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First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CS (First Aid for the USMLE Step 2: Clinical Skills) Editorial Review:
A STUDENT TO STUDENT GUIDE
The top-selling CS review book written by students and IMGs who recently passed
100+ high-yield minicases by chief complaint
30 complete cases simulate the exam experience
Contains new Patient Encounters, including telephone interviews
Perfect for group or solo study
YOUR COMPLETE CS SURVIVAL GUIDE FROM THE AUTHORS OF FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE STEP 1
INSIDER ADVICE FOR STEP 2 CS SUCCESS
New miniguide shows US students and IMGs how best to use this book
Revised by test veterans to reflect the 2005--2006 exam experience
Each complete case features standardized patient checklists and a recommended clinical approach
Minicases represent the major chief complaints and diagnoses seen on the Step 2 CS
Proven strategies for the patient encounter and patient note
High-yield, must-know facts on patient diagnosis and workup
Customer Reviews: Yeah it helped Some cases were almost word for word during the test. I would recommend to all USMLE step 2 CS students.
The only book a US student needs for this exam Of all the First Aid books I've used (Step 1, Step 2 CK, Wards), this is the only one that I'd use as stand-alone prep for the exam. I finally coughed up $45 for this book after trying unsuccessfully to figure out the basics of the exam from the info provided by USMLE (i.e. structure, timing, scoring, topics). It was completely worth it. Every case I had on the real exam was very, very familiar, after studying for only 3 days. Most important, I knew what I needed to do to earn points. Don't waste time or money with anything else.
Very helpful for CS This review book was very helpful in taking Step 2 CS. It contains more info than you need, but is organized in a manner where you can easily skip what you don't need. The "minicases" were tremendously helpful, if for no other reason than just brushing up on diagnoses I hadn't thought about in months... If you have time, you can look over the practice cases, but those are skippable if you're crunched for time. I started reviewing 1 week prior to the exam & I think I did just fine.
SUPER IMPORTANT ITEM THIS IS A BASIC FOR PASSING STEP 2 CS, FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WORK UP, THE MINICASES ARE VERY HELPFULL, BUY IT WITH CONFIDENCE, IT IS A GREAT BOOK
Gotta have it, not to learn, but to alleviate anxiety. The great thing about this book is that it demystifies the CS so you know EXACTLY what is coming at you. Not so much the actual cases, nobody can do that for you, but you'll know the format, time constraints, everything about the exam right down to the pesky little details. I didn't bother reading any of the cases, but the book was worth the purchase just so I knew about the test itself and could prepare myself mentally. I was kind of freaking out about this exam until I read this book, the day of the exam, I was totally relaxed and I wasn't surprised by anything.
I can't comment on the cases other than to say there is quite a few of them in here.
I would buy this book again knowing what is in it, and what was involved with the test.
This book will not guarantee a pass for you, nothing can. A fellow medical student that took the exam the same day as me at the same center failed, and he read it cover to cover.
Best thing to do with this book is read about the exam itself, ignore the rest, and do your best to relax the day of the exam (alprazolam or beta blockers never hurt either if you need them) and treat it like any other day at the clinic.
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