Anyone else getting nervous about Written boards?

[Nuriko]

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There are surprisingly few threads in the Anesthesia forums about this. But as you could guess, I'm starting to feel the burn. Feel free to share any words of advice about the test, or any mutual support. Holla.

 

[Direct Laryngoscopy]

I'm honestly not too worried about it. I've just been using M5 board review for the last few weeks and when I complete that, ill use a couple of ACE questions.

I really don't know how much more difficult the written board exam be from the ITE over the last 3 years. I was never near the 10 or 15%ile so I don't think much will change July 30th. Of note I have consistently read, did questions and with a couple of my buddies, have pimped each other on concepts to ensure we have a concrete understanding of the material. It's worked for us for the last three years and I don't anticipate anything changing in the next month.

Good luck to you!

 

[loveumms]

If you have studied hard throughout residency, you will do fine. For me, I scored exactly how I did on my last ITSE.

I did every single ACE question and all the old ABA exams (they publish them on the ABA website) - although a few of them were obsolete (i.e. halothane, methoxyflurane), some of them were exactly the same as ones I had on my writtens.

 

[pie944]

If you have studied hard throughout residency, you will do fine. For me, I scored exactly how I did on my last ITSE.

I did every single ACE question and all the old ABA exams (they publish them on the ABA website) - although a few of them were obsolete (i.e. halothane, methoxyflurane), some of them were exactly the same as ones I had on my writtens.

Same was true for me last summer, reviewed the old exams from the early 90s and found around 5 questions on the real exam, word for word.

Like all written exams in medicine from the first USMLE onwards, questions are the key. The ACE questions were my main source. It is hard but take the time to read the answer for every question, even the ones you get right.

I utilized morgan and mikhail as my reading source during the month prior to the exam. I never used it in residency, but I wanted a book with adequate information and one I could completely review prior to the exam.

 

[Idiopathic]

Do the Hall book and ACE questions;prepare like its harder than the ITE (because it is)

Neuro-heavy the year i took it but i dont know if that matters year to year

 

[Nuriko]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I personally also think questions are the way to go and plan on going heavy with ACE, Hall, and any other question books I may have around.

Any thoughts on what scores to shoot for? Passing for the ITE at my institution is 25th percentile, but it seems like different programs have different cutoffs (some higher, some lower). I did about the same my first 2 years, but this year I did much worse because I didn't study as hard (was on a tough rotation that month). Granted we still have over a month, but with fellowships around the corner it feels like that time is gonna be limited.

 

[davefromcamp]

Hey guys get your hands on as many ACE exams as possible! My year I had what channel does ____ act on questions like phyentoin and gabapentin. I NEVER would have known if it weren't for the ACE tests. Also there were a couple tetanus questions in the ACE and I thought it was weird. Sure enough it showed up on my test. A few jensen questions are word for word but I have a feeling the board knows what he does and is starting to avoid his questions as much as possible. Good LUCK!

 

[Ashers]

Hey guys get your hands on as many ACE exams as possible! My year I had what channel does ____ act on questions like phyentoin and gabapentin. I NEVER would have known if it weren't for the ACE tests. Also there were a couple tetanus questions in the ACE and I thought it was weird. Sure enough it showed up on my test. A few jensen questions are word for word but I have a feeling the board knows what he does and is starting to avoid his questions as much as possible. Good LUCK!

I've done all of M5, and I'm working my way through all the ACE questions I have. I should be OK, but I get nervous before any test (especially one that costs a lot of money).