USMLE Step 2 CS Core Cases Third Edition

Yes, I took and passed Step 2 CS. And when I started studying I had lots of questions. Like in the CS when I examine a system, do I do complete exam or just a focussed one. For example pneumonia, can I just do fremitus to check for consolidation or will they take off if I don't also do egophony and/or whispered pectoriloquy? Anyway, we all have a zillion little stupid questions and this book answered many of them. First Aid for Step 2 CS, in my opinion, is still a must have book to practice cases with a partner. But, this Kaplan book is also very helpful. The first 64 pages answer lots of nuts and bolts Q's about what is expected. The cases are not designed too well for going over with a partner, but are great for solo practice. When my partner and I could not meet I would just go through the Kaplan book cases myself, take written notes from them like I would in a live encounter, then practice typing in my notes on the USMLE note practice template with a timer (if you don't already know, the exact CS exam computer format for writing the post encounter note is available on the Step 2 CS section of the website). That was my weak spot from the beginning, getting my HPI, Ddx and lab orders typed in time. The Kaplan cases were great for practice for that.Bottom line: I used both First Aid and Kaplan. They are both short enough to get through with no problem and they both have stuff the other is lacking. I am super glad I went ahead and got this book.

this book is fairly strong in the CIS component (humanistics for PE) and physical exam. However, you should still use the First Aid CS book to the ICE (both the full case and mini-case). you need to be able to generate a good differential, be able to support your differential, and order the workup for your top 3 differential.Neither FA nor the kaplan CS book alone covered all 12 cases on the real exam. but if you used both FA and Kaplan CS. you going to be able to tickle 9-11 of the cases. One important things about the CS is that you need to have a good time management, practicing the patient encounter, and typing the patient notes with live study partner. spend no last than 2.5 weeks for your exam, because, some of the diagnosis can be quite vague and convoluted, it's very different from your "third year patient encounter".

Dr. Brottman is an excellent writer and teacher. I like this book and have no complaints about its content. I would have rated a five star just based on its content.However, the book is printed in poor quality. I have bought many Kaplan books including Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3. The moment I opened this book, I immediately noticed four "odd" pages - these pages were all printed on one piece of paper with another half page attached to it! So half page was printed on one piece of paper and another half was on the half-sized wrinkled paper. And that is not all. I hope Kaplan Medical will not "downgrade" its quality on printing.---------------------------December 28, 2013To follow up on this issue, I contacted Kaplan Book Service and provided them with the evidence. They gave me the credit for another Kaplan book. I am happy with their customer service. I revised the review from three-star to four-star.Looks like this might be an isolated incident. All the other books I got from Kaplan are in good quality.

Great book. Had EVERY case we encountered on test day, and they were almost exactly like as presented in this book. Of course the book has more than the 12 you see on the actual skills exam day, but wow these cases were so similar to the exam day I almost felt I was in a dream. If you use this, and then go over your notes from it you will absolutely destroy CS. I also used First Aid CS as well, and got benefits from both. Of note, the actual write up on test day is only 10 minutes and you have to support your differentials with exam maneuvers/questions you actually asked, so be sure to practice ahead of time. You really will do great and feel great leaving the exam. This book really was excellent.

I really like this book, it has everything you need to be prepared for CS. The cases are great and it implements the new format of note writing. I thought the physical exam section was exceptional, it goes from head to toe and it explains how to do some of the special tests/maneuvers (i.e. Murphy's sign, Rovsing's sign, etc) for each system. It is lacking the mini cases like FA step 2CS (which I think is excellent for coming up with quick ddx). If you have the time, combine both FA and this book to prep for CS.

There are several required, and often pointless, steps during a Step 2 CS clinical exam that you MUST perform to pass this exam. Medical students incorrectly assume that in-hospital exam technique can be directly applied - this is wrong. Many intelligent, clinically savvy students have failed (or nearly failed) this exam because they were improperly prepared. Don't worry, with this text and solid understanding of PE skills, you can master and pass exam with 2 days of preparation. Excellent explanations, many great practice cases.

My headline says it all. If you have trouble coming up with reasons for you differentials then it helps but the cases are too easy when compared to the actual exam. The first part of the book was very helpful in their explanations with regards to patient interaction but First Aid does a better job of covering the challenging questions that the CS patients tend to ask. It is a well written book and it will help you study but First Aid should be your primary resource.

They explained F.aid mini cases at appendix C. They also adapt to the new format and give brief explanations on how to act with SPs in the new format. FAid got me confused on how deal better with PN and the Interpersonal and communication skills. This book helps with that. First Aid minicases are awesome still. I think a combination of both books and the USMLE.org practice material, plus timing yourself will help you ace the exam.

ho comprato questo manuale in vista del concorso di specializzazione del 2017 che dovrebbe vertere su casi clinici. il manuale in questione, in realtà, è poco applicabile alla preparazione dell'SSM17 in quanto esso è studiato per guidare gli aspiranti medici americani a fare un' ottima prova durante lo Step 2 dell' USMLE. Nonostante ciò, gli argomenti trattati e i casi clinici svolti possono diventare un'ottima guida alla ripetizione rapida e indolore degli argomenti più disparati. e chissà, se l' SSM17 va male stiamo già in pari per l'USMLE. ;)

Very good

This was a great book with a good refresher for what I needed to pass the CS. I recommend combining this book with first aid. The explanations for the core cases hits the high yield points. The thing that kind of threw me off was that kaplan presents very NARROW differentials where as FA is more broad...on the exam, I followed the FA's format for differentials.

COVERS ALL THE IMPORTANT TOPICS RELEVENTLY & CRISPLY.

FAに無いcaseを勉強できるのと、具体的な診察や問診のフレーズや例文も載っているのでnon nativeには為になる。