How accurate is AAMC Medical Specialty test?

[FellowPaisan]

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My school seems to swear by it that if you answer it honestly it will basically choose the ideal field for you. Yes some questions are super leading but I took a step back and answered it the best I could and was interested by the results. A very competitive field was recommended to me by multiple people months ago (ENT) and I never considered it. In april I took the test not knowing much about the field and it came out to be the highest score clearly. The field that I am probably going into also very competitive -urology came out low. I began to shadow docs in ENT and I realized how much I like it, if not see myself doing it. Now my head has been really fuzzy because I feel very unmotivated about urology and feel honestly kind of depressed about not following my heart. At one pt I know I loved urology so I don't know if my interests changed or something else. The fact they are both so competitive kind of amplifies are bad situation. Its a weird situation.

So basically I want to know what you think of the test and how accurate it was for you? I will take your opinion of my situation also if you want.

 

[DaTruMD]

Ignore it. Are you really going to let your future be determined by some questionnaire? Do whatever specialty you want.

 

[raiderette]

So many of the questions were still hypothetical for me because I really won't know until I am on the wards whether I truly want procedures, continuity of care, etc. Before that, it is all guesswork.

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[MSTP18]

Ignore it. Are you really going to let your future be determined by some questionnaire? Do whatever specialty you want.

if a questionnaire and a few hours shadowing an ENT were enough to totally shake OP's urology core I have to question which is the specialty OP really wants.

 

[FellowPaisan]

if a questionnaire and a few hours shadowing an ENT were enough to totally shake OP's urology core I have to question which is the specialty OP really wants.

I honestly think I am influenced by the attending. I like urology. When I am with the young doc who does all the robotic cases I love it. Unfortunately, i have spent an inordinate amount of time with the old doc with not much of a personality who does very boring cases and doesn't teach. I think I figured it out.

 

[ERDOC555]

My school seems to swear by it that if you answer it honestly it will basically choose the ideal field for you. Yes some questions are super leading but I took a step back and answered it the best I could and was interested by the results. A very competitive field was recommended to me by multiple people months ago (ENT) and I never considered it. In april I took the test not knowing much about the field and it came out to be the highest score clearly. The field that I am probably going into also very competitive -urology came out low. I began to shadow docs in ENT and I realized how much I like it, if not see myself doing it. Now my head has been really fuzzy because I feel very unmotivated about urology and feel honestly kind of depressed about not following my heart. At one pt I know I loved urology so I don't know if my interests changed or something else. The fact they are both so competitive kind of amplifies are bad situation. Its a weird situation.

So basically I want to know what you think of the test and how accurate it was for you? I will take your opinion of my situation also if you want.

The test is complete trash especially for a new student. Maybe it would be better after third year, but even then it's trash. I would suspect that maybe something in the top 5 may be a career you will like, but it's laughable to think that the #1 result would be "the best" for any large percent of the population.

You'll be doing this for the next 40 years of your life, don't give the test a second thought, except for maybe determining what order you want to start shadowing in.

 

[Lannister]

It told me I should do derm. As if I'm even going to have the option to do derm.

 

[Moose A Moose]

I'd take the "what's your spirit animal" quiz more seriously than the AAMC's specialty test.

 

[PatsyStone]

It's not a sorting hat, but it gives you ideas and possibilities, and that can help you consider specialties you might not have otherwise thought about.

The test is also helpful because it makes you reflect on your skills and interest. Yes, the test tries to tie that to specific specialties, but again, then benefit is that it makes you aware of your strengths and weaknesses. As you go through your third year, you should know what you like and don't like, what you can and cannot handle. Taking time to reflect on those in this test can be invaluable.

 

[FellowPaisan]

It's not a sorting hat, but it gives you ideas and possibilities, and that can help you consider specialties you might not have otherwise thought about.

The test is also helpful because it makes you reflect on your skills and interest. Yes, the test tries to tie that to specific specialties, but again, then benefit is that it makes you aware of your strengths and weaknesses. As you go through your third year, you should know what you like and don't like, what you can and cannot handle. Taking time to reflect on those in this test can be invaluable.

the issue is for many of these fields you have to know early and once you explore a field late in the year it could already be too late to throw your hat into the race

 

[PatsyStone]

the issue is for many of these fields you have to know early and once you explore a field late in the year it could already be too late to throw your hat into the race

Again, the test is not a sorting hat, nor is it the end-all.

If you think you're interested in ENT--even it is just a small inkling--do you know what you should do? Email the ENT department at your school and try to start shadowing.

As with many things in life, you can be as proactive as you want. This test is but one of several tools at your disposal. If you are really stressed about this, starting getting exposure and shadow people.

Also, it is never too late. I am a derm resident, and I know people who changed their minds at the last minute. Did it suck having to delay graduation or doing a research year? Yes, but in the grand scheme of a 35+ year career, it was a drop in the bucket.

There are quite a few threads from time-to-time of people who are going into fourth year but don't know what they want to go into. These are exceptions and not the norm. You will learn REALLY quick during third year what you like and what you hate.

 

[MSTP18]

the issue is for many of these fields you have to know early and once you explore a field late in the year it could already be too late to throw your hat into the race

that's not a flaw of the test, that's a flaw in MedEd

 

[DropMets]

Idk, I think a lot of people choose answers that are in line with the results they want to get. Half the time I'm not even sure what the hell it's really asking me.

 

[hunterjumper14]

I think mine said I should do allergy/immunology, nephrology, or aerospace medicine. I matched ortho. And I also hate nephrology like you wouldn't believe!

 

[Pathman1000]

Follow your instincts: Which head do you want to specialize in?