Download USMLE – What`s it for

Chapters 5 & 6, and sample
questions at end of each chapter.
Bookmark figure 6.2 and refer to it
before studying each biochemical
pathway.
Continue Biochemistry
Assignments
Chapters 11, 12, 13 & questions
Chapter 7 & questions
Chapter 8 & questions, Review
Figure 6.2 again!
Chapter 9 & questions
Basic Metabolism
Day 2
Objective
Structure & Metabolism
of Carbohydrates
Glycolysis
Gluconeogenesis
Citric Acid Cycle
Hexose Monophosphate Chapter 10 & questions
Shunt
Read Through Section Introductory First Aid
Material from First Aid , and Skim
Section II
General overview of
material to be covered
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Source
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Skim reactions and focus on G6PD deficiency
Focus on start and end points, place in overall metabolism,
and regulation.
Study it by comparison to glycolysis. Know the reactions &
regulation unique to gluconeogenesis.
Know the start and end points, hormonal regulation, energy
yield, and various fates of pyruvate.
Details
Review the digestion of sugars and disorders of fructose,
galactose, and lactose metabolism. Spend more time on
glycogen metabolism, its regulation, and related disorders.
Use Figure 13.7 to memorize the glycogen storage diseases.
Understand the role of ATP. Know where the electron
transport chain, and oxidative phosphorylation occur and how
they fit into the overall metabolic scheme. Review the main
classes of cell receptors and signaling mechanisms.
Learn about the test, and how to best use First Aid as a
resource.
Source
Details
NBME CD-ROM or download Complete 150 sample questions, and note trouble areas to
from www.nbme.org
focus on.
General Overview & Begin Biochemistry
Assignments
Complete sample test materials
from NBME
Day 1
Objective
Self Assessment
1 hr
1 hr
1 hr
1.5 hrs
Est. Time
3 hrs
2.5 hrs
4 hrs
Est. Time
3 hrs
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Chapter 20, Sect. I-VII
Chapter 20, Sect. VII
Continue Biochemistry
Assignments
Chapters 1-4 & questions
Chapter 21 & questions
Cholesterol & Steroid
Metabolism
Steroid Hormones
Day 4
Objective
Protein & Enzymes
Digestion of Dietary
Proteins and Nitrogen
Metabolism
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Source
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Skim Chapters 18, 19
Phospholipids &
Glycolipids
Source
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Continue Biochemistry
Assignments
Chapter 17 & questions
Day 3
Objective
Lipid Metabolism
Learn the various pancreatic proteases and how they are
regulated. Understand transamination and oxidative
deamination, but don't memorize pathways. Spend more time
on urea cycle and ammonia metabolism focusing on figures
21.4, 21.11, 21.17.
Details
Become familiar with basic properties of amino acids, levels of
protein structure, hemoglobin, and collagen. For enzymes,
focus on appreciating ( not memorizing) the Michaelis-Menten
equation, types of enzyme inhibition, modes of enzyme
regulation, and the use of enzymes in clinical diagnosis.
Know the major enzyme deficiencies in steroid synthesis and
know where steroid receptors act in the cell. Study figures
20.19, 20.20.
Review cholesterol synthesis (esp. the role of HMG CoA
reductase) and its regulation. Understand synthesis and role
of bile salts. Review biology of lipoproteins and their role in
atherogenesis. Key figures are 20.12, 20.14, 20.16.
Gain a sense of what these are, but do not memorize
structures or pathways. Focus on related disorders instead,
using figures 18.10, 19.4.
Details
Focus on roles of pancreatic lipase and bile salts. Fatty acid
metabolism: know where synthesis occurs, relationship to
glucose metabolism, and role of triacylglycerols for storage of
fatty acids. Review mobilization of and oxidation of fatty acids.
Finally, carefully review eicosanoids, focusing on figure 17.20
2 hrs
Est. Time
4 hrs
1 hr
2 hrs
1 hr
Est. Time
3 hrs
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Glycosaminoglycans and Skim Chapters 14, 15
Glycoproteins
Chapters 27, 28
Chapter 29
Finish Biochemistry
Assignments
Chapters 24, 25, 26
General Pharmacology
Assignments
Chapters 1,2
Chapters 3-7
Nutrition and Vitamins
Nucleotide Metabolism
Day 6
Objective
Integrative Metabolism
Day 7
Objective
Pharmacokinetics &
Pharmacodynamics
Autonomic Drugs
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Source
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Source
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Source
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Continue Biochemistry
Day 5
Lippincott's Biochemistry
Objective
Assignments
Heme, Porphyrins,
Chapter 23
Serotonin, Histamine and
Catecholamines
Chapter 22
Metabolism of Amino
Acid Carbon Skeletons
Know different types of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors
cold. Study figures 3.3, 3.6, 4.2, 5.2, 6.15, 7.10.
Details
Study general principles of pharmacology. Specific agents will
be covered with relevant organ systems.
Details
Synthesize the information you've reviewed this week by
studying insulin, glucagon, the fed/starved states, and the
metabolic aspects of diabetes mellitus. Time spent on these
topics will be VERY WORTHWHILE.
Understand differences between de novo and salvage purine
synthesis. Study purine degradation and the pathophysiology
of gout and ADA deficiency. Study figures 29.7, 29.9, 29.10.
Know the daily energy requirements and vitamin deficiences.
Focus on absorption of vitamin B12 and pernicious anemia, as
well as vitamin D. Focus on figures 28.12, and 28.18.
Know what they are and know the related disorders. Don't get
too bogged down in details - just study figures 14.12 and 15.4,
then move on.
Details
Focus on the porphyrias and bilirubin metabolism. Focus on
figures 23.5 and 23.7.
Emphasize relevant disorders. Focus on figures 22.2, 22.16.
5 hrs
Est. Time
2 hrs
Est. Time
5 hrs
2 hrs
3 hrs
1 hr
Est. Time
1 hr
1 hr
Chapter 20
Chapter 34
Finish Microbiology
Assignments
Chapters 22-29
Chapter 37
Chapters 30, 31
Chapters 35, 36
Fungi
Antifungals
Day 10
Objective
Viruses
Antivirals
Parasites
Antiparasitics
Clinical Vignettes
Continue Microbiology
Assignments
Chapters 28-33
Day 9
Objective
Antibiotics
Begin Microbiology
Assignments
Chapters 1-15
Day 8
Objective
Bacteria
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Microbiology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Clinical Microbiology made
Ridiculously Simple
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Source
Clinical Microbiology made
Ridiculously Simple
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Clinical Microbiology made
Ridiculously Simple
Source
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Source
Clinical Microbiology made
Ridiculously Simple
Good for group study, and another way to keep sharpening
buzzword recall.
Review antiprotozoal and antihelminthic agents, particularly
multi-drug regimens
This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do
Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.
Review antiviral agents, particularly mechanisms of action.
Details
This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do
Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.
This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do
Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.
This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do
Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.
Details
This is high yield material, read, review and continue to do
Qbank questions to keep building buzzword associations.
Details
Rely heavily on charts. Start building buzzword associations
with characterisitics of each organism and how is identified
(with a special stain, culture medium, etc.) Also, time spent
with Qbank questions here will be golden.
3 hrs
1 hr
2 hrs
1 hr
Est. Time
6 hrs
1 hr
1.5 hrs
Est. Time
6 hrs
Est. Time
10 hrs
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Inflammation
Hemostasis
Genetic Disorders
Immune Dysfunction
Neoplasia
Environmental Pathology Chapter 7
Nutritional Disorders
Cellular Biology
Assignments
Chapters 30 - 33
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Day 12
Objective
DNA, RNA, Proteins
Cell Membranes
Nucleus
Chapter 8
BRS Pathology
Chapter 1
Cellular Injury
Details
Know mechanisms of DNA repair, different types/roles of
RNA, mechanism of translation, and molecular biology
techniques. Focus on figures 30.2, 30.16, 30.19, 30.22,
31.11, 32.9.
Review vitamin deficiencies to refresh biochem memory.
Quickly review
Distinguish between tumor suppressor genes & oncogenes,
know mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and the properties of
malignant cells.
Focus on immune deficiency disorders, autoimmunity, and
collagen vascular disease
Know coagulation cascade, types of embolism, and types of
shock.
Distinguish mechanisms and histologic characteristics of acute
vs. chronic inflammation.
Focus on mechanisms of cellular injury and differences
between necrosis & apoptosis
Details
Excellent, concise summary of immunology.
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know contents of nuclei, and RNA import/export mechanisms.
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know properties of membranes and membrane proteins.
Source
Lippincott's Biochemistry
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
Source
Medical Microbiology &
Immunology: Examination
and Board Review
Immunology & General Pathology
Assignments
Part VII
Day 11
Objective
Review Immunology
0.5 hr
1 hr
Est. Time
3.5 hrs
0.5 hr
0.5 hr
1 hr
0.5 hr
0.5 hr
1 hr
1 hr
0.5 hr
Est. Time
4 hrs
Chapters 1-4
Chapters 17, 18
Diagnostic Test
Thorax
Assignments
Chapters 5, 11
Chapter 2
(Also use
Netter's Atlas for reference)
Chapters 11, 15
Embryology
Birth Defects
Exam
Day 14
Objective
Embryology of thorax
Thoracic Anatomy
Histology of thoracic
viscera
Details
Know the congenital cardiac abnormalities, and fetal
circulation. Also understand the stages of fetal lung
maturation.
Good opportunity to identify weaknesses in organ system
areas.
Know stages from zygote through embryo. Review 3 Germ
cell layers and their derivative tissues.
Details
Know mechanisms of ion transport, action potentials.
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Be able to distinguish arteries and veins in cross section.
Understand architecture of the gas diffusion barrier in the
lungs.
High Yield Gross Anatomy
Source
BRS Embryology
Board Simulator Series Body Systems Review
BRS Embryology
BRS Embryology
Source
BRS Physiology
Cellular Physiology & General Embryology
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Review types of epithelia and locations of each. Review
connective tissue focusing on bone histology.
Assignments
Chapter 1
Chapters 5,6
Epithelia & Connective
Tissue
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know different types of collagen, basement membrane
composition, and other ECM components.
Day 13
Chapter 4
Extracellular Matrix
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Review organelles and function
Objective
Cell Physiology
Chapter 3
Cytoplasm
1 hr
3 hrs
Est. Time
3.5 hrs
2 hrs
1.5 hrs
3 hrs
Est. Time
1 hr
1.5 hrs
1 hr
0.5 hr
Chapter 13
Chapters 10, 12 (and a histologic
atlas for further review)
Histology of Bone
Marrow, Spleen, &
Lymph Nodes
Hemorrhagic Disorders
Volume 1: Cases 1-19, Volume 2:
Cases 52-66
Clinical Vignettes
Chapter 12
Chapter 22
Respiratory
Pharmacology
Hempatopoietic &
Lymphoreticular
Neoplasia
Chapter 14
Respiratory Pathology
Finish Hematology
Assignments
Chapter 4
Objective
Respiratory Physiology
Assignments
Chapter 11
Respiratory System & Begin Hematology
Day 16
Day 17
Chapters 16-19, 21
Cardiovascular
Pharmacology
Objective
Anemia
Chapter 9
Vascular Pathology
Good opportunity for group review.
Study this chapter thoroughly.
Details
Know the various lung volume measurements, and
understand acid - base disorders.
Know drugs used to treat CHF, HTN, arrhythmias, angina, and
hyperlipidemia.
Study this chapter thoroughly.
Study this chapter thoroughly.
Details
Review hemodynamics, electrophysiology, cardiac cycle,
blood pressure regulation, responses to exercise, volume loss,
altitude. Understand pre-load, after-load, Frank-Starling curve,
and conduction.
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
Source
BRS Pathology
Know how to diagnose and correct each disorder.
Distinguish between leukemia & lymphoma. Understand
different types of each.
Details
Know pathophysiology and lab differentiation of various
etiologies of anemias.
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Familiarize yourself with lymph node architecture, and
understand the spleen. Understand RBC, WBC, platelet
lineages.
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
BRS Pathology
Source
BRS Physiology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
Chapter 10
Cardiac Pathology
Source
BRS Physiology
Cardiovascular System
Assignments
Chapter 3
Day 15
Objective
Cardiovascular
Physiology
1 hr
2 hrs
Est. Time
2 hrs
3 hrs
2 hrs
0.5 hrs
1.5 hrs
Est. Time
1.5 hrs
5 hrs
1 hr
1.5 hrs
Est. Time
1.5 hrs
Gastrointestinal System
Assignments
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 24
Volume 1: Cases 40-73
Day 19
Objective
Gastrointestinal
Pathology
Hepatobiliary and
Exocrine Pancreatic
Pathology
GI Pharmacology
Clinical Vignettes
GenitoUrinary System
Chapter 6
GI Physiology
Assignments
Chapter 6
Histology of GI Tract
Day 20
Chapter 3 (Also refer to Netter's
atlas)
Abdominal Anatomy
Objective
Gastrointestinal System
Assignments
Chapters 10, 16
Volume 1: Cases 74-102
Clinical Vignettes
Day 18
Chapter 38
Anticancer Drugs
Objective
Embryology of Gut and
Body Cavities
Chapter 20
Drugs affecting
coagulation
Details
Understand rotation of gut and related malformations. Know
which structures are derived of foregut, midgut, hindgut, in
addition to vascular supplies.
Source
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
BRS Pathology
Source
BRS Pathology
BRS Physiology
Details
Good opportunity for group review.
Know GI drugs as well as antiemetics.
Study this chapter thoroughly.
Details
Study this chapter thoroughly.
Understand innervation of gut and gut hormones
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know layers of gut wall. Understand liver structure, portal
blood flow, and bile flow.
High Yield Gross Anatomy
Source
BRS Embryology
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Est. Time
2 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
Est. Time
2 hrs
1 hr
1.5 hrs
2 hrs
Est. Time
1.5 hrs
2 hrs
1.5 hrs
1.5 hrs
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Volume 2: Cases 30-51, and 83-103 Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
Endocrine System
Assignments
Chapter 13
Chapter 7
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Renal & Urinary Tract
Pathology
Male Reproductive
Pathology
Female Reproductive
Pathology
Clinical Vignettes
Day 22
Objective
Histology of Endocrine
System
Physiology
Insulin and oral
hypoglycemics
Steroid Hormones
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
BRS Physiology
Source
BRS Embryology
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
BRS Pathology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Chapter 23
Diuretics
Source
BRS Physiology
GenitoUrinary System
Know different types of insulin and their half lives. Know
classes of oral hypoglycemics and side effects.
Know hormonal axes
Details
Review structure of endocrine organs, and use an atlas for
additional pictures.
Good opportunity for group review.
Understand cervical, uterine cancer.
Know the different types of testicular cancer, and the biology
of BPH and prostate cancer
Study this chapter thoroughly.
Details
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Know the maturation sequence of spermatocytes and ovarian
follicles. Know the anatomy of the nephron.
Assignments
Chapter 5
Chapters 18, 19, 20
Histology of GU Organs
High Yield Gross Anatomy
Day 21
Chapters 4, 5
Anatomy of Pelvis and
Perineum
BRS Embryology
Objective
Renal Physiology
Chapters 6, 13, 14
Embryology of GU
Organs
1 hr
1.5 hrs
2.5 hrs
Est. Time
1 hr
2 hrs
1.5 hrs
1 hr
1.5 hrs
1.5 hrs
Est. Time
1.5 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
Body Systems III -
Nervous System
EXAM
Day 23
Nervous System
Assignments
Chapter 2
Chapter 23
Volume 2: Cases 45-61, Anatomy
Cases 40-56.
Chapters 8, 10, 11, 14, 15
Musculoskeletal System
Assignments
Chapter 15
Chapters 1, 6, 7 (also use Netter)
Chapters 7, 8, 10
Day 24
Neuropathology
Clinical Vignettes
Neuropharmacology
Day 25
Objective
Embryology
Anatomy of Limbs and
Back
Histology
Chapters 1-23
Neuroanatomy
Objective
Neurophysiology
High Yield Gross Anatomy
Chapter 8 (also refer to Netter)
Head & Neck Anatomy
Details
Review drugs used to treat epilepsy, Parkinson's. Also review
anesthetics and analgesics.
Good opportunity for group review.
Know types of CNS infections, tumors, and vascular disorders.
Details
Understand Synaptic transmission and axonal conduction
Details
Know branchial arches/clefts and their derivatives.
Understand the transition from neural plate to mature CNS.
Know fate of neural crest cells.
Tough questions, but great explanations. Well worth the time
to push yourself a bit and solidify the material you've learned.
Good opportunity for group review.
BRS Cell Biology & Histology Review histology of skin, muscle, bone, and cartilage
High Yield Gross Anatomy
Source
BRS Embryology
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
BRS Pathology
Source
BRS Physiology
High Yield Neuroanatomy
Source
BRS Embryology
Board Simulator Series Body Systems Review
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
Objective
Assignments
Embryology of Head,
Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10
Neck, & Nervous System
Test 1
Volume 1: Cases 25-38
Clinical Vignettes
2 hrs
3.5 hours
Est. Time
1 hr
3.5 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
Est. Time
2 hrs
6hrs
2 hrs
Est. Time
3 hrs
1.5 hrs
2 hrs
Anti-Inflammatory Agents Chapters 39, 40
and Autocoids
Lippincott's Pharmacology
2 hrs
Volume 3: Cases 9-18, and 96-104. Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Patho-physiology
Also Anatomy: Cases 62-84
Body Systems II - Test 1
Clinical Vignettes
Exam
Read entire book
Final Review & Exam Logistics
Assignments
Biostatistics
Day 28
Objective
Final Review
Rest & Relax
Exam Logistics
Chapters 9-12, 13
Psychotropic Drugs
Source
High Yield Biostatistics
Lippincott's Pharmacology
Source
Underground Clinical
Vignettes - Behavioral Sci.
Behavioral Sciences & Biostatistics
Assignments
All cases
Day 27
Objective
Clinical Vignettes
Board Simulator Series Body Systems Review
BRS Pathology
Chapter 22
Musculoskeletal
Pathology
Source
BRS Pathology
Musculoskeletal System
Assignments
Chapter 21
Day 26
Objective
Dermatologic Pathology
Prepare exam bag - with ID, ticket, directions to center, lunch.
Details
Review Any Remaining Topics and finish practice questions.
Understand sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV. Be prepared to
calculate risk, odds ratios, etc.
Details
Tough questions, but great explanations. Well worth the time
to push yourself a bit and solidify the material you've learned.
Good opportunity for group review.
Details
Focus on malignancies (melanoma, SCC, BCC) and refer to a
dermatology atlas so that you can differentiate between them.
Est. Time
4 hrs
4 hrs
3 hrs
Est. Time
3 hrs
2 hrs
2 hrs
1.5 hrs
Est. Time
1.5 hrs