Brosencephalon: USMLE Flashcard Reviews

5285 Views
USMLE Step 1 & Step 2 CK Resource Reviews: Brosencephalon
If you have begun studying for the USMLE (or have read our other posts in this series), chances are that you already know the importance of flashcards– and that there are many great flashcard resources out there. But are all Step 1 resources created equal? The answer is no.
We’ve sent some of our most experienced tutors to test out different flashcard sites to let you know how effective they actually are. Today we are reviewing Brosencephalon, whose tagline is, “Thoughts, ideas, and resources for Medical Education.” But just how great is the Brosencephalon resource?
Brosencephalon
Cost: Free
Related Articles
Read MoreOur Grading:
Overall: A
Thoroughness: A
Fun: B
Efficiency: B+
Customizability: A+
Pros:
- Spaced repetition makes memorization efficient and effective
- Familiar format for most medical students: if you know how to use Anki you won’t need to learn any new software interfaces.
- Meticulously organized
- Includes flashcards for Sketchy Medical
- 13,000 cards = 7,000 less cards than Zanki
- Four years and four versions worth of errata makes for a well-oiled machine
Cons
- Still a lot of cards…
- No pre-division requires some up-front work to make specific decks for yourself (although the meticulous organization above makes this relatively easy)
Where do I find them?
https://www.brosencephalon.com/flashcards
Our Tutor’s Opinion
Similar to Zanki, Brosencephalon is a free collection of 13320 anki cards based off of First Aid and Pathoma that was originally posted to Reddit in 2014. Over the years the Reddit and medical community at large has edited and perfected this deck. When you download this deck, it will not be pre-divided.
This is to achieve two things:
- Reduce the risk of sync errors in Anki (which increases with more subdecks), and
- Give students more control of the decks by separating them themselves by tag based on their needs.
This is done in the card browser, but does require more student work. To create a new deck, the student needs to open the card browser and navigate to the tag on the left and select it – this will pull up all the cards with that tag in the main panel. They can then select the cards they want to move to a new deck and hit change deck on the top menu bar. Thankfully, these cards are beautifully divided by tag, and in a hierarchical system, and it is very easy to find specific subjects to separate and review based on First Aid (see below).
The cards are extremely well crafted, and and follow all the golden rules of good Anki cards. They also include helpful pictures and diagrams (mix of google images or First Aid screenshots) every 5 cards or so, and, because this is in Anki, you can add your own pictures or information should they wish. In the newest version we reviewed (v1.5), cards are black with red answers, making it easier on the eyes. A sample question looks like the following:
Note of warning:
For Brosencephalon, Zanki, or Anki users: spaced repetition is only efficient and effective if you stay up to date with your cards. If you do 200 new cards each day, this means you will have ~200 new cards the next day, plus whatever old cards are new that day, so proceed with caution when choosing how many new cards to do a day. If you do not keep up with your cards each day, you are missing out on the ability to take full advantage of your efforts put into reviewing the cards in the first place! If you know you are the type of person that won’t be able to keep up with your cards, another resource is your best bet.
For additional questions on how to use Brosencephalon properly for your Step 1 and Step 2 studies, feel free to contact one of our experienced USMLE tutors.
Need additional
help with your exam?
Enter your info to hear from a member of our team and discuss if 1-on-1 tutoring is right for you.
About the Author
Elite Medical Prep
The Elite Medical Prep team consists of MD and MD candidate tutors from the top medical schools and residency programs, our founders, Dr. Brus-Ramer and…
Read MoreNever Miss an Article!
Sign up to our newsletter and get the best of Elite Medical Prep, tailored for you.
Featured Articles
Elite Medical Prep
How to Make Memory Palaces in Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for the Internal Medicine Shelf Exam
Elite Medical Prep
What are Memory Palaces?
Elite Medical Prep
5 More New NBME Practice Exams Are Coming
Elite Medical Prep
Everything About UWorld’s ABFM QBank
Elite Medical Prep
Dealing With Test Anxiety During Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
5 Biggest Mistakes Students Make While Studying for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How To Triage Reviewing for ABSITE and USMLE Step 3
Elite Medical Prep
Things IMGs Can Do to Improve Their Chance of US Residency Matching
Elite Medical Prep
Aim High or Just Pass USMLE Step 1 in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
A Complete Guide to Getting Through the UWorld QBank Twice
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Co-Founder Receives COVID-19 Vaccine
Elite Medical Prep
What to Do the Day Before Your USMLE Step 1 Exam
Elite Medical Prep
Why Basic Sciences Are Still Important During Preclinical Studies
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 to Become Pass/Fail!
Elite Medical Prep
Common ABSITE Question Types You’ll Encounter on the Exam
Elite Medical Prep
How I Used My UWorld Subscription for MS1 and MS2
Elite Medical Prep
Options for a Low ABSITE Score
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for USMLE Step 2CS
Elite Medical Prep
2021 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Score Percentiles
Elite Medical Prep
How to Simultaneously Study for Step 2 CK and Your Shelf Exams
Elite Medical Prep
5 Things US IMGs Should Know When Applying to Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Residency Programs
Elite Medical Prep
How to Create an ABSITE Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
A Quick User’s Guide to Pathoma for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write a Personal Statement Hook
Elite Medical Prep
When is it Time to Get a USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Tutor?
Elite Medical Prep
UWorld in 30 Days: Making the Most out of UWorld’s Most Basic Subscription
Elite Medical Prep
Here’s How Residency Programs Rank Applicants
Elite Medical Prep
The Ins and Outs of Virtual Residency Application Season
Elite Medical Prep
How to Use the AAMC Residency Explorer Tool
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Matching: How to Cancel an Interview the Right Way
Elite Medical Prep
Post Interview Communication: The Residency Thank You Letter
Elite Medical Prep
So You Want to Be a Neurologist
Elite Medical Prep
An Interview with NBME Free 120 Explanation Guru: Ben White
Elite Medical Prep
5 Effective Study Tips to Help You Prepare for COMLEX Level 1
Elite Medical Prep
What to Look For in a Residency Program
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 1 Practice Question Types
Elite Medical Prep
When to Start Studying for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
5 Most Productive Study Tips for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Why Spaced Repetition is SO Important for USMLE Studies?
Elite Medical Prep
Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK After Rotations
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for COMLEX Level 2-CE
Elite Medical Prep
My Experience Taking the USMLE during COVID-19
Elite Medical Prep
Most Common Reasons for Failing USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 2CS is Cancelled
Elite Medical Prep
How to Manage USMLE Step 1 Test Anxiety
Elite Medical Prep
When to Start UWorld for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How to Best Use First Aid USMLE Step 1 to Study
Elite Medical Prep
WEBINAR: Tutoring Program Best Practices for Institutions
Elite Medical Prep
NBME Updates: Free Assessments & Explanations
Elite Medical Prep
Without Active Learning, You Could Fail USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Founder Delivers Grand Rounds at University of Hawaii
Elite Medical Prep
WEBINAR: COVID-19 Imaging for Medical Students & Residents
Elite Medical Prep
How to Painlessly Prepare for USMLE Step 3 & COMLEX Level 3
Elite Medical Prep
Medical School Closed Due to Coronavirus? Remote Learning Tips
Elite Medical Prep
Everything Changed – COVID-19 From a 1st Year Resident’s View
Elite Medical Prep
Pushing Back your USMLE Test Date Without Losing Knowledge
Elite Medical Prep
What COVID-19 Means for Medical Students
Elite Medical Prep
All United States Prometric Testing Centers CLOSED
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for the American Board of Internal Medicine Exam
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect Medical School Curricula
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect DO students
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect IMGs
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 1 to Become Pass/Fail
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 to USMLE Step 1 Predictor
Elite Medical Prep
Mistakes Students Make With First Aid for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Best COMLEX Level 2-CE Study Resources
Elite Medical Prep
Essential Tips for Excelling on the ABIM Certification Exam
Elite Medical Prep
Best COMLEX Level 1 Study Resources
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score 260 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
5 Tips on Studying for Step 3
Elite Medical Prep
Best Ways to Study for Step 2CK
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 Exam Blueprint and the AOA ACGME Merger
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score a 280 on USMLE Step 2 CK
Elite Medical Prep
UWorld vs. TrueLearn
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for USMLE Step 1 During MS2
Elite Medical Prep
Matching Into Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Matching into Thoracic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into OB/GYN Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into a Vascular Surgery Residency Program in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match Into MED/PEDS for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Internal Medicine Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Plastic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into an ENT Residency Program 2021
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Pediatrics Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Radiology for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into a Neurology Residency Program
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Emergency Medicine for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Psychiatry for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into a Transitional Year (TY) Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Family Medicine for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into a Dermatology Residency Program in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Anesthesia for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Will I Match into My Residency Specialty of Choice?
Elite Medical Prep
Scheduling Residency Interviews
Elite Medical Prep
Studying for USMLE Step 1 During MS1
Elite Medical Prep
Saving Money on Residency Applications
Elite Medical Prep
Preparing for Your Residency Interview
Elite Medical Prep
The Elite Medical Prep Anki Biochem Deck
Elite Medical Prep
Journey to Orthopedics Residency- Interviews
Elite Medical Prep
Why QBanks are a CRUCIAL Part of Your USMLE Review
Elite Medical Prep
Failing USMLE Step 1: What to Do
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write Your ERAS Personal Statement
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write the MSPE
Elite Medical Prep
Your 10 Week USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
Applying Into Pathology Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score Above 270 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Applying to ENT Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Make Your Residency Rank List
Elite Medical Prep
Entering Week 3 at Mount Sinai Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Course at Mount Sinai
Elite Medical Prep
How Many Residency Programs & Where to Apply
Elite Medical Prep
Using Flashcards to Study for the USMLE
Elite Medical Prep
Using Brosencephalon Effectively for USMLE Studying
Elite Medical Prep
6 Tips on Using Anki USMLE Flashcards
Elite Medical Prep
Benefits and Drawbacks of Zanki Deck for USMLE Step 1 Studies
Elite Medical Prep
New NBMEs- Our Professional Opinion
Elite Medical Prep
2021 Free 6 Week USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
Let’s Talk NBMEs! Free Webinar Sunday, March 31st @3pm EST/noon PST
Elite Medical Prep
Takeaways You Can Expect From the New NBME Forms
Elite Medical Prep
Using the UWSA Practice Tests After New NBME Releases
Elite Medical Prep
Using the Old NBME Exam Forms Before They Are ‘Retired’
Elite Medical Prep
Planning to Use the New NBME Practice Forms
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Letters of Recommendation: Everything You Need to Know
Elite Medical Prep
How to Use the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service)
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Application Timeline: What To Do When
Elite Medical Prep
Amboss Review: USMLE Prep Platforms
Elite Medical Prep
Online MedEd: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Pathoma: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Kaplan: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Osmosis: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Lecturio: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
What if I fail? Bouncing back on the USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
What Makes a Great USMLE Tutoring Service?
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score Above 240 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
The Ultimate USMLE Step 2 Study Guide
Elite Medical Prep
What is the USMLE Exam?
Elite Medical Prep
Flash Facts: USMLE Flashcard Resource Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Brosencephalon: USMLE Flashcard Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Firecracker: USMLE Flashcard Resource Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Zanki: USMLE Flashcard Resource Reviews
Elite Medical Prep