Certifying Exam: General Surgery Board Review Course

General Questions about The Pass Machine and American Physician Institute

Is The Pass Machine different from other board reviews?

Yes, in three main ways:

1. The Pass Machine board review is the most comprehensive option. More than just a Question Bank of practice questions, each course includes in-depth lectures in a familiar classroom setting presented by expert faculty. This means you get a topic-by-topic review of exactly what’s on the board exam in much greater detail than what you can get from Qbank answer explanations.

2. Because the physician’s schedule is typically a hectic one, The Pass Machine is optimized for on-the-go review. Components such as the audio-only lecture option, iOS and Andriod app for mobile review, and offline access capability, and a fully-illustrated board-mapped study guide make The Pass Machine review easy to incorporate at any point your daily routine.

3. The Triple Trust Guarantee not only gives you a full tuition refund if you don’t pass the exam the first time after taking the course, but it also gives you an extra 10% AND allows you continued access until you pass, for free. This unprecedented guarantee serves to assure you of the confidence we have that The Pass Machine content is exceptional.

Who produces The Pass Machine Courses? Where do you get your faculty?

The Pass Machine board review courses are produced by American Physician Institute for Advanced Professional Studies, LLC (API). API conducts dozens of courses and trains thousands of surgeons each year to pass their boards and stay up-to-date in their fields. Every single one of American Physician Institute‘s educational courses has full editorial independence, is free of pharmaceutical and industry sponsorship and is backed by an unbeatable guarantee. Because of its reputation for excellence, American Physician Institute is able to enlist many of the top faculty from the best universities, teaching hospitals and research facilities in the country to provide you with Category 1 CME educational activities.

Do you provide board review for other medical specialties?

Yes! In fact, we provide preparation for dozens of other specialty and subspecialty board exams. Check out www.AmericanPhysician.com for the full list.

Is it likely that my employer will cover my tuition?

Because all The Pass Machine courses are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, it is likely that your tuition will be reimbursed. You may be surprised at how many residency and fellowship training programs, group practices, and other employers pay for or reimburse you for such Category 1 educational activities. After all, it’s in everyone’s best interests to have you board certified. It really pays to ask your training director, medical director or administrator if you are eligible because some training programs and employers do pay for board exam training. And, if you work for the Federal Government, American Physician Institute is a certified business in the CCR database and can accept government checks and credit cards.

Does The Pass Machine offer any free board review resources?

Yes! Start with our Medical Board Review Blog. There are general articles featuring board prep tips, and articles on board prep that are more board-specific.

What is your Sam.gov Unique Entity ID?

American Physician Institute’s Unique Entity ID is LQWHFPP2KLB8

Can I get a discount off course tuition?

Yes! American Physician Institute offers several board review course discounts:

1. Group Discounts
2. Multi-purchase discounts
3. Referral earnings & discounts through our Ambassador Club
4. The Residency & Fellowship Program Edition tailored for training programs.

Please call 877-225-8384 for more information, or visit the “Discounts & Group Sales” pages under the top menu.

What do I get when I register for the Certifying General Surgery Board Review Course?

Course enrollment grants you access to your personalized online dashboard, which includes:

• 25 Recorded Mock Oral Exams
• 132 Written Clinical Scenarios
• Earn up to 40.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits™
• Illustrated Study Guide (Downloadable PDF)
• CME Vault for claiming and storing your CME certificates
• Triple Trust Guarantee

Board Exam Results and the Triple Trust Guarantee

Is The Pass Machine General Surgery Certifying review pass-guaranteed?

Yes, all full courses are pass-guaranteed, and backed by our Triple Trust Guarantee. At any time, you can view the Triple Trust Guarantee Terms & Conditions.

What does the Triple Trust Guarantee cover?

If you purchase a course with a “Triple Trust Guarantee” and fail the board exam for which this course is designed, API will issue a 100% refund of your paid tuition*, plus an additional 10%, plus free subscription renewal. The guarantee expires in the event the exam for which this course is designed is no longer offered by the certifying board.

* Tuition is defined as the amount you paid for your base course, and does not include optional course add-ons, such as purchase of online access extensions, and/or the live course attendance option (where available). If any promotional items, such as gift cards, are included with your purchase, the value of that promotional item will be deducted from your tuition.

The Triple Trust Guarantee sounds too good to be true—is it for real?

Yes, it’s completely real. Rest assured, API has always honored its guarantees and always will. The Triple Trust Guarantee is API’s way of demonstrating that it’s just as invested in your success as you are. After all, if you fail your board exam, API will pay a penalty. API will refund your course tuition in full, provide you with a bonus, and provide you with free subscription renewal. The guarantee ensures API doesn’t get paid for effort, only for passing results.

Does the Triple Trust Guarantee cover non-tuition course options and upgrades?

No. Course options and upgrades are non-tuition related. Therefore, these fees are not included in any guarantee-related refund payment made under the terms of the Triple Trust Guarantee.

What should I do if I don’t pass my board exam?

First, it’s important to remember that a non-passing result is not necessarily a reflection on your abilities as a surgeon. The way the ABS tests you is not the same as the many ways you’re “tested” as a practicing surgeon. Check out this reassuring video from Dr. Jack – What To Do If You Fail Your Board Exam https://www.thepassmachine.com//video-what-to-do-fail-your-board-exam/

More to the point, American Physician Institute can work with you to help you get over this professional hurdle. Give us a call!

I didn’t pass my board exam. How do I activate my course guarantee?

To activate your guarantee, you must notify American Physician of your failure to pass your board exam and submit a copy of your exam notification and scores. To be eligible for the refund portion of the guarantee you must submit your documents within 45 days of the date of your exam fail notification. To notify American Physician and submit your documents, go to your course dashboard and click on the “Guarantee” tab. Complete the form and attach your exam notification and scores. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt and someone will contact you shortly. If you need assistance with this process or your course access is expired, please contact Customer Care at 877-225-8384

General Surgery Certifying Course Access

When do I receive online access to General Surgery Certifying review course materials?

When a credit card or debit is used for payment, access is immediate. When a check is used as payment, access will be granted once the check has been received and verified.

How long do I have access to my online materials? Does my course expire?

The General Surgery Certifying prep course and all its associated online material remains active through November 30, 2025 from your date of purchase when you register now.

What if I’m not ready to take my exam? Can I extend my course?

Some surgeons invest in a board-preparation course many years prior to their exam. In these cases, The Pass Machine allows course registrants to extend the life of their course by 12 months for an additional fee. If you wish to extend your access, please call 877-225-8384 prior to your course expiration date. NOTE: Extension options are not available to Group registrations.

What are your system requirements?

Our products only require Internet access and a web browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari. Use of Internet Explorer is NOT recommended.). All content is compatible with current Mac and PC operating systems.

CME Credits & Board Info

How do I get my CME credits?

Online Courses – From your course dashboard, click on the Claim CME tab. You will see your CME test(s) and/or SA test here. Complete the test, and once you have passed with 50% or better, your CME certificate will be issued immediately and placed in your CME Vault. SA tests are not a graded activity. Your certificate is issued based on completing the activity. Live Courses – From your course dashboard, click on the Claim CME tab. You will see your CME test, CME survey, or SA test here. Complete the test, and once you have passed with 50% or better, your CME certificate will be issued immediately and placed in your CME Vault. SA tests and CME surveys are not a graded activity. Your certificate is issued based on completing these activities.

How do I access my earned CME credits?

The General Surgery Certifying board review includes access to CME Vault for convenient storing and retrieval of CME-related documents. Access this area from the CME Vault tab in your course dashboard.

Where can I find information about taking my specialty’s board exam?

For information about General Surgery Certifying Board Exam, please visit The American Board of Surgery (ABS): www.ABSurgery.org

"I just wanted to thank you for all your efforts. I just knew early in the week that I passed and I wanted to celebrate that news with you. I wouldn't have made it without your help."

Petro Y, MD, Terrebonne, QB

"This general surgery board review course provided the outline and structure I needed to help prepare myself for the written and oral surgery boards. It was extremely helpful in structuring how I studied and prepared myself."

Rex Farrer, DO, San Antonio, TX

"I am so glad that I used The Pass Machine. I've been in sub-specialty training and practice since passing the Qualifying Exam (thanks COVID) and felt like I had forgotten a lot of the details of general practice. The Pass Machine really helped me focus on what was relevant, important, and high-yield. The video format that I could watch at my own pace was extremely helpful and made me feel so much more confident. I would definitely recommend this course, especially if you have a more narrow scope of practice in real life."

Micaela Weaver, DO, Exeter, RI

"I used Pass Machine for review for the Qualifying and Certifying exams for general surgery. The content was relevant, up to date, and in manageable parcels to facilitate review sessions in the midst of my busy schedule. I did not finish either course (I focused my energies on the areas I felt needed more review), but felt prepared for--and PASSED--both exams. Thanks PassMachine!"

Dylan Davey, MD, Tulsa, OK

“The most valuable asset with the Certifying Exam prep was the structure to follow and to approach all the scenarios with similar methodology. It helped to provide a study guideline and allowed me to make sure that I was prepared for situations that would certain show up on the exam. It was a useful tool.”

Preetha Ali, MD, Seattle, WA

“I passed the exam. This course helped me understand the structure of the exam and witness common mistakes that are made and how to correct them. It also helped me see the importance of technique and not just content. I would recommend this course to colleagues.”

Michelle Haslinger, MD, Denver, CO

“This course was critical to my passing of the oral boards. I was well-prepared and passed the first time around. It is a must for everyone taking the oral boards.”

Everett Bonner, MD, Denver, CO

“I found the courses indispensable for getting me through my written and oral general surgery boards....I'm so impressed, I'm getting the critical care board review with no hesitation.”

Heather Hancock, MD, San Antonio, TX

“Excellent review of multiple scenarios in a short period of time. Course made prep for orals easy. I passed without difficulties – all of my cases were in the review materials”

Jason Bowersock, MD, Lima, OH

“I actually took the course for the written exam back in June, and it was instrumental in me passing the boards at that time. So when it came time for me to choose a course for the Oral Boards, it was a no-brainer that this was the way I was going to go.”

Nathan Kanning, MD, Sand Point, ID

“The general surgery board review course was a nice review and definitely made me feel more comfortable before the exam. And... I passed with flying colors! Phew!”

Ashley Egan, MD, Garland, TX

“I passed it was incredibly helpful”

Maged Barry, MD, Chapel Hill, NC

“The materials are great! I am a 5th year resident and my program has mock orals every other month. I was picked last month and I did awesome! I used the materials to prepare, and I felt very confident about going into the exam. The organization is very clear and straight to the point. Explanations are not lengthy and therefore are easy to read and understand, and there is a lot of space to write notes. I am very happy with the self-study materials. I feel I am well ahead of the game and will be very prepared for the real exam at the end of the year.”

Maria Ver, MD, Chicago, IL

“The Oral board review course is the only one of its kind available. I found it invaluable to watch others being questioned. The accompanying notes were excellent. All of the topics I got asked in the exam were covered in this course.”

Ashling O'Connor, MD, Cambridge, MA

“Thank you very much for having me participate in your course. It was very well organized and a pleasure to attend. Small size was an advantage. The faculty is very effective and talented.”

John Griffin, MD, Westerly, RI

“This course has provided vital tools, as well as helped me to organize my preexisting tools/knowledge, to feel comfortable and more competent about the Oral Boards.”

William Phipps, MD, Warren, OH

“I highly recommend this course for preparation for the general surgery oral boards. I have taken another course and I feel better prepared after taking this course.”

Michael Hernando, MD, Mendham, NJ

“As with the review course for the qualifying exam, this course was up to date and very informative. It cut to the ‘meat’ of the necessary information without wasting time on things we should already know.”

Jennifer Martin, MD, Owensboro, KY

“I took the course - it was great! It really helped me focus on what was important for the test. The questions were priceless and almost identical to those asked on the test.”

Christine Van Cott, MD, Trumbull, CT

“It was very intense, it was very good. Dr. Chevinsky did a very nice job of covering a huge number of topics. Overall it was a great day.”

Hania Bednarski, MD, Mt. Kisco, NY

“Very informative and to the point. Concise review of scenarios and in depth management of complications. The staff is outstanding and the boot camp lecture superb.”

Kevi L. Christopher, MD, Wheaton, MD

“I found the course material and online portion very helpful, informative, and efficient. Well worth the time and money.”

Pedram Naeni, MD, Fresno, CA

“My whole preparation is based on what I hear here, and the course book that was sent. This is central, this is key.”

Nihil Jaik, MD, Nashville, TN

“The lectures were actually very good, consisting mostly of what the hot topics are on the test.”

Mehul Soni, MD, Bloomfield Hills, MI

“This course helped me to organize my study strategy, so that I can more efficiently focus my efforts”

Michael Taylor, MD, Fairview, OH

“Exam day became softball after completing this course.”

Jason Murphy, MD, Jackson, MS

“Great experience with all attending.”

Amid Keshamarzi, MD, Mountain View, CA

“Excellent surgical Boot Camp.”

Christopher Madison, MD, Beavercreek, OH

“Excellent Course!”

Michael Ditillo, MD, New Haven, CT

“Very good course.”

Diya Tantawi, MD, Medford, WI

“Great Lectures”

Mabel Chu, DO, Dublin, CA