I memorized all of true learn. I would be lying if I didn't say that indeed there were questions that were word for word from true learn but those questions can be counted on a maximum of two hands. As I explained above, we all made it to anesthesia because we have the brains and also the test taking skills as you wouldn't be in anesthesia if you did not perform well on the USMLE. With that in mind it is the duty of the ABA to make tests that are not only fair but also RELEVANT. The key word is revelant. If I somehow pass this exam I sincerely do not feel that I was tested in regards to how well I know my "basic anesthesia". I do not and will not have the feeling that my basic skills were tested appropriately as many questions had nothing to do with anesthesia nor its fundamentals.
For example, someone please explain to me how knowing what second messenger correlates to how I am going to be a better anesthesiologist? We needed to know second messengers and biochemistry for STEP 1. We all obviously passed step one therefor why on earth are we being tested on it ?
The ABA should have tested us on stuff that is relevant to our practice and not only minute details that simply don't matter. I'm not asking for the test to be easy but the objective should be to test individuals on high yield material that we absolutely need to know. Another example would be the million and one questions on IV fluids. In our CA1 year we use LR, NS, plasmylate, and maybe dextrose containing fluids. We have to know every detail about these fluids as we are anesthesiologists. With that being said, the ABA tested us on fluids like normosmol (first time I ever hear of this fluid). What benefit does that do? What that does is make you get the question wrong... That's what that does. If you get the questions about LR and NS wrong than it is fair to say that you did not prepare well and failure on this exam shouldn't be a shock. But to get a question on some random crap like acupuncture for instance does not test if I learned anything in my CA1 year.
Now many of you may disagree and say that I'm talking out of my ass which I may be doing but the fact of the matter is that this exam was created to test our basic understanding of first year anesthesia. What I personally felt was that this exam tested my test taking skills which is horse**** because that is what the USMLE was created for. Further this exam tested me on minute, specific, and unimportant questions. Those of us who are banking on numerous questions being thrown out should be mad because this examination in its entirety should be solve able and all questions should be fair and yes ALL residents should pass if they studied properly. We have all proven ourselves already as we have made it this far.