Failed the exam?

[mrjames]

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Took the exam in June. In PATHway, they allow me to register the fall exam. Does it mean I failed the spring exam? Scared. Any ideal? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com😳ffice😳ffice" /><o😛></o😛>
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[zao275]

Before you get too worried, I would suspect it is a glitch in their system. The PATHway system is new and so far it seems to have some kinks to be worked out.

 

[2121115]

Same for me. I hope it doesn't mean that.

 

[Bbanker]

Same here 🙁 I was so stressed out last night I can't even sleep

 

[KCShaw]

You haven't not-passed-yet until you get the letter specifically saying so. Everything else is panicky speculation, and you're doing yourself a disservice if you play into it.

I know waiting is a pain, but the best you can do is use this tweener time to enjoy yourself -- you've taken the exam(s) and don't need to study for that right now, and you've probably just started either a fellowship or a "real" job and likely have plenty of other things to focus on pathology-wise. If you've just moved, take some time to learn your new location. Enjoy yourself the best you can, and focus on the things you need to focus on.

 

[ja1]

I took AP/CP in June and registered for the subspecialty exam in September. PATHway assigned Subspecialty examination date. Does it mean that I passed?!

 

[green mantis]

I took AP/CP in June and registered for the subspecialty exam in September. PATHway assigned Subspecialty examination date. Does it mean that I passed?!

Ability to register for a subspecialty exam is nothing new prior to finding out if you passed. You could do so before the current system. If you wind up not passing (not eligible for the subspecialty exam), your fee can be applied to the retake. Unfortunately, I think ABP charges you a fee to re-assign it.


----- Antony

 

[Pingu]

Took the exam in June. In PATHway, they allow me to register the fall exam. Does it mean I failed the spring exam? Scared. Any ideal?

I took the boards in October 2009 and passed. I too was able to register on PATHway prior to receiving my score so it doesn't mean that you failed.

 

[Bbanker]

I took the boards in October 2009 and passed. I too was able to register on PATHway prior to receiving my score so it doesn't mean that you failed.

Thank you 😍😍😍 I loved you man!!

 

[greennature]

I just noticed that I have 2010 Fall PRIMARY Exam Registration Tracking on my Pathway board corresponance page..do you all have it?

Thanks

 

[ja1]

I have 2010 Fall PRIMARY Exam Registration Tracking on my Pathway as well. They also gave me date for the subspecialty exam...I don't know what to think

 

[Gorlum]

I just noticed that I have 2010 Fall PRIMARY Exam Registration Tracking on my Pathway board corresponance page..do you all have it?

I don't.

 

[KluverB]

I took the boards in June and then at band camp, I stuck a flute in my buccal cavity, and now I can register for the Fall exam. Do I have the herpes?

 

[yoman06m]

I just noticed that I have 2010 Fall PRIMARY Exam Registration Tracking on my Pathway board corresponance page..do you all have it?

Thanks

I do too. I didn't yesterday. But today it came up on my tracking as well.

 

[KCShaw]

Is your mouth itchy or painful?

 

[greennature]

I can't tolerate the waiting...Any news from the board?

 

[2121115]

The registration deadline for the Fall exam is August 15. You would think that they would have to release the results of the Spring exam before they close registration for the fall exam. It would only make sense, otherwise those unfortunate enough to not pass would not be able to register to retake the exam.

 

[luvalotapath]

So from what I gather the board sends you a email on Thursday and tells you to check the website Friday morning, is that what everyone else has heard????

 

[2121115]

This Thursday? As in tomorrow?

 

[KCShaw]

According to the ABPath.org faq, you'll get an email when the results are posted to PATHWay. That whole system is new to me, however.

 

[luvalotapath]

Yeah this Thursday as in tommorow, according to FAQ the results are released 4-6 weeks after the last exam was taken. This Friday marks the 5th Friday post exams. I asked some people who took it a couple years back and that is the information I got.

 

[zao275]

According to the ABPath.org faq, you'll get an email when the results are posted to PATHWay. That whole system is new to me, however.

I assumed I would get an email when my date to take the exam had been assigned. I did get an email from the ABP, but it was nearly 3 weeks after my exam date was available on PATHway. It seems like an ok system but it has some kinks to be worked out.

 

[KCShaw]

I seem to remember getting a letter from ABPath indicating all my application materials were received & complete the day AFTER I received notice of what date my exam would be. They are, however, usually timely with results (within the time they say results will be out).

Again -- until you get direct and specific notice of your results, really, try not to think about it. When results come in people will talk. You won't miss it! Meanwhile, there's nothing you can do to alter this year's timeframe. (You can always try to get involved in improving ABPath's performance for next year..)

 

[star23]

So much for the getting our scores early Friday morning theory...

 

[Unknown Primary]

i agree...this is torture

 

[2121115]

I called them. They said the results would be released in mid to late August.

So, don't hold your breath.

 

[Unknown Primary]

It seems odd that they would wait that long to release the scores since we have to register by August 15th to re-take the exam in the Fall. I definitely want to re-take in the Fall if that's what it comes down to.
Thanks for sharing the info ...

 

[Unknown Primary]

A friend of mine just sent me the ABP reply to an inquiry regarding when the spring test results would be released.

"Results should be released by the middle of August."

 

[luvalotapath]

Yeah so much for my sources, this is agonizing I still dont know why we are tortured in this way for all of our Exam scores???

I agree August 15 sounds late. I guess Ill just have to deal with it.

But thanks everyone for sharing the info!

 

[deleted314957]

How can so many people be worried about failing this exam? If you are a bottom 30%'er you may well have a problem. If not-- you should not have a problem. If you need an examplar, look at your RISE scores. If you were a bottom 30%'er you can anticipate a problem. If not, you should be fine.
I cannot believe how much angst regular people put into this stuff. It makes me wonder why every one of you is not dependent on some form of drug.

 

[HbyHA]

people are worried about failing this exam because it was a completely demoralizing experience. very little of how i will or did practice pathology as a resident was represented on that test. instead, it was a complete mind**** with no clear explanation of how they actually grade. i've taken quite a few tests over the years (as i know we all have) and i've obviously done reasonably well on them. i have never left a test feeling so ridiculously stupid.

how could you NOT worry?

 

[yoman06m]

people are worried about failing this exam because it was a completely demoralizing experience. very little of how i will or did practice pathology as a resident was represented on that test. instead, it was a complete mind**** with no clear explanation of how they actually grade. i've taken quite a few tests over the years (as i know we all have) and i've obviously done reasonably well on them. i have never left a test feeling so ridiculously stupid.

how could you NOT worry?

Exactly!!! The test was humbling to say the least. I hope we get our results soon. I'm hoping for this first week of August.

 

[2121115]

Exactly!!! The test was humbling to say the least. I hope we get our results soon. I'm hoping for this first week of August.

I agree that the test was humbling, very much so.

Bottom 30%? 30% is not an insignificantly low number. What kind of self respecting profession has trainees of which 30% are not fit to practice after 5-6 years.

 

[KCShaw]

Internal medicine claims roughly a 10% fail rate, or a little less, for first time takers: www.abim.org/pdf/pass-rates/cert.pdf (it's a little worse for their subspecialty exams). Not that anyone really wanted to see that. Heh. The good news is, it's actually not much "worse" for pathology: www.abpath.org/2010ABPExaminer.pdf<cite> </cite>

I know it's stressful, I know it's a hard exam, and I know everyone feels their entire lives are resting on knowing whether you've passed yet -- just like a lot of people felt about the SAT, MCAT, Step I, and Step II. We'll ignore Step III for the sake of argument. But, if you can call up enough willpower to ignore it until you get information you can do something with, you'll live at least an extra 6.2 weeks.

 

[Gorlum]

How can so many people be worried about failing this exam? I cannot believe how much angst regular people put into this stuff. It makes me wonder why every one of you is not dependent on some form of drug.

Agree with you. What is the point to freak out if there is nothing one can do about it? It's been taken, and a person of reasonable intelligence can estimate his/her performance. Whenever an official confirmation comes, doesn't matter.

 

[2121115]

It's been taken, and a person of reasonable intelligence can estimate his/her performance. Whenever an official confirmation comes, doesn't matter.

Well, LOL to that.


Anyway, this week is the 6th week since the last examination date. You would have to think we'd hear something this week, maybe next week at the latest. They say the results are posted to pathway 4-6 weeks after the last examination date.

 

[star23]

For real, after today they only have 2 days left in their 4-6 week time frame. I just hope they aren't a month late in releasing scores like they were a month late in assigning our exam dates. Everyone remember how we were supposed to receive those in "early" March and got them in April?