Blog - The Pass Machine

Wealth Management for Physicians: Exploring Types of Financial Advisors

August 21, 2023 by Laura Tobias, American Physician Institute Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Physician Advice Tags: financial advisors for physicians, wealth management, wealth management for physicians

Physicians face unique challenges when it comes to managing finances, but they gain lucrative financial opportunities, too. With a demanding profession and more complex financial needs than professionals in many other industries face, physicians must seek the right guidance to secure their financial future and avoid the most common financial mistakes. Here’s what you need to know about wealth management for physicians. Financial advisors have the knowledge, training, and experience to guide physicians through winding financial paths to achieve that… READ MORE

Pass the Nephrology Board Certification Exam With a Nephrology Board Review Course

September 22, 2023 by Dr. Regina Lilly, MD, MPH Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts Tags: board exam prep, nephrology board certification, nephrology board review

Every physician, no matter how qualified, needs to pass the Nephrology Board Certification Exam and they want to feel confident doing so. If you are planning to take the initial board examination after recently completing your fellowship or if you are preparing for the maintenance of certification (MOC) examination, you need to prioritize exam study time between your personal life and professional responsibilities. Physicians like you seek the most effective methods to study for the Nephrology Board Exam because there… READ MORE

Mastering The American Board of Internal Medicine Exams

September 20, 2023 by Dr. Rebecca Breslow, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Internal Medicine Tags: board exam prep, internal medicine board exam, passing internal medicine exam

Now that you’ve completed your Internal Medicine residency, it’s time to become certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Though this process may seem intimidating, in this article, I’ll tell you exactly what is required. I’ll discuss the exam you’ll have to take and the continuing educational work you’ll need to do to maintain your certification. I’ll also answer the most frequently asked questions and give you some tips and tricks to help you along the way. ABIM… READ MORE

ABIM Sleep Medicine: Why All Types of Physicians Should Understand How Sleep Impacts Health

September 15, 2023 by Laura Tobias, American Physician Institute Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Sleep Medicine

Sleep disorders are common, affecting an estimated 50 to 70 million adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the 2020 National Health Interview Survey revealed that 8.4% of adults took sleep medication in the last 30 days, every day or most days, to help them fall or stay asleep. The array of sleep disorders ranges from mild to severe cases, and they all can impact overall quality of life. The American Board of Internal Medicine… READ MORE

What You Need to Know to Pass the ABS Qualifying Exam

September 8, 2023 by Juanne Osigweh, MD, MPH, FACS Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, General Surgery Tags: board exam prep, general surgery, general surgery board prep, how to prepare for the general surgery board exams

So, you’re faced with the challenge of taking the ABS qualifying exam and, you’re wondering what’s the best way to prepare to ensure that you pass the first time around. The process of taking the ABS certifying exams can feel daunting and overwhelming, with so much to review in so little time. This article aims to 1) review the exam content and structure and 2) provide effective general surgery board prep strategies to pass the exam. The first step toward… READ MORE

ABFM Board Exam Prep: How to Prepare for the Family Medicine Certification Exam

September 1, 2023 by Nausheen Ahmed, MD, FAAFP Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Family Medicine Tags: ABFM board exam, family medicine board prep, family medicine board review, Family medicine certification

The ABFM exam, or the American Board of Family Medicine Certification exam, is required for board certification in family medicine. This is the exam residents take either prior to completing their Family Medicine Residency or right after completing their residency. Residents should prepare for this exam throughout their residency by taking an in-service exam each year conducted by their respective residency programs. Once residents receive certification, they need to participate in the continuation of the Family Medicine certification process to… READ MORE

How to Prepare for the ABA ADVANCED Exam

August 25, 2023 by Dr. Jason Barnes, DO Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Anesthesiology Tags: anesthesiology, anesthesiology board exam, Anesthesiology board exam prep, board exam prep

The ABA ADVANCED Exam is the second written test that an anesthesiologist must take in the process of becoming a board-certified anesthesiologist through the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), with the BASIC Exam being the first test. The ADVANCED Exam is taken after graduation from an anesthesia residency. It is offered twice a year: in the late summer and 6 months later in the winter. You register for the ABA ADVANCED in the spring prior to graduation. You must pass… READ MORE

ABA BASIC Exam: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare

August 11, 2023 by Dr. Jason Barnes, DO Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Anesthesiology, Board Exam Tags: anesthesiology, anesthesiology board exam, Anesthesiology board exam prep, board exam prep, board exam prep tips

I had not really heard of the ABA BASIC Exam until I matched into an anesthesia residency and after some research, I recognized that this test carries the same weight as a Step/COMLEX. The ABA basic examination determines whether or not you will be able to continue your training in an anesthesia residency, graduate, and continue taking the remaining portions of the anesthesia certifying exams. I had heard stories of people who failed the BASIC Exam during my residency, so… READ MORE

USMLE Step 2 Prep: Is Step 2 Easier Than Step 1?

August 2, 2023 by Gail Clifford, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts Tags: USMLE prep courses, USMLE step 1, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2 CK, USMLE step 2 prep

So, which is more difficult, the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK? The answer is – it depends. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a series of exams that aspiring physicians must pass to practice medicine in the United States. The USMLE is divided into three steps, with Step 1 and Step 2 being crucial milestones in a medical student’s journey. Most of us take Step 3 at the end of our first year of residency. USMLE… READ MORE

Unlocking the Power of Medical Innovations: The Importance of Patenting Good Healthcare Inventions

July 28, 2023 by Laura Tobias, American Physician Institute Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Medical Innovation Tags: medical innovation, medical innovation course, medical innovations

The world of healthcare is fast-paced and ever-changing, and ground-breaking discoveries progressively transform lives. The role innovation plays in healthcare cannot be overstated; it is medical innovations that revolutionize patient care, improve treatment outcomes, and open doors to further advancements. Inventions drive the healthcare industry’s advancement; however, they risk failing to reach their full potential if they are not patented. Patenting medical inventions is crucial for several reasons, and in this article, we’ll explore the most important ones. What Is… READ MORE

USMLE: When Do You Take Step 3?

July 27, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, USMLE Tags: USMLE prep, USMLE prep courses

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 is the third in a series of exams for physicians who have the goal of assuming independent responsibility for patient care. It is a crucial step for physicians-in-training on the journey to independent practice. Both the completion of an internship year and a passing score on all 3 steps of the USMLE exam are requirements for licensure to practice medicine. As with the other steps of the USMLE, deciding when to… READ MORE

ABIM Exam Format: Everything You Need to Know

July 21, 2023 by Rebecca Breslow, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Internal Medicine

You’ve finished your grueling Internal Medicine residency and are a newly minted internist, with only one last hurdle to overcome: The American Board of Internal Medicine Certification Exam (ABIM). Understanding the ABIM exam format can be vital in crossing the finish line to becoming a certified internal medicine practitioner. The exam is a milestone and can seem intimidating – after all, passing it proves you have the appropriate knowledge and clinical acumen to take care of your patients on your… READ MORE

Obesity Management: What Physicians Need to Know When Prescribing Anti-obesity Medication

July 19, 2023 by Laura Tobias, American Physician Institute Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obesity Management, Pediatrics

According to the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), the single most prevalent chronic disease in the United States is obesity. However, many healthcare providers, specifically physicians, are not properly trained to help patients with obesity management. More than 40% of adults nationwide are obese, and childhood obesity rates continue to rise, as well as the rates of diseases associated with obesity. Once previously accepted as the result of an individual’s poor lifestyle choices, obesity is now largely considered a… READ MORE

What Is the Best Internal Medicine Board Review Course?

July 14, 2023 by Gail Clifford, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Certification, Board Exam, Internal Medicine

Looking for the best Internal Medicine Review? Choosing the right board review course is a crucial step in preparing for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Examination. With so many options available, it’s important to consider several factors when making this decision. First, you should consider the format of the ABIM review course. Do you prefer a live, interactive experience or a self-paced study program? Next, evaluate how the course aligns with the ABIM exam blueprint, and ensure… READ MORE

Pediatrics Board Review: How to Study for the Exam

July 7, 2023 by Jessica Johnson, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, Pediatrics Tags: board exam prep, board exam study tips, how to study for the boards, pediatric board prep, pediatrics board review, peds board exam, peds board prep

The pediatric board exam is hard and is statistically getting more and more difficult based on the declining pass rate over the last 5 years. The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) General Certifying Examination is offered only once a year. So, if you don’t pass, this exam and preparing for it will preoccupy your mind for nearly a year before you have another shot at it. That’s why it’s important to have a solid plan in place for passing your… READ MORE

Should I Maintain My Board Certification for as Long as I Practice?

June 30, 2023 by Jack Krasuski, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Certification, Board Exam Tags: board certification, board-certified physician, medical board preparation

My answer for myself is: Yes, I would always maintain my board certification for as long as I see patients. I would not practice with lapsed board certification. Here I present my reason – yes, I have only one reason to remain board certified. This medical-legal reason is relevant to and resonates with me. It may or may not be relevant or resonate with you, but I think it’s good for you to at least be aware of it as… READ MORE

USMLE: When Do You Take Step 2?

June 22, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: Board Exam, USMLE Tags: medical school, medical students, USMLE Step 2 CK, when do you take step 2

USMLE: When Do You Take Step 2? Medical students who plan to pursue residency in the United States must complete the USMLE board examinations, the aim of which is to certify a baseline level of knowledge and competence in patient care. The first component in certification is USMLE Step 1, which is most often completed at the conclusion of the second year of medical school in the United States or whenever a school’s pre-clinical curriculum has been completed. This is… READ MORE

How to Study for USMLE Step 3

June 2, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD Leave a Comment Categories: Board Exam, USMLE Tags: How to prepare for USMLE step 3, How to study for USMLE Step 3, USMLE prep courses, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 prep course

If you are currently wondering how to study for USMLE Step 3, by now, you have probably heard the adage in medical school: “Two months to study for Step 1; two weeks to study for Step 2; and for Step 3: all you need is a #2 pencil.” Clearly, the reality of studying for Step 3 is more complex (especially considering that pencils are now obsolete due to a fully computerized examination process!) While your overall preparation will (fortunately) be… READ MORE