Does your program make you take a test before you start?

[RussianJoo]

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my residency program makes all interns take a general knowledge test before we start, should I study for this thing? I am an IMG, and graduated a few months ago, since then I've been enjoying my last long vacation and spending time with friends having a good time, i.e. haven't done anything related to medicine at all. I did well above the national average on steps 1 and 2, but still I am sure I forgot a lot basic science knowledge.

What do you guys think? Does your residency make you take a test like this? did you study for it?

thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[IMdocT]

my program has not given me any info at all other than mail me paperwork and an acls book. schedules aren't handed out until the first day of orientation, which is just a couple days before the first rotation. i wouldn't know what to read if i had a knowledge assessment test. i'd probably bomb it. my brain has been on vacation for a long time.

 

[ShyRem]

Well, I'm a couple days into orientation and no exams so far other than the usual CBLs on policy and stuff. ACLS next week.

I'm sure if I took a general knowledge test i would totally get a negative score. Probably wouldn't even spell my name right.

 

[RussianJoo]

yeah we just got our orientation schedule emailed to us. and the last day is this general knowledge test. maybe it won't be about medicine? it will be on sports and different kinds of beers? it never said it's a general medical knowledge test. i

oh well i'll have to collaborate with the rest of the interns, but i bet there will be a few gunners who go home and study right after orientation instead of hitting the bar and getting to know each other. damn you gunners!!!

 

[smq123]

my residency program makes all interns take a general knowledge test before we start, should I study for this thing?

We had to take the previous year's inservice exam. I didn't study for it - we were told, basically, not to study for it. It was to see how well we did at baseline, and to see how much we improved when we took the actual inservice exam.

 

[RussianJoo]

yeah but, i am an anesthesia resident and my first year is an internal medicine year. so I won't be taking IM inservice exams after my first year, I am not even sure if I take it my frist year. I guess I'll ask them. I just don't want to be the only one not studying and get the lowest score on the exam and then have attendings ride me hard the whole year because of that.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I am not even sure if I take it my frist year.

you don't take it

 

[gutonc]

you don't take it

Depends on the program. Most don't but there are some who do give it to interns. Making a prelim take it is just dumb though.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I hate to say this, but everything "counts". If they really didn;t care about your score on this, they wouldn't have you take it in the first place.

 

[obpgy1]

my residency program makes all interns take a general knowledge test before we start, should I study for this thing? I am an IMG, and graduated a few months ago, since then I've been enjoying my last long vacation and spending time with friends having a good time, i.e. haven't done anything related to medicine at all. I did well above the national average on steps 1 and 2, but still I am sure I forgot a lot basic science knowledge.

What do you guys think? Does your residency make you take a test like this? did you study for it?

thanks in advance for your replies.

I'd just read up a little bit. Or do some practice questions. I don't want to sound like an over achiever but why not try to do somewhat well.

I can only imagine getting a lower score compared to your peers won't garner you any positive attention.

 

[penguin24]

I think the reason that the program is giving you guys the test is simply to assess your general fund of knowledge. They just want to see where the new crop of interns stands. I wouldn't study for it, just let your natural abilities shine.

 

[Law2Doc]

... Does your residency make you take a test like this? did you study for it? ...

My program made us take a urine test. Stayed up all night studying for it.😎