a litmus test for the future aspirants which give them an edge over others. The selection of books is an ever changing criterion and has evolved itself from the time of its inception. Back in 2000, there was one choice of books and beyond that era there were others. With the help of active participants on social media, sharing their experience of study and past exams, the new comers are just a click away from the recommended guidelines, and the same helps in guiding their hard work in true direction and towards attainment of goal.
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Guidelines for Part 1 FCPS o Planning for FCPS residency program? o Lots of questions and queries, as which book to study and which to skip? o To study at home, CPSP or in group? o Here is only list of books which are recommended for Part 1 FCPS exam. Title Author Comments Clinical Anatomy By Regions 9th Edition Richard S. Snell While solving BCQs Book, you will be surprised to know that all BCQs come word by word from this book. After going through all text the student will conclude that CPSP Examiners uses only this book as standard to make their questions. This book is made comparatively concise and edited from the Snells Anatomy for Medical Students. Its content includes system wise anatomy, embryology and clinical correlations. The clinical portion of this book is a must read. Recommended for those appearing in Surgery & Allied and Radiology if time is not constrained. Clinical Anatomy 4 th Edition An illustrated review with questions and explanations Richard S. Snell This is a short review book of anatomy. Concise and revisable, although a number of topics and clinical correlations are not covered. Recommended for all specialties including Surgery & Allied and Radiology.
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BRS Gross Anatomy 7 th Edition Kyung Won Chung If the clinical correlations of all anatomy books are compiled then BRS series is here for you. The content is outlined with organ wise developmental anatomy. Text is outlined, relations made complex without headings. In theory a wide range of topics are not covered. Not recommended. Kaplan Anatomy Kaplan Concise, easy to read with required clinical correlations. Histology, Gross Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroanatomy are described as separate sections. Histology section is high yield, with required clinical content. For Gross Anatomy a wide range of topics are not covered and only the most important organ relations and clinical correlations are defined in a clear and precise pattern. Embryology is high yield with required content. Neuroanatomy portion is concise, high yield with brief lecture notes and revisable. The book as a whole is recommended for all specialties except candidates of Surgery & Allied and Radiology, for the latter two specialties, only Gross Anatomy section can be reviewed from other recommended books.
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Clinical Neuroanatomy 7th Edition Richard S. Snell The standard book for basic Neuroanatomy. With less clinical correlations, its content is more focused on pure anatomy, making it an uninteresting book. Although all BCQs come word by word from this book, but with the availability of other review books it is not recommended for Part 1 FCPS. BRS Neuroanatomy 4 th Edition James D. Fix A high yield book of BRS series. The content is outlined which is more focused on clinical correlations. The content is detailed and more than for what is required for exams. Exam oriented Neuroanatomy Merchant & Mehmood A concise review book with high yield content simplified by illustrations and charts and exemplified by standard clinical correlations. Recommended for FCPS, USMLE and PLAB. Langmans Embryology 12 th Edition T. W Sadler The content of book approaches system wise, with easy to read text. It is more focused on theory making it an uninteresting book. Clinical portion is low yield. Although all BCQs come word by word from this book, but with the availability of other review books it is not recommended for Part 1 FCPS.
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BRS Pathology 5 th Edition Arthur S. Schneider The text is written in outline format for effective review. Icons indicate high-yield information that correlates with key pathology concepts. Topics covered include general and basic pathology, major concepts of disease processes, and systemic pathology surveying principal disorders of each organ system. The content of the book is for those students who have strong basic knowledge for the key concepts, as it skips the explanations of the basic mechanisms which plays a key role in understanding correlation. This book cannot be reviewed alone for which it is recommended to have an aid book most preferably Pathoma. Comparatively less pathological pictures and slides. Most of BCQs come word by word from this book.
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Rapid Review Pathology Revised Reprint 4 th Edition Edward F. Goljan MD The only book, which is rated as A+ by students who opt for international medical exams. A comprehensive source for key concepts in pathology, presented in a bulleted outline format with many high-yield tables and color figures. Features detailed explanations of disease mechanisms. Although, lengthy and non revisable, students find it difficult to memorize all its content. So it is advisable to go through BCQs of this book along with answers. Before reading this book, one needs to go through Audio lectures of its author along with Audio Transcripts. The Audio Transcripts are files which have explanatory content from authors lectures in written form. By this format, the content of book gets easy to understand. The content of the book is precise and high yield, because the content is based on bullet points, the mechanisms and concepts are explained in haphazard form for which it is recommended to have other review book as an aid most preferably Pathoma. The author of the Rapid Review Pathology has added every important and up-to- date point for the given topic in a consolidated pattern, which other review books lacks. One quality about this book is that, it is not pure pathology unlike Pathoma, BRS and Big Picture Pathology. It is pathophysiology and also contains content from Histology, Physiology,
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Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pharmacology. All BCQs come word by word from this book. Recommended for those appearing in Pathology. Fundamentals of Pathology Pathoma 1 st
Edition Dr. Husain Abdul Sattar A new entry book in the subject of pathology. Within two years of its launch this book got rating next to Goljan Pathology. This is concise and short review book for pathology but rich in pathologic slides and pictures. Its content is focused on the basic principles of pathology integrated with histopathology, biochemistry and physiology. The content is high yield. This book comes with multimedia lectures of its author. Understanding of concepts gets easy by going through video lectures of its author. This book cannot be compared with BRS Pathology and Goljan Pathology, the reason being that this book serves as an aid to understand other review books specifically BRS Pathology and Goljan Pathology.
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Pathology Illustrated 7 th Edition Robin Reid A book with content on pure pathology. Concise, detailed drawn illustrations of mechanisms and step by step understanding of concepts by simplified presentation of topics. No pathological slides and pictures. The content includes qualitative briefing rather than quantitative explanations or outlined contents that distinguish it from textbooks and review books. This book cannot be compared with Pathoma, BRS Pathology or Goljan Pathology, the reason being that at most of topics the Author has used a contemporary pattern in designation of headlines which is not found in any other current book of pathology. Not Recommended.
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Pathology Kaplan Part of Kaplan Series for USMLE Step 1. This Book is based on video lectures of Authors. The pattern of content is based more on medicine rather than pure pathology. This book lacks in key high yield points, microscopic and macroscopic slides, but with the availability of other high yield review books, this book is not recommended. Rubin's Pathology Clinicopatholog ic Foundations of Medicine 6 th Edition Raphael Rubin MD At first sight, readers might think this as incorrect title of Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. But this is Rubins Pathology. A high yield textbook of pathology which surpass any other current book of pathology when it comes to volume of content and simplicity of its presentation. This is a pure reference book, and is referred to solve critical questions with concept. This book has the finest and updated collection of microscopic and macroscopic pictures and slides which are used by boards, authors and publishers. Its pictures content is very helpful for students who opt for USMLE.
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Pathology The Big Picture McGraw Hill If you want a streamlined and definitive look at Pathology - one with just the right balance of information to give you the edge at exam time - turn to Pathology: The Big Picture. You'll find a succinct, user-friendly presentation especially designed to make even the most complex concept understandable in the shortest amount of study time possible. When compared in terms of information for the given topic, it lacks behind Pathoma, BRS pathology and Rapid Review Pathology, the reason being that unlike the later three books, the text of The Big Picture is not bullet or outline format, and instead the text is concept oriented, with less than required information for the given topic. Not Recommended
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Physiology 5 th Edition Linda S. Costanzo Clear, consistent, and user-friendly, the updated edition of Physiology, by renowned physiology instructor Dr. Linda Costanzo, offers a comprehensive overview of core physiologic concepts at the organ system and cellular levels. It presents information in a short, simple, and focused manner, making it an ideal combination textbook and review guide. This is a pure reference book. BRS Physiology 5 th Edition Linda S. Costanzo This is a short review book which is edited from textbook of physiology by the same author. This book has not covered important topics including Hemodynamic, Endocrinology, CVS and Renal Physiology for which textbook of its author or other books are recommended. All BCQs come word by word from this book. Physiology KAPLAN Why another Book for Physiology? The reason being in a secret that, all KAPLAN series comes with video lectures of their authors, which makes concepts easily. The chapters on Hemodynamic, Endocrinology, CVS and Renal Physiology are best explained. Without going through this book, one cannot conceptualize and interpret Physiology.
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Physiology The Big Picture McGraw Hill This excellent, no-frills approach to physiology concepts is designed to help students review the basic concepts associated with physiology. The information is concise, accurate and timely. If a student doesnt have unlimited study time Medical Physiology: The Big Picture is exactly what you need! With an emphasis on what you need to know versus what's nice to know, and enhanced with 450 full-color illustrations, it offers a focused, streamlined overview of medical physiology. You'll find a succinct, user-friendly presentation designed to make even the most complex concepts understandable in a short amount of time. When compared in terms of high yield, this book comes in third after KAPLAN and BRS. This book specifically emphasizes on clinical physiology making it an optional for selected review.
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First Aid USMLE Step 1 2014 McGraw Hill The world's bestselling medical review book, with more than 1,200 frequently tested facts and mnemonics. Students are perplexed regarding subjects of Bio Statistics, Histology, Pharmacology, Microbiology & Immunology, Biochemistry & Genetics and Behavioral Sciences. Very few questions come on all these subjects for which its not wise to go through all review books. First Aid is good enough for all subjects mentioned above. Every time questions on these subjects are repeated, these questions can easily be referred from past papers and BCQs books. First Aid is one of Series of basic science subjects of USMLE Step 1 from McGraw-Hill which pioneers in publishing high yield content in short review books. The content of book is high yield with key points for most of topics. As it is one book with content from all basic science subjects, some high yield points are not accommodated for which it is required by the student to add as side notes concurrently with video lectures and review book. 2014 edition of First Aid has comparatively less errors and high yield as compared to 2013 and past editions. This Book comes with video lectures under the title of Doctors In Training.
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Board Review Series Lippincott Williams & Wilkins A book of BRS series has one thing in common, the content is outlined, with maximum clinical correlations. Non revisable and difficult to memorize. Optional if time is not constrained. High Yield Series Lippincott Williams & Wilkins This series is a short review book of BRS Series. It is used when timings before an exam is limited. The content is less then what BRS offers. Some of its books are worth read like Histology, Embryology, Anatomy and Neuroanatomy. Kaplan Series Kaplan The only series of books of basic science subjects recommended for USMLE Step 1. The pattern is based more on theoretical content integrated with required clinical correlations. Some of its books are worth read like Anatomy and Physiology. The Big Picture McGraw Hill This series of The Big Picture from McGraw Hill publishes review books in the subjects of Histology, Microbiology, Gross Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. The content of the book bridges between the review books and textbooks making it a best option for selective review. Some of its books are worth read like Pathology and Physiology. The Reviews of other books for subjects like Bio Statistics, Histology, Pharmacology, Microbiology & Immunology, Biochemistry & Genetics and Behavioral Sciences are not done. The reason being that, very few questions come on all these subjects, and they are kept as minor subjects.
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Aclands Video Atlas of Human Anatomy Lippincott Williams & Wilkins This collection of videos is useful in understanding the gross anatomy. The student should go through videos region wise and then study it from the book. This mode of study helps the student to interpret anatomical relations easily. Dr Najeebs Video Lectures Dr Najeeb To save time in making your concepts, it is recommended to go through video lectures of Dr. Najeeb for all the subjects. Each video may be listened for 1 to 2 times, comparatively the topic gets readily understandable and can be memorized for long. Video Lectures on Neuroanatomy is recommended. Kaplans Videos of Step 1 USMLE Kaplan Kaplan is most popular among students of USMLE as its content is based on KAPLAN USMLE Step 1 books. The content of video lecture is more than what is available in Kaplan Series. Some of video lectures are recommended like Anatomy and Physiology.
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Pathomas Video Lectures Dr. Husain Abdul Sattar This is a collection of video lectures by its Author. The content of video follows the pattern of book, with explanation of key concepts of histopathology, biochemistry and physiology integrated with pathology. The content of video lectures is explained on multimedia presentations. In video lectures, each topic of the Pathoma Book is co related with the basics and then high yield points are explained in a very simplified pattern. Goljans Audio Lectures Edward F. Goljan MD This is a collection of audio lectures by its Author. The content of the lectures closely follows the pattern of the Book. The student needs to read Audio Transcripts concurrently with Audio Lectures. The Audio Transcripts are transcribed from Audio Lectures of the Author in written format. In Audio lectures, each topic of the Goljan Book is explained in a simplified lecture format.
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First Aid USMLE Step 1 2013 Doctors In Training This is a series of video lectures which follows the pattern of First Aid topic wise. The content of the lecture is integrated with mnemonics, animations and a set of questions at the end of each lecture. The one quality of this series is that the Lecturers have kept one aim in focus, i.e. to deliver lectures combined with high yield and humor. The videos are recommended concurrently with the First Aid Book.
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BCQs Books
BCQs books are based on past papers. One easily gets confused as which BCQs Book is best. So one no need to worry about the selection, as there is 40-60 % similarity in the BCQs of all books. As they dont make BCQs by their own, instead they compile data from different sources. Regarding authenticity of the correct answers, one should not rely solely on their answer keys, as there are many errors within them, and one should use his knowledge and interpretation capability to rectify them. Azeem Shaikh BCQs
Azeem Shaikh
The only BCQs book which have explanatory answers at the end of BCQs section. The reasoning at each answer makes it easy to exclude the incorrect options. Bio Statistics answers are with solution. Secrets of FCPS Handy Points Dr. Rabia Ali A new addition in the compilation of past papers in 2013. It comes with important outlined content at the end of each BCQs section as Handy Points. Chandkians Pool Chandkian s Amongst few publications who introduced the concept of BCQs Compilation from past papers. The BCQs are arranged year wise and according to specialty. Asim and Shoaib Asim and Shoaib Its BCQs are according to specialty subjects and comes in three series. Asim & Shaoib for Medicine Asim & Shaoib for Surgery Asim & Shaoib for Gynecology S Murad S Murad The BCQs are categorized subject wise.
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QBank USMLE Step 1. Kaplan The QBank comes with a set of usually 5 books. Each book has block of questions which are arranged subject wise. The questions are scenario based as opposed to FCPS which emphasizes more on knowledge based straightforward questions. Each question in QBank is answered with explanations. Questions on the subject of Embryology, Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, and Pathology are recommended.
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Suggestions from the past successful students for the choice of set of books for same subject. Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 1. BRS Pathology 2. BRS Physiology 3. Snell Review of Anatomy 4. Exam Oriented Neuroanatomy 5. High Yield Embryology 6. First Aid USMLE 1. BRS Pathology 2. Kaplan Physiology 3. Kaplan Anatomy 4. First Aid USMLE 1. Goljan Pathology 2. Snell Review of Anatomy 3. High Yield Embryology 4. Exam Oriented Neuroanatomy 5. Kaplan Physiology 6. First Aid USMLE Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 1. Goljan Pathology 2. Snell Review of Anatomy 3. High Yield Neuroanatomy 4. High Yield Embryology 5. Kaplan Physiology 6. First Aid USMLE 1. Goljan Pathology 2. Clinical Anatomy by Regions Snell 3. High Yield Neuroanatomy 4. BRS Physiology 5. First Aid USMLE 1. Pathoma 2. Clinical Anatomy by Regions Snell 3. High Yield Neuroanatomy 4. Kaplan Physiology 5. First Aid USMLE The above 6 recommendations are among many options which students plan for their studies. Short books have one drawback that they have outlined content, which are written as it is without their head and tail, unlike other standard text books in which you can understand the concept and highlight the important content and such knowledge lasts in memory for long periods.
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Rating of Books for the preparation of Exam of FCPS part 1 Rating Method Text/Topic Content Range of topics covered by book Embryology Topics of system wise embryology covered by book Clinical Correlations Range of clinical correlations for a particular structure or organ covered by book Neuroanatomy Topics of Neuroanatomy covered by book Readability It refers to the volume of content and the ability of student to revise them. A good score means the book is concise with easy to understand text and revisable. A low score means the book has large volume of content, complex text or outlined text and non revisable.
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Students Rating for Anatomy Books for FCPS Part 1 Exam Title Text/Topic Content Embryology Clinical Correlations Neuro anatomy Readability Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Clinical Anatomy By Regions 9th Edition 8 4 7 2 6 Clinical Anatomy 4 th Edition An illustrated review with questions and explanations 5 1 4 1 7 Kaplan Anatomy 5 5 5 7 9 BRS Gross Anatomy 7 th Edition 6 4 9 2 4 KL Moore 9 5 7 4 3 Grays Anatomy Students Edition 9 4 5 3 3
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Students Rating for Neuroanatomy Books for FCPS Part 1 Exam Title Text/Topic Content Embryology Clinical Correlations Readability Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Clinical Neuroanatomy 7th Edition 8 3 4 4 BRS Neuroanatomy 4 th Edition 9 5 9 3 Exam oriented Neuroanatomy 3 rd Edition 6 2 5 8 High Yield Neuroanatomy 5 3 5 7
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Students Attempting for specialized subjects There is not even a single question which comes from Clinical Subjects except those students who opt for Anesthesiology, Community Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Dentistry and Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ENT) who may require reading from standard authors for that subject. In addition, each specialized subject needs the candidates to focus in their specific region wise anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and pathology in basic science subjects. Do Clinical Subjects come in FCPS Part 1 exam Sometimes students think that, they need to study Baileys and Love for surgery and Davidson for medicine, which is totally wrong. This part 1 is related to all subjects up to 3 rd prof or 4 th year, which are basic medical science subjects.
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How to schedule study Take out a day or more for orientation with fellows and seniors. The time remaining from the given date of exam is very important, as it convince you to decide about optimum selection of books and timings of study. A group of 2 or more has its benefit. If possible join any nearby library. It is recommended to give at least 2 hours regularly to BCQs Book, It is not necessarily to solve them. The aim is to get orientation of the exam and the format of questions, which helps you to plan your way of reading and marking important points accordingly. First select the subjects which are difficult. Anatomy comes in mind immediately. The reason being that it was studied in first and second years and need to go through again. Start with Embryology. It is recommended to have video lectures first before going through the text. Selection of videos is individual. By having multimedia orientation it gets easy by then. Use markers and high lighters to mark the important lines. A minimum of 2 readings is recommended for every book. The 3 rd
reading is given before exams. The next subject to be selected for study is either Neuroanatomy or Gross Anatomy according to students choice and taste. Neuroanatomy is recommended. Same pattern of reading is applied to every subject. The next subject to be selected is Physiology. Then turn comes for Pathology. Do your best to complete all the subjects at the earliest. All subjects except First Aid should be completed 30 to 40 days before exam. Now comes turn for 3 rd
reading of each subject in the order they were started. After revising every subject, its time to do First Aid and BCQs Books. Avoid taking part in groups or page on social networks for solving questions, because the input is high as compared to low yield output. And the student might be
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These Guidelines are revised and updated periodically with key suggestions and advice of the successful students and teachers.
puzzled or confused by seeing many answers for the same question. Except last 4 exams of Part1 whose questions do not come in publications of BCQs Book, and one needs to rely on different sources to get their compilation. When to give Part 1 FCPS There is a trend going on that every fresh pass out opts to give part 1, as they follow the advice of their seniors to have orientation of the way the exam is conducted, but only few of them pass out in their first attempt. The reason being that either they were committed students during their under graduation and have started their prep in their house job or they have luck. The best time to give part 1 is that the student must be sure and satisfied that s/he can solve all the past papers with the least mistakes. At this level of preparation, one can easily pass the exam of FCPS Part 1.
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/fcpspastpaper/276130655859324/ (The above link refers to compilation of 11200 BCQs)
https://www.facebook.com/FcpsPart1BcQs?ref=hl (The above link refers to Page)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fcpspastpaper/files/ (The above link refers to Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fcpspastpaper/277284375743952/ (The above link refers to download PDF version of Medical Books)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fcpspastpaper/298684316937291/ (The above link refers to Goljan Audio Transcript)