Pathology I (Platinum Vignettes)

Rating:
Summary: Lives up to the hype!
Review: All my colleagues that recently took the Step 1 exam were raving about this series while I waited an extra two months to take the exam because I was so paranoid. I decided to buy the series after hearing all the hype and, for once, a book lived up to its reputation. This book in particular was extremely helpful to me in getting my mind ready for the types of questions that appeared on my exam. The format of the book has you guess/state the answer to various proposed questions at the end of each of 50 clinical vignettes, then you turn the page to get the answers and read a brief blurb of high-yield info related to the topic/condition. Great, concise, well-written explanations that give you confidence and understanding of important topics. Strongly recommend the whole series and this volume in particular.

Rating:
Summary: Very high-yield info
Review: Great way to review right before your exam. Helped me prepare for the case-based questions that now make up the majority of the step 1 test. The two pathology volumes give the biggest bang for the buck if money is tight, but I think the whole series (5 books: pathology I & II, microbiology, behavioral science & biostatistics, and anatomy & embryology) is outstanding.

Rating:
Summary: Can do much better than pass with this series
Review: I scored in the 87th percentile on Step 1 and credit much of my above-average performance to this series. The author seems very in tune with what's important for the boards. Lots of great info presented in the way it was asked about on my exam. Strongly recommend every book in the series, but particularly the pathology volumes. Check these out!

Rating:
Summary: This is awesome!
Review: This is the best way to prepare for the exam! This guy knows his stuff and explains it VERY well. All case-based reviews - there are no multiple choice questions in these books. All the series is excellent except the anatomy volume was low-yield for exam.