Inservice Exam

[chigrl08]

Hi,
I'm currently an intern and was told by multiple people not to do well on my first inservice exam even by my program so of course, I didn't care much for it. This is to "show improvement" they say over the next years so it looks like you've learned a lot in residency.

Anyhow, of course later, the score is being used against myself even when other interns have scored much less than my own score. I know nobody studies for these things but for me it would really help if anyone had any recommendations on how to do well on the exam? It would just mean a lot to me to do well on it especially because I think it's unfair to be discriminated against because of a test we were told to do bad on.

Thanks! I appreciate anyone's advice

 

[kristing]

Hi,
I'm currently an intern and was told by multiple people not to do well on my first inservice exam even by my program so of course, I didn't care much for it. This is to "show improvement" they say over the next years so it looks like you've learned a lot in residency.

Anyhow, of course later, the score is being used against myself even when other interns have scored much less than my own score. I know nobody studies for these things but for me it would really help if anyone had any recommendations on how to do well on the exam? It would just mean a lot to me to do well on it especially because I think it's unfair to be discriminated against because of a test we were told to do bad on.

Thanks! I appreciate anyone's advice

I crammed the prep material. Did all the questions and read the answers. It worked well for me, but I always hovered around 50th percentile. (My last year was a little better, though.)

 

[bks524]

This is more for others who might read your post. Do not tank the inservice exams! There really is no point to do less than your best. They are supposed to show improvement over the 3 years. Do you want to see a real gauge of how you are doing or a "falsely" reassuring sign of improvement.

On another note, some fellowship programs will ask to see your inservice exam scores from the first and second year. Again, Don't tank the tests! Do your best.

As for studying, PREP questions are my favorite and then just show up for conferences and read about your patients. Good luck

 

[Stitch]

What do you mean by the scores 'being used against you'? I agree that tanking them on purpose is not a great idea. We use them to assess whether or not a resident may need extra help to study or prepare, but there's not punishment for not doing well. In all, a program wants its residents to succeed on the Boards.

Med Study are great books to read throughout residency, but aside from that $400 investment, I think the PREP questions are great. Remember you can do them on line. Even just a few questions a week is helpful. The magazine "Pediatrics" is Board oriented and has great review. I think you get a free subscription by being a resident. It's easy reading and has great info.