The exam of FCPS part 1 is
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.
1
= Page 1 =
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 Richard S. While solving BCQs Book, you will be
Anatomy By Snell surprised to know that all BCQs
Regions come word by word from this book.
9th Edition 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 Snell’s
Anatomy for Medical Students. Its
content includes system wise
anatomy, embryology and clinical
correlations. The clinical portion of
this book is a must read. Best for
those appearing in Surgery & Allied
and Radiology.
Clinical Richard S. This is a short review book of
Anatomy Snell anatomy. Concise and revisable,
th
4 Edition although a number of topics and
An illustrated review clinical correlations are not covered.
with questions and
explanations Best for those appearing in Medicine
& Allied.
2
= Page 2 =
BRS Gross Kyung If the clinical correlations of all
Anatomy Won anatomy books are compiled then
th
7 Edition Chung 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 Kaplan Concise, easy to read with required
Anatomy clinical correlations. Gross Anatomy,
Embryology and Neuroanatomy are
described as separate chapters. For
Gross Anatomy a wide range of
topics are not covered and organ
relations are not well defined.
Embryology is short of topics and
low yield. Neuroanatomy portion is
concise, high yield with brief lecture
notes and revisable. Neuroanatomy
portion is recommended.
3
= Page 3 =
Clinical Richard S. The standard book for basic
Neuroanatomy Snell Neuroanatomy. With less clinical
7th Edition 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 James D. A high yield book of BRS series. The
Neuroanatomy Fix content is outlined which is more
th
4 Edition focused on clinical correlations. The
content is detailed and more than
for what is required for exams.
Exam oriented Merchant A concise review book with high
Neuroanatomy & yield content simplified by
Mehmood illustrations and charts and
exemplified by standard clinical
correlations. Best for FCPS, USMLE
and PLAB.
Langman’s T. W Sadler The content of book approaches
Embryology system wise, with easy to read text.
th
12 Edition 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.
BRS Pathology Arthur S. As in common with other BRS series
th
5 Edition Schneider its content is outlined. Although,
concise and revisable book, most of
times, the student needs the
textbook to clearly understand the
concepts. Comparatively less
pathological pictures and slides.
Most of BCQs come word by word
from this book. 4
= Page 4 =
Rapid Review Edward F. The only book, which is rated as A+
Pathology Goljan MD by students who opt for
Revised international medical exams.
Reprint Although non revisable, students
th
4 Edition 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 author’s
lectures. By this format, the content
of book gets easy to understand.
One quality about this book is that,
it is not pure pathology unlike
Pathoma and BRS. It is
pathophysiology and also contains
content from Histology, Physiology,
Biochemistry, Microbiology and
Pharmacology. All BCQs come word
by word from this book. Best for
those appearing in Pathology.
5
= Page 5 =
Fundamentals Dr. Husain A new entry book in the subject of
of Pathology Abdul pathology. This is concise and short
st
Pathoma 1 Sattar review book for pathology but rich
Edition in pathologic slides and pictures. Its
content is focused on basic
principles of pathology integrated
with biochemistry and physiology.
The content is high yield. This book
cannot be compared with BRS
Pathology and Goljan Pathology, the
reason being that Pathoma is the
first step for the student. This book
comes with multimedia lectures of
its author. Understanding of
concepts gets easy by going through
video lectures of its author.
Pathology Robin Reid A book with content on pure
Illustrated pathology. Concise, detailed drawn
th
7 Edition 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 some topics the
Author has used a contemporary
pattern in designation of headlines
which is not found in any other
current book of pathology. This book
is only referred to solve critical
questions.
6
= Page 6 =
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 Raphael At first sight, readers might think
Pathology Rubin MD this as incorrect title of Robbins
Clinicopatholog Pathologic Basis of Disease. But this
ic Foundations is Rubin’s Pathology. A high yield
of Medicine textbook of pathology which surpass
th
6 Edition 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 best
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.
Physiology Linda S. A textbook of physiology only used
th
4 Edition Costanzo for reference.
7
= Page 7 =
BRS Physiology Linda S. This is a short review book which is
5 Edition Costanzo edited from textbook of physiology
th
by 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.
8
= Page 8 =
First Aid McGraw Students are perplexed regarding
USMLEStep 1 Hill subjects of Bio Statistics, Histology,
2013 Pharmacology, Microbiology &
Immunology, Biochemistry &
Genetics and Behavioral Sciences.
Very few questions come on all
these subjects for which it’s 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.
2013 edition of First Aid has
comparatively less errors and high
yield as compared to 2012 and past
editions.
9
= Page 9 =
Board Review Lippincott A book of BRS series has one thing in
Series Williams & common, the content is outlined,
Wilkins with maximum clinical correlations.
Non revisable and difficult to
memorize. Optional if time is not
constrained.
High Yield Lippincott This series is a short review book of
Series Williams & BRS Series. It is used when timings
Wilkins 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 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.
10
= Page 10 =
Acland’s Video Lippincott This collection of videos is useful in
Atlas of Human Williams & understanding the gross anatomy.
Anatomy Wilkins 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 Najeeb’s Dr Najeeb To save time in making your
Video Lectures 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.
Kaplan’s Videos Kaplan Kaplan is most popular among
of Step 1 students of USMLE as its content is
USMLE 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.
Pathoma’s Dr. Husain This is a collection of video lectures
Video Lectures Abdul by its Author. The content of video
Sattar follows the pattern of book, with
explanation of key concepts of
histology, biochemistry and
physiology integrated with
pathology. The content of video is
high yield and more than what
comes in the topics of Pathoma
book.
11
= Page 11 =
Goljan’s Audio Edward F. This is a collection of audio lectures
Lectures Goljan MD 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
readable format.
12
= Page 12 =
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
don’t 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 Azeem The only BCQs book which have
BCQs Shaikh 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 Dr. Rabia A new addition in the compilation of
Handy Points Ali past papers in 2013. It comes with
important outlined content at the
end of each BCQs section as Handy
Points.
Chandkians Chandkian Amongst few publications who
Pool s introduced the concept of BCQs
Compilation from past papers. The
BCQs are arranged year wise and
according to specialty.
Asim and Asim and Its BCQs are according to specialty
Shoaib Shoaib 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.
13
= Page 13 =
QBank USMLE Kaplan The QBank comes with a set of
Step 1. 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.
14
= Page 14 =
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 1. BRS Pathology 1. Goljan Pathology
2. BRS Physiology 2. Kaplan 2. Snell Review of
3. Snell Review of Physiology Anatomy
Anatomy 3. Kaplan Anatomy 3. High Yield
4. Exam Oriented 4. First Aid USMLE Embryology
Neuroanatomy 4. Exam Oriented
5. High Yield Neuroanatomy
Embryology 5. Kaplan
6. First Aid USMLE Physiology
6. First Aid USMLE
Option 4 Option 5 Option 6
1. Goljan Pathology 1. Goljan Pathology 1. Pathoma
2. Snell Review of 2. Clinical Anatomy 2. Clinical Anatomy
Anatomy by Regions Snell by Regions Snell
3. High Yield 3. High Yield 3. High Yield
Neuroanatomy Neuroanatomy Neuroanatomy
4. High Yield 4. BRS Physiology 4. Kaplan
Embryology 5. First Aid USMLE Physiology
5. Kaplan 5. First Aid USMLE
Physiology
6. 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.
15
= Page 15 =
Rating of Books for the preparation of Exam of FCPS part 1
Rating Method The book with good score means it has covered a wide
range of topics for that subject
Text/Topic Content Range of topics covered by book
Embryology Topics of system wise embryology covered by book
Clinical Range of clinical correlations for a particular structure
Correlations 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.
16
= Page 16 =
Students Rating for Anatomy Books for FCPS Part 1 Exam
Title Text/Topic Embryology Clinical Neuro Readability
Content Correlations anatomy
Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10
Clinical 8 4 7 2 6
Anatomy
By Regions
9th Edition
Clinical 5 1 4 1 7
Anatomy
th
4 Edition
An illustrated
review with
questions and
explanations
Kaplan 5 5 5 7 9
Anatomy
BRS Gross 6 4 9 2 4
Anatomy
th
7 Edition
KL Moore 9 5 7 4 3
Grays 9 4 5 3 3
Anatomy
Student’s
Edition
17
= Page 17 =
Students Rating for Neuroanatomy Books for FCPS Part 1 Exam
Title Text/Topic Embryology Clinical Readability
Content Correlations
Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10 Out of 10
Clinical 8 3 4 4
Neuroanatomy
7th Edition
BRS 9 5 9 3
Neuroanatomy
th
4 Edition
Exam oriented 6 2 5 8
Neuroanatomy
rd
3 Edition
High Yield 5 3 5 7
Neuroanatomy
18
= Page 18 =
Students There is not even a single question which comes
Attempting for from Clinical Subjects except those students who
specialized opt for Anesthesiology, Community Medicine,
subjects 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 Sometimes students think that, they need to study
Subjects come Baileys and Love for surgery and Davidson for
in FCPS Part 1 medicine, which is totally wrong. This part 1 is
th
rd
exam related to all subjects up to 3 prof or 4 year,
which are basic medical science subjects.
19
= Page 19 =
How to Take out a day or more for orientation with
schedule study 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
rd
readings is recommended for every book. The 3
reading is given before exams. The next subject to
be selected for study is either Neuroanatomy or
Gross Anatomy according to student’s 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
rd
to 40 days before exam. Now comes turn for 3
reading of each subject in the order they were
started. After revising every subject, it’s 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
20
= Page 20 =
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 There is a trend going on that every fresh pass out
Part 1 FCPS 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.
These Guidelines are revised and updated
periodically with key suggestions and advice of
the successful students and teachers.
Courtesy : Dr-Dileep Kumar
No comments:
Post a Comment