GUIDELENES FOR FCPS PART 1

2014
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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.

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
4th Edition

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.

An illustrated review
with questions and
explanations

BRS Gross
Anatomy
7th 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.

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
4th 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
12th 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.

BRS Pathology
5th 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.

Rapid Review
Pathology
Revised Reprint
4th 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-todate
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,
6

Biochemistry, Microbiology and

Pharmacology. All BCQs come word
by word from this book.
Recommended for those appearing in
Pathology.
Fundamentals
of Pathology
Pathoma 1st
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.

Pathology
Illustrated
7th 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.

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
6th 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.

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

Physiology 5th
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.

10

BRS Physiology
5th 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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.
14

Aclands Video
Atlas of Human
Anatomy

Lippincott
Williams &
Wilkins

Dr Najeebs
Video Lectures

Dr Najeeb

Kaplans Videos
of Step 1
USMLE

Kaplan

Pathomas
Video Lectures

Dr. Husain
Abdul
Sattar

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.
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.
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.
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.
15

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.

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.

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.
16

Azeem Shaikh
BCQs

Azeem
Shaikh

Secrets of FCPS Dr. Rabia

Handy Points
Ali

Chandkians
Pool

Chandkian
s

Asim and
Shoaib

Asim and
Shoaib

S Murad

S Murad

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.
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.
Amongst few publications who
introduced the concept of BCQs
Compilation from past papers. The
BCQs are arranged year wise and
according to specialty.
Its BCQs are according to specialty
subjects and comes in three series.
Asim & Shaoib for Medicine
Asim & Shaoib for Surgery
Asim & Shaoib for Gynecology
The BCQs are categorized subject
wise.

17

USMLE Step 1
QBank

Kaplan

The QBank is an online question

bank from KAPLAN. It comes with a
set of 5 printed books. Each book
has a block of questions which are
arranged subject wise. The
questions are scenario based as
opposed to FCPS part 1 which
emphasizes more on knowledge
based questions. Each question in
QBank is answered with
explanations. What makes QBank
different from the past papers and
BCQs Books is that the QBank
follows the pattern of the books
from which the students do their
preparation, and the explanations of
answers of QBank helps in recalling
the points which students miss in
the review books. Recommended.

USMLE Step 1
QBank

USMLE
World

The USMLEWorld is an online

question bank for USMLE Step 1. It
comes with a set of 5 printed books.
The questions are included from all
the basic science subjects. The
pattern of questions is scenario
based with answers and
explanations following each
question. The questions are high
quality and the explanations help
the student to recall the points
which are missed. Recommended.

18

Suggestions from the past successful students for the choice of set of
books for same subject.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Option 1
BRS Pathology
BRS Physiology
Snell Review of
Anatomy
Exam Oriented
Neuroanatomy
High Yield
Embryology
First Aid USMLE

1.
2.
3.
4.

Option 2
BRS Pathology
Kaplan
Physiology
Kaplan Anatomy
First Aid USMLE

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Option 4
Goljan Pathology
Snell Review of
Anatomy
High Yield
Neuroanatomy
High Yield
Embryology
Kaplan
Physiology
First Aid USMLE

Option 5
1. Goljan
Pathology
2. Clinical Anatomy
by Regions Snell 3.
High
Yield
Neuroanatomy
4. BRS Physiology
5. First Aid USMLE

Option 3
Goljan Pathology
Snell Review of
Anatomy
High Yield
Embryology
Exam Oriented
Neuroanatomy
Kaplan
Physiology
First Aid USMLE

Option 6
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.

19

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.

20

Students Rating for Anatomy Books for FCPS Part 1 Exam

Title

Text/Topic Embryology Clinical

Neuro
Content
Correlations anatomy
Out of 10 Out of 10
Out of 10
Out of 10

Readability
Out of 10

Clinical
8
Anatomy
By Regions
9th Edition

Clinical
Anatomy
4th Edition

Kaplan
Anatomy
BRS Gross
Anatomy
7th Edition
KL Moore

Grays
Anatomy

An illustrated
review with
questions and
explanations

Students
Edition

Students Rating for Neuroanatomy Books for FCPS Part 1 Exam

Title

Text/Topic
Content

Embryology Clinical
Readability
Correlations

Out of 10

Out of 10

Out of 10

Out of 10

21

Clinical
8
Neuroanatomy
7th Edition

BRS
9
Neuroanatomy
4th Edition

Exam oriented 6
Neuroanatomy
3rd Edition

High Yield
5
Neuroanatomy

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 3rd prof or 4th year,
which are basic medical science subjects.

22

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 3rd
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 3rd
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
23

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.

*These Guidelines are revised and updated periodically with key suggestions and advice
of the successful students and teachers.

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