Board Exam Archives

How to Study for the Boards: The Dos and Don’ts of Preparing for Your Medical Board Exam

September 25, 2023 by Gail Clifford, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: board exam prep, board exam prep tips, board exam studying

If you’re on the journey to becoming a board-certified medical professional, let me tell you firsthand how important passing the medical board exam is. I’ve been through this crucial phase myself, and I understand the pivotal role it plays in shaping your career. So, as your friendly board-certified physician, I’m here to share some personal insights on how to study for the boards, how a board review course can help, and how I conquered the board exams and helped my… 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

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

USMLE Step 1: What’s on It?

May 26, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: USMLE, usmle qbank, USMLE step 1

Taking Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Any medical student hoping to become a doctor in the United States must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) as part of their medical education requirements, starting with USMLE Step 1. This rigorous exam consists of three “steps” designed to test a student’s knowledge and determine if they are ready to become a physician in the United States. This licensing exam is also required for physicians who are… READ MORE

USMLE Step 3 Exam: Optimize Your Performance on Test Day

May 19, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: USMLE, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 exam

The USMLE Step 3 exam is the final assessment first-year residents take before they can practice medicine independently. The exam assesses a physician’s knowledge of advanced clinical medicine and is different from the other two USMLE examinations taken in medical school. The experience of sitting for Step 3 of the USMLE will be distinct from that of Steps 1 and 2. The most striking difference is that the exam is administered over the course of two separate days. Each day… READ MORE

USMLE Step 3 Content: What’s on the Exam?

May 12, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: passing the USMLE, Step 3 Content, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 examples

The USMLE Step 3 exam is the final examination first-year residents need to pass to practice medicine independently. USMLE Step 3 content assesses a practitioner’s knowledge of advanced clinical medicine and is vastly different from the other two USMLE examinations, so interns should know what to expect and how to prepare to face examination committees. How Is USMLE Step 3 Content Different? The biggest difference between the USMLE Step 3 content and the other two USMLE exams taken in medical… READ MORE

The USMLE Step 2 CK Score

May 5, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: understanding USMLE score, USMLE Score, USMLE Step 2 CK

Each United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step exam is scored differently. Understanding what your USMLE Step 2 score means and how it is calculated can help you prepare in a more focused way. Understanding your USMLE Step 2 CK score Scores for the USMLE Step 2 exam range from 1 to 300. However, a 300 has never been achieved. Although scores across steps (such as between Step 1 and Step 2 CK) are not comparable, each step’s exam scores… READ MORE

USMLE vs. COMLEX: What’s the Difference?

April 27, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: complex, medical licensing exams, USMLE, usmle vs complex

USMLE vs. COMLEX: Is one exam for MD students and the other for DO students? It’s not that simple. Traditionally speaking, osteopathic medical students have been required to take the COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) to be eligible for licensure, whereas allopathic medical students are required to take the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) in order to obtain their medical license. However, the situation is more complex. As a medical student, taking board examinations serves a dual purpose… READ MORE

What is “Irregular Behavior” on the USMLE? How do I avoid it?

April 21, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: board exam prep, how to pass the USMLE, how to study for the boards, USMLE, USMLE exam prep, USMLE Step 2CK

What is “irregular behavior?” The USMLE examinations are tightly regulated and have a high level of security in place to maintain the integrity of their content and ensure their value in assessing candidates for medical licensing. As a result, there are certain actions of examinees that can be flagged as “irregular1” and may be sent for review by the NBME’s Committee for Individualized Review (CIR). If the committee determines that the action in question compromises the examination’s integrity, a temporary… READ MORE

How to Study for USMLE Step 2: 6 Tips for Success

April 13, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: exam prep, study tips, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2CK

Now that USMLE Step 1 is a pass/fail exam, many residency programs will put greater importance on your USMLE Step 2 CK score. Earning a high score on this national board exam will help set you apart from other students and applicants. This article will focus on six tips on how to study for Step 2. Tip #1: Start Your Study Preparations at the Start of Clinical Rotations Many medical students often wonder how to prepare for the Step 2… READ MORE

What You Need to Know About the November 2020 Update to the Step 2 CK Exam

April 6, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: HIPAA, USMLE exam, USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies outline, USMLE Step 2 CK, USMLE topics

As of November 11, 2020, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) exam will increase the percentage of questions assessing the social sciences of examinees. What questions are included in the social sciences? The social sciences, or “soft skills,” will test an applicant’s knowledge of legal and ethical issues, professionalism, systems-based practices, and patient safety. These questions will consist of a particular concept, such as professionalism, rooted in a clinical situation. Such questioning aims to… READ MORE

USMLE Step 2 CK Content Tests Clinical Knowledge Base

March 31, 2023 by Michael Sapko, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: board exam, career options, clinical knowledge, how to pass the USMLE, residency options, Step 2 CK, USMLE, USMLE Content, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2CK

Learn More About USMLE Step 2 Content Now that Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) has become a pass/fail exam, your USMLE Step 2 CK score is more important than ever in deciding your medical residency and career options. In this article, we will review the USMLE Step 2 CK content of clinical science and knowledge examination. USMLE Step 2 CK Content Outline The main goal of the USMLE Step 2 CK examination is to assess… READ MORE

USMLE: 10 Tips to Ace the Exams

March 30, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: USMLE exam, USMLE prep, USMLE prep courses, USMLE step 1, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 3, USMLE tips?

The USMLE Step exams can be difficult not just in content but in terms of USMLE preparation and learning how to effectively use the resources at your disposal. In this article, we break down the top 10 tips to most effectively help medical students achieve their goals and find USMLE success. Tip 1: Create a USMLE study schedule and plan at least six months before your test date The most common issue we encounter is students who do not create… READ MORE

A Perfectionism That Will Kill Your Board Exam Performance

August 12, 2022 by Jack Krasuski, MD 1 Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: exam performance challenges, How to Prepare For Your Board Exam, medical board preparation, perfectionism

This week we completed our 5-Day Psychiatry Board Prep Course in Chicagoland. (It was great to see and speak with so many colleagues there.) At the course, I received several questions from our attendees about what turns out to be a single problem described in different ways – board exam performance. The problem is a manifestation of one type of perfectionism in exam performance. It arises as a feeling of a strong need to get complete and/or definitive information about… READ MORE

Ace the Board Exams: Tips and Tricks for Before, During, and After Board Exams

August 23, 2019 by Holly Smith, DO Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: board exam prep, board exam prep tips, board exam study prep, board exam study tips, board exam tips, do, dr holly smith, holly smith, the pass machine, what to do after board exam, what to do before the board exam, what to do during exam, what to do during my board exam

Let’s face it; the board exam is a one-day test. However, it is so much more than a one-day experience for medical students. No matter what your specialty, preparation for your board exam begins months to years before the test day. The experience of that day will live with you for months to years, even after you finish board exams. Here are some strategies to implement during your medical education, before, during, and after the exam to have the best… READ MORE