Why Your USMLE Step 1 Book Matters
The USMLE Step 1 is one of the most challenging exams you’ll ever take. It’s a comprehensive test of your knowledge of the basic sciences, and it’s a critical factor in getting into the residency program of your choice. That’s why choosing the right USMLE Step 1 book is so important. A good review book can help you focus your studying, identify your weaknesses, and learn the high-yield information you need to succeed on exam day.
But with so many options on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we have created this guide to the best usmle review books. This guide will break down the pros and cons of each book, so you can make an informed decision and find the perfect study partner for your needs.
How to Choose the Best USMLE Step 1 Book for You
Before we dive into the top picks, let’s talk about how to choose the right review book for your individual learning style and needs. Here are a few factors to consider:
- Your Learning Style: Are you a visual learner who benefits from diagrams and charts? Or do you prefer a more text-based approach? Some USMLE Step 1 books are more visually appealing than others, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your learning style.
- Your Budget: Let’s be real, medical school is expensive. Luckily, there are great review books available at a variety of price points. This guide will include options for every budget in this guide.
- Your Areas of Weakness: If you know you struggle with a particular subject, like biochemistry or pharmacology, you may want to choose a review book that provides extra in-depth coverage of that topic.
- Your Timeline: How much time do you have to study for the exam? If you’re on a tight schedule, you’ll want to choose a concise and high-yield review book. If you have more time, a more comprehensive USMLE Step 1 book might be a better choice.
The Best USMLE Step 1 Review Books of 2025
1. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
First Aid is often called the “bible” of Step 1 prep, and for good reason. It’s a comprehensive, high-yield review book that covers all the essential topics you need to know for the exam. The USMLE Step 1 First Aid book is packed with helpful mnemonics, diagrams, and charts to help you remember key information.
- Releast date: February 20th, 2025
- Price: $55
- Length: 864 pages
Pros
- Comprehensive: First Aid covers all the subjects tested on the USMLE Step 1.
- High-Yield: The book focuses on the most important and frequently tested concepts.
- Well-Organized: The information is presented in a clear and logical way, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
- Student-Authored: It’s written by students who have recently taken the exam, so they know what it takes to succeed.
Cons
- Dense: First Aid is packed with information, which can be overwhelming for some students.
- Requires Supplementation: While it’s a great review book, you’ll likely need to use other resources, like a question bank, to fully prepare for the exam.
Best For: Students who want a comprehensive, high-yield review book to serve as their primary study resource.
2. Kaplan USMLE Step 1 Lecture Notes
The Kaplan USMLE Step 1 books are a comprehensive set of seven books that cover all the subjects tested on the exam in great detail. Often used in conjunction with their video lectures, this series is designed to build a strong foundational understanding of the basic sciences from the ground up.
- Releast date: January 7th, 2025
- Price: $188
- Length: 2000 pages
Pros
- Very Detailed: The books offer in-depth explanations of concepts, which can be helpful for students who need more than just a high-yield review.
- Structured Approach: The series provides a structured, course-like approach to studying, which some students find very effective.
- Good Visuals: The books are printed in full color and include many high-quality diagrams and tables to aid understanding.
Cons
- Can Be Low-Yield: The level of detail can sometimes be excessive, leading you to spend time on topics that are unlikely to be tested.
- Costly: The full set of books can be expensive compared to single-volume review books.
Best For: Students who are several months out from their exam and want to build a very strong, detailed foundation of knowledge, or for those who learn best with a structured, course-like format.
3. Pathoma: Fundamentals of Pathology
Pathology is a huge component of the USMLE Step 1, and Pathoma is the go-to resource for mastering this challenging subject. Dr. Husain A. Sattar’s clear and concise explanations, combined with helpful diagrams and illustrations, make even the most complex pathology concepts easy to understand.
- Releast date: January 1st, 2021
- Price: $60
- Length: 218 pages
Pros
- Excellent Explanations: Dr. Sattar is a gifted teacher who can break down complex topics in a way that is easy to understand.
- High-Yield: Pathoma focuses on the most important pathology concepts for the USMLE Step 1.
- Engaging Videos: The book is accompanied by a series of video lectures that bring the material to life.
- Great for Visual Learners: The book is filled with helpful diagrams and illustrations.
Cons
- Focused on Pathology: As the name suggests, Pathoma only covers pathology. You’ll need other resources for the other subjects on the exam.
Best For: Students who want to build a strong foundation in pathology. It’s an essential resource for any student preparing for the USMLE Step 1.
4. BRS Physiology (Board Review Series)
Physiology is another high-yield subject on the USMLE Step 1, and BRS Physiology is an excellent resource for mastering it. The book is known for its clear and concise explanations, as well as its high-quality practice questions.
- Releast date: July 1st, 2022
- Price: $62
- Length: 336 pages
Pros
- Concise: BRS Physiology presents information in a clear and to-the-point manner.
- High-Yield: The book focuses on the most important physiology concepts for the exam.
- Practice Questions: It includes numerous practice questions at the end of each chapter to test your knowledge.
- Well-Organized: The book is well-organized and easy to navigate.
Cons
- Limited to Physiology: BRS Physiology only covers physiology, so you’ll need other resources for the other subjects on the exam.
Best For: Students who want a concise and high-yield review of physiology, with plenty of practice questions to test their knowledge.
Comparison of Top USMLE Step 1 Books
| Feature | First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 | Kaplan Lecture Notes | Pathoma | BRS Physiology |
| Subjects Covered | All subjects | All subjects (7-book set) | Pathology only | Physiology only |
| Best For | High-yield comprehensive review | In-depth foundational review | In-depth pathology review | High-yield physiology review |
| Format | Text-heavy with diagrams | Detailed text with videos | Text with video lectures | Text with practice questions |
| Strengths | Comprehensive, high-yield | Very detailed, structured | Clear explanations, engaging videos | Concise, high-quality questions |
| Weaknesses | Can be dense | Can be low-yield, costly | Limited to pathology | Limited to physiology |
Go Beyond the Books: Supercharge Your Step 1 Prep
A foundational review book is essential for Step 1, but its static pages can’t adapt to your unique learning needs. Integrating a versatile digital platform like Lecturio can transform your review process, making it more engaging and personalized.
Lecturio offers a complete digital ecosystem for your USMLE Step 1 preparation, built to go far beyond the capabilities of a printed book. It provides a full suite of interconnected study tools. You can master difficult subjects through:
- A library of concise video lessons taught by top medical educators, which distill complex information into manageable segments.
- A vast Qbank featuring thousands of board-style practice questions, each paired with detailed rationales to reinforce your understanding.
- An adaptive study planner helps map out your preparation timeline to keep you on track
- Mobile and offline functionality, which you can use to turn any free moment into a valuable study session.
By combining your trusted review book with an interactive platform like Lecturio, you create a more comprehensive and effective study strategy tailored for success on the USMLE Step 1.
The Final Verdict
Choosing the right USMLE Step 1 book is a personal decision. The best option for you will depend on your individual learning style, budget, and areas of weakness. However, the USMLE Step 1 books on this list are all excellent choices that have helped countless medical students succeed.
