Official ABIM 2013 Thread
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I'm reading he core now. I really like it. Concise but enough detail. I find alot of overlap in te mksap questions.
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45 minutes to Onc, a week to Heme.
really? I got a lot of chemo and staging questions on my ITE.
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Hey guys, you'll probably think this is a silly stupid question but what did everyone do for lunch during the exam? Just eat in the waiting area? Drive out somewhere? Snack in between blocks? I personally can't concentrate on a growling stomach so would like to plan that out! 🙂
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I do realize that I'm the weirdo when it comes to this issue, but I can't imagine taking a break during any of these standardized exams, unless my bladder and/or bowels were about to burst wide open. I hate taking these tests so much I just want to power through and get the damn things over with. Plus, if you take a break don't you have to go through some ridiculously complex system of re-fingerprinting and retinal scans and examination of your idiosyncratic sigmoid colon curvature and all this BS to prove that you're the same individual who just stepped out thirty seconds ago to pound a 5-Hour Energy? I remember at one point during my cardiology boards I thought "I'd love to take a leak right now... but f*** it, I'm not dealing with all of that bulls***" and I just kept going.
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I was planning on attending the Chicago Awesome review course this yr but would not be able to attend all the lectures because of conflicting schedule. I dont think I would be able to attend missed lectures at other locations too, what do you recommend ??? Do they provide all the reading material on Day 1, would using their material without actually attending really hurt
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I'm a first time taker and working and would love to find a study partner to help keep accountable to a successful study plan. I am just settling in my new job and apartment. But I know I need to get cracking on this monster of an exam. Plan so far is to do MKSAP 16 , video review (Pass Machine), BB3, and a board review course. I'm not good at having too many review books but these materials seem key. If I have time I may add another question bank.
My job is busy like I am sure for everyone else and I also take call and round on patients in the hospital and am in a busy clinic and sometimes travel to satellite clinics. I used to be at work late from charting and going in on my days off but starting to get better at leaving on time.
I graduated from a dual residency program so am not sure if I'm taking a second board as well in the Fall but for the next several months the focus is on IM.
Contact me if interested
My job is busy like I am sure for everyone else and I also take call and round on patients in the hospital and am in a busy clinic and sometimes travel to satellite clinics. I used to be at work late from charting and going in on my days off but starting to get better at leaving on time.
I graduated from a dual residency program so am not sure if I'm taking a second board as well in the Fall but for the next several months the focus is on IM.
Contact me if interested
I am a second time taker for 2013...
My story is that I was overconfident my first time...didn't work hard enough..taught others who passed...I failed by a couple of points....but did!! that was 2010.
Now I am a practicing physician....I hate this exam because it just sits there and humiliates me and makes me feel like a LOSER!..I can't keep putting it off!..I think I am smart enough...have done well with most things..
My stategy
#1..OVERCOME MY FEAR!!!
I don't have current MKSAPs....don't know how much to invest...was thinking to get MKSAP 15 CD..and start practicising that!
Also will start studying from MKSAP books ( a fellow physician has MKSAP 16..I think I personally own MKSAP 14) and do medstudy core I have 13th edition...( would that be fine or do I need to upgrade?)
Also for questions what resources should I use?..besides MKSAP...medstudy?...
LAts but not the least...should I be going to a program....I saw an intense medstudy live prpgram for 10 days in Dallas...any reviews....is it worth it,...or should I get DVDs...I honestly donot know how motivated I would be to watch those DVDs....
appreciate feedbacka nd would take up a study partner if someone's interested in joining me...
Thanks
My story is that I was overconfident my first time...didn't work hard enough..taught others who passed...I failed by a couple of points....but did!! that was 2010.
Now I am a practicing physician....I hate this exam because it just sits there and humiliates me and makes me feel like a LOSER!..I can't keep putting it off!..I think I am smart enough...have done well with most things..
My stategy
#1..OVERCOME MY FEAR!!!
I don't have current MKSAPs....don't know how much to invest...was thinking to get MKSAP 15 CD..and start practicising that!
Also will start studying from MKSAP books ( a fellow physician has MKSAP 16..I think I personally own MKSAP 14) and do medstudy core I have 13th edition...( would that be fine or do I need to upgrade?)
Also for questions what resources should I use?..besides MKSAP...medstudy?...
LAts but not the least...should I be going to a program....I saw an intense medstudy live prpgram for 10 days in Dallas...any reviews....is it worth it,...or should I get DVDs...I honestly donot know how motivated I would be to watch those DVDs....
appreciate feedbacka nd would take up a study partner if someone's interested in joining me...
Thanks
🙂I just started MKSAP and noticed that I am slow as I took at least 3-4 days of MKSAP Cardiology to answer and read the &A.Is that normal? how does one need to do to be faster and fruitful MKSAP..I do save the answers on MS to repeat the answers 1-2 weeks before exam day.🙂
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I still contend that the most fruitful way to do this is to give yourself a pre-test in each sub-topic (20-30 Q's) before you read a word of anything. Then find the areas you score <75% (or so...pick a cutoff that is at least 70%) and read those sections. If you're scoring 85-90% on a sub-topic, a quick read of BB3 or other brief review and then go through the rest of the Q's is probably all you need.
It's unlikely you'll score 60% or lower on every section (or 85% or higher for that matter) and this will allow you to focus your studying so that spending a week or more on a topic isn't that big a deal, when you only have 3 or 4 topics that need that much review.
To more directly answer your question, the Cards section of MKSAP15 was horribly written and way too dense (and useless) to get through. Pick something else. Nobody says you have to start on page 1.
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since its been a couple years since you took the exam, i would suggest getting the most up to date material instead of relying on older material. would consider a review course to get yourself focused...the cleveland clinic one was really good and the awesome review one is very board-centric.
You have taken the first step by recognizing that you were overconfident the first time. Respect the test and put all your energy in studying and aim to ace it. Start by getting new materials. What you used in the past is probably more outdated than you can imagine. You don't want to risk missing questions because you had the wrong information.
Overcome your Fear! The best way to do it is by studying and doing questions along the way. You'll see your bad areas and where you need to improve. As you read you should get better and your percentages should improve. That will give you the confidence to keep going and fear will be a thing of the past. A little anxiety is good so that you do not be come overconfident again, of course but NO FEAR.
What material to read depends on how comfortable you are on the knowledge you have and how fast you can read. Maybe Medstudy is the way to go if you don't have much time. Since you are not in training anymore I suppose you are very busy and may not have as much time as when you were a resident. In that case Medstudy may be your best option. Although the books are short, there is a lot of information condensed in a few pages so it may not be as quick a read as you might think. There is a new edition out there and they let you read the pulmonary book for free in their website. You might want to take a look at that.
Another option is to do videos. Usually these are form lasts year's live course which they make for people who like to watch them or those who don't have time to go to a live course. I went to Medstudy live last year. It is good, but I HIGHLY recommend that you read (or go through the videos) before you attend. There is a ton of information that will be condensed in those 10 days and you may feel overwhelmed. Also the review ends about two months before the test which may feel like you have to cram at the last minute in order to go through all the material one more time.
I have no experience with Cleveland Clinic review. Maybe others can comment. The ACP board review was not as high yield as I expected when I took it 2 years ago.
Get Boards Basics 3 from ACP and using together with any material you decide on (books/video/both). It complements the information and can be a great last minute review if you use it well. Do MKSAP questions for every section. Even though they may seem easier than the exam they are good practice. You can try USMLE world questoins. Some people who passed last year swear by them. And their format seems to be very close to the actual exam.
I don't think there is an easy way especially for the repeat test takers. You have to invest time energy and money, so put everything aside as much as you can. If you need to change shifts at work do it. This is the time to put yourself first at least until August. Good luck!
Overcome your Fear! The best way to do it is by studying and doing questions along the way. You'll see your bad areas and where you need to improve. As you read you should get better and your percentages should improve. That will give you the confidence to keep going and fear will be a thing of the past. A little anxiety is good so that you do not be come overconfident again, of course but NO FEAR.
What material to read depends on how comfortable you are on the knowledge you have and how fast you can read. Maybe Medstudy is the way to go if you don't have much time. Since you are not in training anymore I suppose you are very busy and may not have as much time as when you were a resident. In that case Medstudy may be your best option. Although the books are short, there is a lot of information condensed in a few pages so it may not be as quick a read as you might think. There is a new edition out there and they let you read the pulmonary book for free in their website. You might want to take a look at that.
Another option is to do videos. Usually these are form lasts year's live course which they make for people who like to watch them or those who don't have time to go to a live course. I went to Medstudy live last year. It is good, but I HIGHLY recommend that you read (or go through the videos) before you attend. There is a ton of information that will be condensed in those 10 days and you may feel overwhelmed. Also the review ends about two months before the test which may feel like you have to cram at the last minute in order to go through all the material one more time.
I have no experience with Cleveland Clinic review. Maybe others can comment. The ACP board review was not as high yield as I expected when I took it 2 years ago.
Get Boards Basics 3 from ACP and using together with any material you decide on (books/video/both). It complements the information and can be a great last minute review if you use it well. Do MKSAP questions for every section. Even though they may seem easier than the exam they are good practice. You can try USMLE world questoins. Some people who passed last year swear by them. And their format seems to be very close to the actual exam.
I don't think there is an easy way especially for the repeat test takers. You have to invest time energy and money, so put everything aside as much as you can. If you need to change shifts at work do it. This is the time to put yourself first at least until August. Good luck!
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agreed---everyone was saying if you just do the mksap questions, and read the answers, you'd be okay. i did that and failed 🙁
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I think it's all about how YOU learn & absorb the information for test day. For some people, doing the MKSAP Q&A's was enough with the baseline knowledge they already had. For others (like myself) supplementation to the questions is necessary. You just gotta figure out the what's best for you.
On a side note... has anyone started MKSAP 16 yet? What's up with warfarin being OK for anticoagulation in pregnancy now????!!!!!
On a side note... has anyone started MKSAP 16 yet? What's up with warfarin being OK for anticoagulation in pregnancy now????!!!!!
Your husband/Surgeon should also be supporting you in your career/professional growth NOT only you supporting him...I don't want to be judgemental but he needs to undersatnd that you are also a MD or professional person plus wife, mother, care taker etc...and money should not be an issue as this is for your professional growth and he is also making money as a surgeon...
For review, just use 1 or 2 resources for books.. You may want to see Board basic 2 or the newest edition Board basic 3 fro ACP--most testatable topics. I have the Board basic 2 in addition to MEdstudy and MKSAP 15...Happy reviewing...🙂 DONT be down. just focus and tell yourself that this is for you and for your son😉
Has anyone been using UW for boards studying? I had been using MKSAP and just recently became aware that UW had an IM Boards Q Bank. UW was money for the Step exams but hadn't heard much about it's usefulness for IM Boards (a cursory glance by myself at it indicates that it is well-written and would be fairly helpful, perhaps even better than MKSAP). Anyone have any opinions?
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I did UW for ABIM
Qs were pretty good
Don't know if it really helped but its only $100 so may as well go for it
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Hello every body.
I am done with my ABIM last year. Information in this forum helped me a lot. I am here to give back.
ABIM is the extension ofstep3 with exclusive focus only on internal medicine. Good news is questions small and some are one liner's. Passing this exam is easy of you take it seriously.
If you think you can pass this exam by reading common conditions that we see in residency like acute MI, CHF, Pneumonia _____, you will not make it.
You are expected to know rare things of common diseases and common things of rare diseases.No consultant are going to help you in the exam. You need to adjust ventilator settings, manage electrolytes, metabolic abnormalities, interpret ABG's , pulmonary functions tests, identify level of lesion in CNS, manage Multiple Sclerosis, know the types of chemo used, and so on. Bottom line is we can't pass on because it is more of specialty stuff. We are expected to know most of this stuff.
Questions on outpatient stuff are as important as inpatient. (Vaccination, preventive screening -----)
Read statistics well. (Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, NNT, Type1 and type 2 errors)
Read one book many times rather than reading many books one time. Any book (MKSAP, Med study, review courses) is enough to pass this exam. Passing score is very low. Actually I got double the passing score. All I read was a review course thrice and half of MKSAP. Try to do combines studies with your colleagues, it the best way you can remember the concepts for long. You also try to solve questions in groups.
Get the blue print from abim website about the questions distribution, Plan accordingly.
If you score in In-training is low (<30 percentile) you better start preparing for this exam now. Focus on your weak areas first. If anyone doesn't have the motivation to start it is better to go for the review course. All you have to do is sit there and listen they will tell you everything and you get to review whole internal medicine in a week. By the end of the review you will realize how low our medical knowledge is and motivation will automatically kick in with fear.
It is better to start your job in august if you not prepared for the exam. You can read entire July.
I did USMLE world questions they got really good concepts. But for me they are not high yield for exam and you can't really correlate their scores with ABIM.
ABIM is much tougher than our In-Training exams
I am done with my ABIM last year. Information in this forum helped me a lot. I am here to give back.
ABIM is the extension ofstep3 with exclusive focus only on internal medicine. Good news is questions small and some are one liner's. Passing this exam is easy of you take it seriously.
If you think you can pass this exam by reading common conditions that we see in residency like acute MI, CHF, Pneumonia _____, you will not make it.
You are expected to know rare things of common diseases and common things of rare diseases.No consultant are going to help you in the exam. You need to adjust ventilator settings, manage electrolytes, metabolic abnormalities, interpret ABG's , pulmonary functions tests, identify level of lesion in CNS, manage Multiple Sclerosis, know the types of chemo used, and so on. Bottom line is we can't pass on because it is more of specialty stuff. We are expected to know most of this stuff.
Questions on outpatient stuff are as important as inpatient. (Vaccination, preventive screening -----)
Read statistics well. (Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, NNT, Type1 and type 2 errors)
Read one book many times rather than reading many books one time. Any book (MKSAP, Med study, review courses) is enough to pass this exam. Passing score is very low. Actually I got double the passing score. All I read was a review course thrice and half of MKSAP. Try to do combines studies with your colleagues, it the best way you can remember the concepts for long. You also try to solve questions in groups.
Get the blue print from abim website about the questions distribution, Plan accordingly.
If you score in In-training is low (<30 percentile) you better start preparing for this exam now. Focus on your weak areas first. If anyone doesn't have the motivation to start it is better to go for the review course. All you have to do is sit there and listen they will tell you everything and you get to review whole internal medicine in a week. By the end of the review you will realize how low our medical knowledge is and motivation will automatically kick in with fear.
It is better to start your job in august if you not prepared for the exam. You can read entire July.
I did USMLE world questions they got really good concepts. But for me they are not high yield for exam and you can't really correlate their scores with ABIM.
ABIM is much tougher than our In-Training exams
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They have that question in MKSAP 15 too...I think it's because that patient has a mechanical valve and was therapeutic on a stable dose...because no matter what MKSAP says, it's still a category X drug for pregnancy.
Definitely do not use in the first trimester. Can use LMWH or heparin, but NO coumadin on the first trimester.
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Seriously, I hope this is one of few instances where real life medicine is so different from what MKSAP says. In both 15/16 they OK the use of warfarin in first trimester for prego mechanical mitral valvers stating risk is low as long as it's low dose..... wtf?
at the hospital I work at, if you dont maintain certification you are off the staff. and now it looks like the abim is making changes .. moc2014.abim.org .....looks like we will have to do 100 points every 5 years instead of every 10 like we do now starting in 2014. Double the work folks , they just doubled it,. it seems like the abim thinks we have all the time in the world to keep doing their stuff all the time. and now we will have to prepay or pay annually in 2014 and they will report whether we are maintaining moc requirements on their website and then the hospitals will want that too in addition to being certified and it just keeps going and going...the organizations that you are referring to may want to see if they can stop this change
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I just wanted to know what Qbook is suggested to use for the Internal Med Board Certification Exam?
HI everyone,
I am looking for a serious study partner for IM 2013, pls email me at [email protected]
Thanks
I am looking for a serious study partner for IM 2013, pls email me at [email protected]
Thanks
Definitely Medstudy has more info that is likely testable than in BB2 or BB3? As I compare system and topic wise... But of course one spend more time in Medstudy resources than BB2 or BB3... It is worth reading BB2 or BB3 or just re read MEdstudy again?🙂
Your opinion/s are welcome
Your opinion/s are welcome
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Have you considered Match.com?
You may want Harrison IM or Lange IM Q&A..
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I am in the same boat. I am scoring 65-70% on MKSAP on most of the subjects I do. I read the answers, but I do not have much time to read anything else currently besides BB3 due to the rotations in my PGY3. I will be going straight into fellowship in July. Based on how people have scored and done in the past, this good enough, or is it worth signing up for a board review course?
for all of you taking the MOC recertification test this month, good luck, its show time.
hope we all pass, we are too busy to be studying for this stupid exam.
This whole MOC process is so messed up, some people dont even have to take the exam and can call themselves certified forever and other people have to take it every 10 yrs. It all depends on what yr you got initially certified.
for people who dont have to take it, you are soooooo lucky.
The MOC exam does not have any great pass rates either i think its like 84% for first time takers but the repeaters seem to do better cause ABIM states that more than 95% pass the recert by the third attempt.
anyways good luck everyone
hope we all pass, we are too busy to be studying for this stupid exam.
This whole MOC process is so messed up, some people dont even have to take the exam and can call themselves certified forever and other people have to take it every 10 yrs. It all depends on what yr you got initially certified.
for people who dont have to take it, you are soooooo lucky.
The MOC exam does not have any great pass rates either i think its like 84% for first time takers but the repeaters seem to do better cause ABIM states that more than 95% pass the recert by the third attempt.
anyways good luck everyone
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The MOC requirements are changing... starting in 2014
An overview of the changes can be found here: http://moc2014.abim.org/whats-changing.aspx
In addition, to be "Meeting MOC Requirements":
● As you do today, you must possess a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine to participate in MOC.
● You'll need to reach a total of 100 points every five years in the correct distribution and complete an MOC activity every two years.
● You are still required to take an exam every 10 years, but, starting in 2014, you will earn 20 MOC points for your first exam attempt in each certification area.
● The points you earn can be applied to multiple certifications.
● More of the activities you already do will count toward MOC.
An overview of the changes can be found here: http://moc2014.abim.org/whats-changing.aspx
In addition, to be "Meeting MOC Requirements":
● As you do today, you must possess a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine to participate in MOC.
● You'll need to reach a total of 100 points every five years in the correct distribution and complete an MOC activity every two years.
● You are still required to take an exam every 10 years, but, starting in 2014, you will earn 20 MOC points for your first exam attempt in each certification area.
● The points you earn can be applied to multiple certifications.
● More of the activities you already do will count toward MOC.
It has been really really confusing looking for tools for ABIM MOC Exam. Got MKSAP16....question appear to be easier than expected? Board Basic III is also out- High Yield topics...everyone says it is probably one of the most effective and efficient methods to cut down to the MEAT.
Recently discovered iMedicineReview online course and iPad Apps. This is a new tool and certainly well thought out topics, brief high-yield topics with associated questions. I understand they also have 3 Day courses and have an extremely high pass rate. Many residency programs are arranging three day live courses which are not only very focused but also cost-effective. i agree, Why sit in those lecture hall for six days when you can concentrate all that is highly testable in 3 days?
I plan on doing following:
- MKSAP 16 10-15 Questions Only
- Board Basic III x 3-4 times
- iMedicine Review 1500 Question iPad App daily 15-20 questions
- consolidate all by taking a Live course
Any more ideas....am I missing anything...I got 6 months to do all that.
Thanks.
KSA2013
Taking my ABIM Recet this year. Heard a lot about having a solid Study Partners. any first hand experiences? What are Pros and Cons? What do I look for in a study Partner? Do we need an informal agreement about work-load?
okay just took the moc..no idea if i passed or not.. Ill keep my fingers crossed cause I have to pass....hard exam..you can not wing it..you have to study for it...I would like to recommend the medstudy online recertification videos..I used them and they do help...just keep watching them over and over again until it sinks in..
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@KSA2013 - I suggest taking a look at Knowmedge (www.knowmedge.com). It has over 750 questions with video explanations and the ability to print out animated slides. Most of us are audio/visual learners and it can help with memory retention.
(Full disclosure: I do have a conflict of interest - Knowmedge is a ABIM question bank startup and I am a co-founder)
Anyway, I encourage you to check it out and if you have any questions, feel free to email me directly - [email protected].
Good luck in your preparation!
Aashoo
(Full disclosure: I do have a conflict of interest - Knowmedge is a ABIM question bank startup and I am a co-founder)
Anyway, I encourage you to check it out and if you have any questions, feel free to email me directly - [email protected].
Good luck in your preparation!
Aashoo
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Would 4 weeks of full-time study be sufficient for passing the ABIM? My schedule isn't going to allow for too much down time for a couple hours a day from now until the big day.
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