well written and many current year (this summer) said they hit the mark.