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[SLUsagar]

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not that i particularly care, but i noticed a slight change in the schedule compared to last year.
notably, the microscope glass slide&virtual portions have been moved up to the first thing in the morning. last year i believe it was in the afternoon, post-lunch.
perhaps folks complained about the strain on their eyes or general fatigue to look at slides later on in the day, who knows. but yeah, i actually would prefer NOT to be looking at slides through a scope 1st thing as part of my board examination, especially since we're all now geared and used to computer-based exams (step's, RISE). I'd much prefer to start with AP written, THEN the slides. but i suppose in the end, don't matter much.

anyhow, thought i'd pass this info on. and remember these #s, as i do whenever i start to get stressed or worried: 88%, 76% - not freaking bad okay, i think we'll all be alright [AP/CP most recent pass rates, per the ABP path website]. i've heard a running/recurring theme from folks (here at least) about the exam: if you're ACTUALLY worried, you'll probably be fine (another version: if you're worried enough about passing, you'll be okay). it's the folks that don't give a ****, or wing it, or think they know enough to walk in and pass no prob [and YES, these types of people exist] that often end up failing...although i've got real proof to show this. but it makes for a great motivational tool and keeps me sane.

g'luck everyone

 

[BierstiefelAndy]

not that i particularly care, but i noticed a slight change in the schedule compared to last year.
notably, the microscope glass slide&virtual portions have been moved up to the first thing in the morning. last year i believe it was in the afternoon, post-lunch.
perhaps folks complained about the strain on their eyes or general fatigue to look at slides later on in the day, who knows. but yeah, i actually would prefer NOT to be looking at slides through a scope 1st thing as part of my board examination, especially since we're all now geared and used to computer-based exams (step's, RISE). I'd much prefer to start with AP written, THEN the slides. but i suppose in the end, don't matter much.

anyhow, thought i'd pass this info on. and remember these #s, as i do whenever i start to get stressed or worried: 88%, 76% - not freaking bad okay, i think we'll all be alright [AP/CP most recent pass rates, per the ABP path website]. i've heard a running/recurring theme from folks (here at least) about the exam: if you're ACTUALLY worried, you'll probably be fine (another version: if you're worried enough about passing, you'll be okay). it's the folks that don't give a ****, or wing it, or think they know enough to walk in and pass no prob [and YES, these types of people exist] that often end up failing...although i've got real proof to show this. but it makes for a great motivational tool and keeps me sane.

g'luck everyone

Oh well, I don't know if this change in the testing schedule is for the better or for worse. I guess we just have to take the test and reflect on it afterwards.

From what I hear, it's really the CP board exam that is the tough part. I can't imagine what it would be like if I had to study for both AP and CP. More power to you all who are taking the combined AP/CP boards...I have a lot of respect for you all.

I know of only one person who failed AP in my program. That was many years ago. From what I heard, it was a person who went straight to lab after 2 yrs of AP and didn't take studying for the AP boards seriously. But even though I am only studying for the AP boards only, I'm still shakin' and scared sh*tless. Hopefully I pass. It's an expensive exam...a whoppin' $1800. Ouch!

 

[mcfaddens]

not that i particularly care, but i noticed a slight change in the schedule compared to last year.
notably, the microscope glass slide&virtual portions have been moved up to the first thing in the morning. last year i believe it was in the afternoon, post-lunch.
perhaps folks complained about the strain on their eyes or general fatigue to look at slides later on in the day, who knows. but yeah, i actually would prefer NOT to be looking at slides through a scope 1st thing as part of my board examination, especially since we're all now geared and used to computer-based exams (step's, RISE). I'd much prefer to start with AP written, THEN the slides. but i suppose in the end, don't matter much.

anyhow, thought i'd pass this info on. and remember these #s, as i do whenever i start to get stressed or worried: 88%, 76% - not freaking bad okay, i think we'll all be alright [AP/CP most recent pass rates, per the ABP path website]. i've heard a running/recurring theme from folks (here at least) about the exam: if you're ACTUALLY worried, you'll probably be fine (another version: if you're worried enough about passing, you'll be okay). it's the folks that don't give a ****, or wing it, or think they know enough to walk in and pass no prob [and YES, these types of people exist] that often end up failing...although i've got real proof to show this. but it makes for a great motivational tool and keeps me sane.

g'luck everyone

Keeping sane is the hardest part !! Im pretty sure I now have tried to memorize 90+% of all translocations associated with mankind and have retained 60% of them. Im hoping to reach some sort of zen point before the exam so that i can hammer it out like it is nothing (Bruce lee,Mr. Miyagi, Kane from kung fu, shaolin monk style) Good luck everyone ..and if anyone happens to find more exam like question challenge web sites feel free to post them!

 

[dodobird13]

From what I hear, it's really the CP board exam that is the tough part.

ironically i have recently heard the opposite - that ap is the bear. yay, us!!!!

 

[yaah]

I thought AP was harder than I expected, CP was not as bad as expected. It's probably all based on your expectations though. If you go in thinking AP is easy, it will seem harder. I do think CP is much harder to study for though - simply because of volume of info. AP might be harder to study for if you come from a crappy program.

 

[LADoc00]

I thought AP was harder than I expected, CP was not as bad as expected. It's probably all based on your expectations though. If you go in thinking AP is easy, it will seem harder. I do think CP is much harder to study for though - simply because of volume of info. AP might be harder to study for if you come from a crappy program.

I thought both AP/CP and my subspecs were vastly harder than any test I had taken prior. Step boards are simply a joke by comparison as is the MCAT (which are simply read a study book over a long weekend and walk in and take em type tests). In terms of actual prep, I thought AP was the easiest to prep for and therefore seem confident about. I still think some of CP ?s there is simply no way to prep for in a reasonable fashion.

In fact I had to go back to PChem tests in my college days where the average score was 40/100 to even get a comparable reference point.


That said,
your checklist for boards should be:
1.) drinks night before at PF Changs across the street
2.) lunch during test at Panera
3.) if you are taking both back to back, then dinner at the hotel bar chatting it up with fellow takers
4.) post exam cigar from the hotel cigar shop (although someone posted they closed that...wth)
5.) dinner and wine, then drinks at Blue Mango (? I think thats the place).
6.) late night run to Mons (cue Rappin-4-Tay's classic "Playaz Club")
7.) back to hotel, passed out around 5am
8.) 6am flight back home

 

[BierstiefelAndy]

I thought both AP/CP and my subspecs were vastly harder than any test I had taken prior. Step boards are simply a joke by comparison as is the MCAT (which are simply read a study book over a long weekend and walk in and take em type tests). In terms of actual prep, I thought AP was the easiest to prep for and therefore seem confident about. I still think some of CP ?s there is simply no way to prep for in a reasonable fashion.

In fact I had to go back to PChem tests in my college days where the average score was 40/100 to even get a comparable reference point.


That said,
your checklist for boards should be:
1.) drinks night before at PF Changs across the street
2.) lunch during test at Panera
3.) if you are taking both back to back, then dinner at the hotel bar chatting it up with fellow takers
4.) post exam cigar from the hotel cigar shop (although someone posted they closed that...wth)
5.) dinner and wine, then drinks at Blue Mango (? I think thats the place).
6.) late night run to Mons (cue Rappin-4-Tay's classic "Playaz Club")
7.) back to hotel, passed out around 5am
8.) 6am flight back home

I too hear that the AP boards are easier to prepare for. But I also hear that people feel like crap after taking boards anyway. I also hear that the fail rate for AP boards is lower than for CP boards.

Couple that with the fact that boards are scored AFTER everyone takes the exam. Sure, the ABP says that the boards are not "curved"; however, this implies that a passing cutoff is determined after all the examinees take the exam. This is consistent with people advising me to study enough to be in the "middle of the pack" and thereby not fail.

But what exactly is "studying enough"?

Anyways, I'm flying back home right after the exam and I'll go out drinking in my hometown.

Two facts:
1) The boards suck.
2) Good luck everyone...we need it!

 

[deschutes]

That said,
your checklist for boards should be:
1.) drinks night before at PF Changs across the street
2.) lunch during test at Panera
3.) if you are taking both back to back, then dinner at the hotel bar chatting it up with fellow takers

Dude, I fly all the way to Tampa and your advice is to eat at a chain?

But what exactly is "studying enough"?

Tell me about it. Program-specific advice has recommended that I not neglect AP and "just study enough CP", whatever that means.

I'm getting to the point where I think maybe I should just study CP to the max and if I don't pass AP, I'll just take it after my fellowship.

 

[Pingu]

Program-specific advice has recommended that I not neglect AP and "just study enough CP", whatever that means.

I actually enjoy studying AP, but when it comes time to study CP, I can find a billion other things that 'need' to be done, like rearranging furniture, mopping floors, or shopping. I've actually started to keep track of time studied just to ensure I'm actually devoting any time to CP.

 

[MirkoCrocop]

i grew up in tampa before my medical journey began. f you dont want to eat at a chain and want to celebrate with an expensive dinner that's unique to tampa id recommend going to Bern's Steakhouse.

http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/

but, then again, you may just want to go to chili's.

 

[SLUsagar]

I actually enjoy studying AP, but when it comes time to study CP, I can find a billion other things that 'need' to be done, like rearranging furniture, mopping floors, or shopping. I've actually started to keep track of time studied just to ensure I'm actually devoting any time to CP.

i feel ya'. had been a good kid in studying for mainly CP>AP since post-USCAP. But i broke down late last week and was tempted by a looming, unfinished project that "had" to get out. Granted if i was studying for AP i'd have likely just waited until after boards, but i'll do anything to get away and take a mental break from CP, even if that means clinical/translational research.

update --good news: i'm nearly finished with the manuscript and will resume studying next week. probably. ok most likely. well, i still have to take some last pics for the paper but then after that, for sure. i think so......(i'm feeling the urge to become a politician)

 

[yaah]

I thought both AP/CP and my subspecs were vastly harder than any test I had taken prior.

I agree with that. The amount of studying was orders of magnitude more, as well as the amount of detail that is important. That being said, people should realize that is is essentially impossible to be "completely" prepared. So if you stress out about that, you only hurt yourself.