So this is the most common question for all beginners on how and where to study from, or better still a blueprint of the study material. Then most common problem which we all have faced taking this exam is which is the best material to stick to. The answer is going to pose as much dilemma as much as I faced while deciding which material I used for my preparation. I will start by listing the material which are most popular along with the less popular ones. Few have been from Indian writers as they were the books we followed in the dental studies in India. But the deadly 3 and most beneficial for me were Kaplan review and lecture notes+ ASDA reprints + USMLE First aid for Step1
The most commonly used materials and reason why they are so:
1. Kaplan Review Notes: This is one of the most sought after material released by Kaplan. It is the most comprehensive review of what we need to read for the exam and if you are through with this book at least 2-3 times I can guarantee that you will cross the mark of 85 percentile and up confidently.
2. ASDA National Board Reprints for Part 1: You just cannot get the correlation between your theoretical studies untill you have learned to apply them through these ADA questions. Make sure you solve each of the paper atleast 3 times before exam. And solve not cram, it will help you phenomenally. Definitely one of the few that CANNOT be skipped. Series runs from 1-A released in year 1978 to 1-N in 2009. Except for I-M and 1-N, all comprise of 400 questions. Keep your 1-L, M and N papers unsolved till the last month and access you preparation using these as mock tests. They are available at the ASDA website as well as for sale as used copies. You can also try downloading them from links available online, if not possible you can contact me, I can send them too. You can also try to get old paper copies from previous test takers if the paper copies are essential for your preparation.
3. Dental Decks: Dental Decks’ original flashcards can be acquired by the dental decks website as well as the used ones from resources online, eg. rapidshare and megaupload. I had used the original decks as well as the reprints but I feel especially in the picture section of the decks the flash cards are more useful. If you anyhow decide to use the printouts then try to put together few pages of each section and finish those sections alongside the main reading from Kaplan notes, so as you do not have to repeatedly read the decks apart from your notes. By doing this you will also realize that which information is novel in the decks and you can make note in your main material so as the decks needn’t be flipped every time. When managing to finish the decks one should try to put together reprints by stapling topics together as they are great read on the go, during your time which you might tend to waste like travelling, sitting outside in fresh air in morning/evening time etc.
* Keep yourself updated by the constant corrections at the dental decks website.
http://www.dentaldecks.com/Pages/Morecorrections.aspx
Just another point of view from my other friends, who had studied from the Dental Decks solely. Just like Kaplan review you can follow decks entirely but then it is an individual choice. I feel Decks are not very organized from the comprehensive reading viewpoint, they are more suited for US graduates who have very strong basics while in school and all they need to do before taking their boards is go through material like Decks or NBDE First Aid.
4. NBDE First Aid Part 1: This is one of the fastest read if you want to finish “the syllabus” at one go and aim for multiple revisions. Some of my friends swear by it in terms of quick one liners and its point to point approach but I personally find this one good in terms Anatomy section but deficient in many subjects, like microbiology and biochemistry which have been finished in just a few pages. As it is not a self sufficient study material and requires en-numerous adjuncts I would recommend a better alternate in my next study aid.
5. USMLE first Aid: One of my personal favorite after the Kaplan Review book. Whatever I was looking for in the NBDE first aid and failed to find in it was here. Case in point as any student preparing for the USMLE step 1 swears by this book as their study aid and I can vouch for it even for NBDE. It is one of the excellent source for all medical subjects and I would say it is a more reliable than Dental Decks and NBDE First Aid. Major reasons being the comprehensive system by system approach it has for all subjects. That is for every system it starts on with the anatomy–>then physiology –> finally the pathology. There are separate sections for the embryology, microbiology, biochemistry and immunology which are excellent in itself during the final phases of revisions.
P.S. Comparatively Gross Anatomy is still phenomenal in NBDE First Aid.
6. Kaplan Lecture Notes: Alright so this is a big debate as to which is better for NBDE part 1, the lecture notes or the review book. But I will try to rest my case by saying, a combination of the two. It is so that some subjects are better described in the lecture notes than the review, viz the microbiology, pathology, biochemistry and immunology if done from the lecture notes are totally worth it for your understanding and in turn your board scores. Anatomy and physiology are way concise in the review book. If you want to skip immunology diagrams and jump to the cramming, you can stick on the review book for it. At the end of the day I feel no book is wholesome for this exam and the key us to pick up the best from the best ones. For anatomy as I already mentioned the NBDE first Aid is really good in terms of touching everything ADA recommends us to read, but then the review book explains everything required for anatomy starting with the histology–> gross anatomy–>systemic–> and a detailed neuroanatomy. The review book has a total of 33 chapters which encompasses everything in anatomy cover to cover. Few diagramatic aids and barring few details here and there you are good to go even with all that is here.
P.S. Will elaborate more on each subject,section wise in the study technique post.
7. Your B.D.S. books: There is no better way of understanding than by reading the books you followed during you graduation years. I might miss out on a few but will try to fit in all the books which are very good writes from Indian as well as foriegn writers.
(i) Gross Anatomy including head and neck anatomy–> Inderbir Singh or B.D. Chaurasia. You can refer videos by Achaland, and Altas and books by Gray’s and Netter’s too.
(ii) Histology–> Inderbir Singh histology.
(iii) Embryology–> Inderbir Singh human embryology.
(iv) Pathology–> Robbin’s General Pathology by Vinay Kumar, Stanley Leonard Robbins. OR General pathology by Harsh Mohan.
(v) Biochemistry–> Lippincott’s biochemistry OR biochemistry by Satyanarayan. [Lehenger’s Biochemistry, also recommended by ADA is an excellent source but you can leave it for the board exam as it is far too detailed].
(vi) Physiology –> Board review Series Physiology by Linda Costanzo OR Ganong’s review of medical physiology OR Guyton and Hall physiology review.
8. Goljan’s Pathogy notes and audio lectures: Though not an essential but this is a detailed resource and definitely takes a lot of time. But once you are through with it you can master your biochemistry and pathology at your fingertips and to a certain extent microbiology too. A one time listening and then a second read from the Kaplan lecture notes makes you conquer these hard to memorize subjects.
Did you enroll in Kaplan course?
No Sonny I did not, it was self study throughout..
not yet, buy I will
I have canadia permanent residence and my parents recently got american permanent residence, Could that be of any use to me?
Not for NBDE exam, but it can be use for your final admission procedures, as some universities like University of Illinois at Chicago and University of Denver require US Citizens/permanent residents solely.
i have all the ASDA papers except N series. Could you please send me the N series alone by mail. ashishagwal@gmail.com. Thanks…
Check your email, I sent you the required files..
hi,,i need all ASDA question papers.. its really urgent………please help me…..My email- drmunjalkhatri@yahoo.in .
thank you.
Hi,
Could I please get the ASDA papers from I-J onwards?
I also want to know if I should be buying the NBDE Part I lecture notes 2010 edition or the latest edition. Does it matter? Has the material changed much?
i cannot share any papers through internet. you can look for some sellers, online. NBDE lecture notes are very extensive and there is little they can change in them. So please just read what you have in detail, several times.
Do you know where we can find the Kaplan Review Notes that you discuss in your first point? If you have a link or something I’d really appreciate it if you could please e-mail it to me: wbvolleyball21@aol.com
you can get it from the Kaplan’s centre if you enroll in a course, I personally got notes passed on from someone who was selling them. Check Amazon.com for such re-sellers.
search in google. u can download for free. i did it todsy
It was a great help I will be in contact .does the kaplan videos for usmle help I was going thru them I plan to give exam in dec . Is it enough time to prepare I am a dentist frm delhi at present residing in chicago . Are 5 months enough regards
Hello Fellow Delhite..
5 months are really enough for preparation, once you seriously sit without distractions. I myself had about the same time limit. But that time should be 100% dedicated to reviewing and studying solely. If you are working on the side during this preparation then
I would definitely not recommend it based on the time crunch you have. All the best !!
USMLE videos were studied by a friend of mine, but then she took almost a year and a half to prepare for the exam. But I feel if you do the lecture notes right then you needn’t go through all the videos. Goljan’s audio lectures are more helpful..
Hi…….
.(1) i have finished Kaplan note of all 6 subjects…
(2) Dental decks 2009 -10
(3)First aid -Latest edition.
(4)ASDA papers- N,M,L,K,J,A,B.C
(5)Mosby questions.
IS it enough? do i need to do all ASDA papers?
Thanks
Yes kaplan videos were too tiring at present.I am starting with review book & will finish it by next month. Can u send me material on my address as I have all the older versions ten years old. Will be grateful for your help.
Hi Jalpa, will email you the details.
thnks…waiting for your mail
mail me at tankjalpa24290@yahoo.in
Hi Guys, I have noted the respective emails of people who have commented and I will email you back today.
Thanks
Manu
pls tell me wat to read .. i have finished KAPLAN , DENTAL DECK 2009-10, fIRST AID, asda N,M,L,K. Mosby questions, Now wat else i should read?
You have read pretty much everything we need to read. Just focus on repeating what you have read atleast 4-5 times. Practice more questions by challenging your knowledge. This will help you judge yourself better. Thanks
Hey.. thanks.. so
(1)is it fine if i dont solve first aid question and answers?
(2)Rest of ASDA papers..?
Thanks .. so much…
pls tell me wat to read .. i have finished KAPLAN , DENTAL DECK 2009-10, fIRST AID, asda N,M,L,K. Mosby questions, Now wat else i should read?
Magan, All you read is great, just keep on revising it as many times as you can, before the exam.
sorry dear.. its 140 mb.. and i can send u upto 100 mb..from my mail…
no payal i dont have.. and i have yahoo account..
Thats sad 😦 i dont know what to do….
This is the information most of us need. Can you please guide to starting preparation, where i mean which subject and which topic should i start from????
Also, can you please send me ASDA papers (all0 and kaplan lecture notes? I have very old ones, 2000 edition…. And i heard that it is changed alot. My e-mail address is; dentalboardsstudent@gmail.com, Thanx.
The version of Lecture notes doesn’t matter, it has not changed much I had studied the older version too..
I need study material as well, tayoub.lcn@gmail.com
Please find a seller somewhere on SDN
ok. planning to solve all ASDA papers .. and than take date …thanks….
HELLO EVERY1.please help me .i wana knw wat is procedue for doing dentistry in canada and what books should i start with if i hve to gve an exams.please need help and materials.my email is gill_hartejsingh@yahoo.com.pls help frendz
DEAR DR
I AM APPEARING FOR ASSOCIATE FELLOW EXAM FOR AMERICAN ACADEMY OF IMPLANT DENTISTRY ,AM ALSO A FELLOW OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS USA AND ACCREDITED MEMBER OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY,\THESE FELLOWSHIP IF I GET WILL THEY HELP ME IN GETTING ADMISSION IN POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN USA
I WAS THINKING OF GIVING NDBE IN APRIL 2012 AS I WAS GOING TO USA TO GIVE ABOVE MENTIONED EXAMS ,AS I AM FULL TIME WORKING AS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN BHU ,CANT GIVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE
WHAT WILL BE YOUR ADVISE HOW TO PREPARE
Hello Doctor,
As I posted the tips on the website, they hold true for everyone who plans to take National Boards. I would suggest you go through the study material post and study well do not worry about the score(as there are none is you pass now) as I am sure who so ever studies that material will pass.
where s my post?
hey..
i found this information extremeyl helpful. i have just started studying for my exam. can u please help me how to start n which books to read first n what pattern i should follow.
i would be really thankful for your help
please go though the post on study materials, I have elaborated every given detail known to me.
Thanks
its really urgent
Hi,
i am planning for nbde part 1 xam … thanks for information u have given ….can u pls send me asda papers and dental deck papers which will be very helpful to me .
thank u………..
priyabenarjee
Priya I am trying to find a place to upload them because of security concerns many website have been banned. I am looking for a solution and will get back to everyone.I emailed the N series.
Hello,thanks for sharing so much info.very helpful.I am just starting my studies.Still so much to figure out.Could u send me links to download ASDA-part 1 papers?Would really appreciate your help.Thanks.
sorry, forgot to send u my email id.sharmilads@gmail.com
Whats the password For the dropbox link??? I will be so much thankful. My email id is lightyear1992@yahoo.com
Hi Rushi, the drop box created earlier has been deleted. I will post the papers somewhere else as sson as I can. In current days many uploading websites have been banned by the FBI so there are very few options left.
Hi
I am appearing for exam soon. I need ASDA 1-n series. It will be really helpful if you could provide me drsbansal@gmail.com. Thanks a ton!
Hiii … m a newly passed dentist from india planing to appear for NBDE PART 1… as my whole family is residing in us… soooo can you please … help me out …how i should start my preparations??? thanks,,,
please go though the post on study materials, I have elaborated every given detail known to me.
Thanks
Hi bridgebetweendentistry
First of all, you are doing a great job by helping so many aspiring students 🙂 ,I’am also one of those . I would deeply appreciate if you can send me the link to asda released papers.
hi!!
your blog is great!!! im about to take part 1, but i haven’t been able to find ASDA test packet 1-N, how can i get them, woud they be a chace that you can e mail them to me????? thanl you!!!
nekocha77@hotmail.com
Hey.I need to know a few things regarding NBDE part 1.i’ve just started preparing for it and will take it in 6 months from now. i wanted to know approx how much time I should take to complete one subject.i’m really confused about this.
https://www.dropbox.com/home/NBDE%20Part1
Part 1 material- PW= dentalab
When i tried to open this link the dropbox asks for sign in.!!
Mam do you have any solution for that???
hi…thank u for your guidance. i am looking for reprint. thank you
Hi, would you be able to send me the exams as well, particularly the last crucial 3? Thank you so much.. I’ve been searching for a couple hours now for info on NBDE part 1 and this has been most helpful.
hello…i just finished my degree….i want to study for nbde part 1 exam?can you send me the required study materials to my mail…pls help me…
hi,pls can you tell me where i can get all the materials. i am planning to start preparation for N.B.D.E soon. Pls i need the Qbanks and lecture notes as well as the other materials. Thanks
You can try SDN to get someone who is selling these materials.
Hello there,I have been looking for kaplan NBDE part 1 materials with minimal cost.Money is a bit problem to be precise,for your convenience,I would say.So,I was thinking u could help me up.Could you please send me a copy of kaplan part 1 review and lecture notes? I have not much to pay for, except gratitude.
Helli Fabian, you need to give me an email to send you the material.
Great blog, thank you for the information. I am a foreign dentist and looking for study materials for NBDE Part I. I ordered Dental Decks already, they looked like a nice shortcut. Now, I need something comrehensive to read. I see you recommend Kaplan review notes, but you mentioned that these notes will tell me what to read for the exam. Are there any books that you would recommend?
Hello Natalie,
Its best if you go through the “study material” for the exam post on this blog, I have written everything I did and many other people who did there, which will give you a list and then it is up to you to make the best choice as to what you want to study..
hi guys if u r looking for the NBDE or NDEB study material, I can provide it all. Mail me on doc.usa.nbde@gmail.com for all the details.
regards
hi..am appearing for the nbde next month and am in desparate need of the asda released question papers…i tried goin on to he asda site but if offered the question banks for a way higher price..is there a way of getting it over the counter…or can u send me the question banks…my email id is daylxyz@gmail.com
Due to current regulations of online sharing of material being banned everyone is exercising caution in sending these documents online. Please find it in a book store or someone’s used exams near you.
i have dental decks 2009-10 material..is it sufficient ? or do i need to purchase the latest version of dental decks ?
can i get the latest 2012-2013 version of dental decks…and all other materials for nbde part 1….thank u
Neha, I do not have the latest version of Decks. You might have to search for it online
DEAR DR MANU,I AM READY FOR NDBE PREP PART 1 ,WANT TO GIVE EXAM IN APRI L 2013,IS THIS PERIOD ENOUGH?WILL FOLLOW UR GUIDANCE
Sorry I don’t have the latest versions..
Hi Manu
I am going to start my preparation for nbde part 1. It would really helpful for me. I appreciate all you help and guidance you give others. I know very few take so much effort in helping others and you are one of them.
Like I said before Shreya, look for sellers online.
Hi I have given part 1 exam but I dont think I will pass though I studied Kaplan review and dental decks 2004-2005. I am very frustrated, can you please help what year dental deck I should study. And does it make any difference if the Kaplan review is latest book or not. My result is not out yet.
Thank you for your VERY USEFUL blog entry. Would you please send me any materials that you have to my email: hello_liz@hotmail.com
Liz I gave away my study material long time ago.
Hi
I need the ASDA reprints? I got them until 1989! Still need the rest until N series. Thanx so much for any response!
(relanahs9@hotmail.com)
No one is allowed to upload these documents only way you could find them is from previous students or order them online.
This is the official page for ASDA http://www.asdanet.org/store/nbde.aspx
Hi…Manu…just wana say thanks… for all the help…. 🙂 Appreciate it
Thank you for a very informative blog. I am trying to get a hold of some preparation materials for NBDE exams online. If you have any notes or study materials could you please email them to me?Thanks a lot. You are doing a great service.
Anjana
dranjanapilla@yahoo.co.in
I do not have any study materials as I left them for distribution with my friends in New Delhi. I can offer you help in what to study as I have mentioned in Study materials post. Please ask questions if you find some information missing in it.
Hi, Great blog, thank you for the information. I will be appearing for the NBDE part 1 exam in 2014. i was looking for the books on amazon & they all seem to be 2009-2010 or 2010-2011 editions. are they good enough ? or is it preferable to get the new editions ? does the version make a big difference ?
The year of decks really deosn’t matter. As long as you study one source extensively you will be fine to take exams. Sadly sharing decks over internet files isn’t legal, so please ask for prev old used decks from SDN like resources.
hi,
thank you for such an awesome blog.
Needed some help, i have most of the study material except the asda papers . can you please email me the asda question papers,esp the latest series…2000 onwards. thanks .My email is doc.nita@gmail.com.
thanks a lot.