| Category | Sketchy | Pathoma |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Visual mnemonic video course | Pathology course (video + book) |
| Format | Illustrated story-based videos | Concise lectures paired with a text |
| Coverage | Microbiology, pharmacology, some pathology | General and systemic pathology fundamentals |
| Best for | Memorizing bugs, drugs, and facts that resist rote learning | Understanding disease mechanisms and high-yield pathology |
| Price | Subscription | One-time purchase |
Most students use both because they cover different material. Sketchy excels at memorization-heavy microbiology and pharmacology, while Pathoma teaches the pathology mechanisms tested throughout Step 1. They complement rather than replace each other.
For pathology, Pathoma is more high-yield and efficient. For microbiology and pharmacology, Sketchy is the stronger tool. The best choice depends on which subject you are studying, which is why many students use both.
For Step 1 purposes, Pathoma covers the high-yield pathology most students need and is often used in place of a full textbook. Its first three chapters on general pathology are especially important and worth reviewing multiple times.
Apply what you know
Progress Note adapts to your knowledge gaps — so you spend time on what actually moves the needle.
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