Best Review Book for Physiology (2026): 5 Picks Compared

The best review book for physiology matches the exam in front of you: a general text and a board-style question bank build different skills. This list compares outline reviews against question banks for medical and preclinical students, using only what each listing publishes.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Guyton & Hall Review 4th ed. by Hall	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Guyton & Hall Review 3rd ed. by Hall	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Physiology (Board Review) by Costanzo	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	A&P For Dummies by Odya	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Anatomy & Physiology All-in-One by Odya	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Guyton & Hall Review 4th ed. by Hall

John E. Hall PhD·9.8/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Newest Guyton and Hall review, cross-referenced to the 14th edition textbook, with an interactive eBook quiz mode.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• More than 1,000 board-style questions
• Cross-referenced to the 14th edition textbook
• Enhanced eBook with quiz mode

Cons

• 272 pages, shorter than the other picks
• Page references assume the 14th edition textbook
• Online audio needs a device

2

Guyton & Hall Review 3rd ed. by Hall

John E. Hall PhD·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

More than 1,000 board-style questions with online figures, heart sound audio and animations.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• More than 1,000 board-style questions
• Online figures, audio and animations
• eBook included with purchase

Cons

• 3rd edition from June 2015
• 268 pages, the shortest here
• Self-assessment questions are online only

3

Physiology (Board Review) by Costanzo

Ph.D. Costanzo, Linda S.·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Concise Board Review Series outline with over 350 USMLE-style questions and a full-length practice exam.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Over 350 USMLE-style questions with explanations
• Chapter exams plus a comprehensive final exam
• Full-color illustrations and tables

Cons

• 6th edition from May 2014
• Fewer questions than the 1,000-plus reviews
• Physiology only; anatomy needs another book

4

A&P For Dummies by Odya

Erin Odya·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A plain-English A&P overview in 384 pages for students and curious readers who want the basics.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Plain-English A&P for students and aspiring healthcare professionals
• 384 pages with illustrations, 3rd edition of March 20, 2017
• Kindle edition also listed

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• 2017 edition, so check for a newer one
• No practice questions are listed

5

Anatomy & Physiology All-in-One by Odya

Erin Odya·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Plain-language anatomy and physiology with online chapter quizzes, in the newest edition here.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 496 pages, the longest book here
• 1st edition from March 2023
• Online chapter quizzes included

Cons

• Aimed at beginners, less of a board review
• Chapter quizzes only, no full-length exam
• No question count stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• BRS Physiology 8th ed. by Costanzo8th edition from 2022 with 336 pages and a 100-question comprehensive exam.Check on Amazon
• Review of Medical Physiology by Ganong11th edition, 490 pages, with essay and multiple-choice questions.Check on Amazon
• Physiology Review 2E by Chandrasekar2nd edition from 2017 in short, capsular form for undergraduates.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, and value. None of the five picks states a reading age or grade level, so that component is zero across the list. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best review book for physiology

Match the book to the exam

The USMLE Step 1 physiology portion is the stated target for the BRS and both Guyton and Hall reviews: more than 1,000 board-style questions in each Guyton and Hall review, over 350 USMLE-style questions in the BRS. For the anatomy half of the course, see the best study guide for anatomy and physiology.

Check the edition, the questions and the format

Edition years run from May 2014 to March 2023, so confirm the year on the listing. Against the 1,000-question Guyton and Hall reviews and the 350-question BRS, the Dummies All-in-One offers online chapter quizzes with no stated count. The 4th edition is cross-referenced to the 14th edition textbook with an enhanced eBook quiz mode, and a companion best review book for anatomy list covers the other half of the subject.

Before you buy

• Check the edition year: the picks range from May 2014 to March 2023.
• Confirm the question practice: full-length exams, chapter quizzes and online quiz banks differ by listing.
• Check answers and explanations: the BRS and Guyton and Hall reviews state them; the Dummies 3rd edition does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which review book has the most practice questions?

The two Guyton and Hall reviews, each with more than 1,000 board-style questions and answers, ahead of the BRS at over 350.

Which edition should I buy?

The 4th edition from December 2020 and the Dummies All-in-One from March 2023; always confirm the year on the listing.

Do these books include answers and explanations?

The BRS states complete answers and explanations, and both Guyton and Hall reviews state questions and answers.

Still deciding? Our top pickGuyton & Hall Review 4th ed. by Hall

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every licensing and certification list and all test prep lists. Also see our best review book for anatomy.

More lists: graduate test prep, college admission test prep and workbooks and homeschool.