Official ABIM 2013 Thread

[Whitney]

FWIW I passed . I took 2 weeks and did MKSAP (about 80% ). Tried to do about one subject a day. Did not use anything else.

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[Tastebuds]

I passed. This was my second attempt. For those who passed..congrats! For those who didn't I know how you feel. I will post more info later after getting my score report.
For now:
1. USMLE world questions are a true representation of the exam in my opinion. I did mksap, medstudy and usmle questions this time around. I remember a few questions right off usmle world.
2. Please please get a study partner...me and 2 others studied together and this helped tremendously!
3. Awesome board review is really great! Take the course a couple of months before the exam. Also go through the material once before going to the course as he goes really fast and it's overwhelming if you have not gone through the material a little
4. Board basics is the best book! I went over that book 4-5 times.. Highlighting, underlining and circling to the point that my book started falling apart

These are my suggestions. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding studying or just need moral support! You can do this!

 

[yobabydoc]

Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 89


I have taken exam three times and failed three times. Each time I had tremendous stress in my life and all kinds of family issues. These have changed! Thank God but I am so afraid that I didn't take he exam this year. My standardized scores have remained about the same 341, 348 and 341 for 2010, 2011& 2012 respectively. I don't even really know how many questions that equates to in terms of me getting a passing score. The passing score is 370. I need to start studying. It I have been so disappointed with myself.

I have MKSAP 15, Medstudy, BB2. Some Medstudy videos, I also have some audio lectures I just acquired, they are Medstudy. I'm going to devise my study plan. I know I can do this, just bummed! Time to get over it and conquer this beast.

 

[melcast]

I passed this year. I know first-hand how awful it is not to get through first time (I did not pass last year) and so anybody who needs some encouraging words can PM me.

I will post my strategy when I have the score report so I can confidently say (without misleading anyone) what worked for each section of the test but, in brief:

This year:
- Gave the test the respect it deserves, and ignored the ABIM conspiracy theorists. Accept that the ABIM test is assessing 'something'. I don't think studying any harder would have made a difference after this year's test which seemed to have a lot of off-the-wall, picky questions. I still don't completely agree with how they do this, but that's the game we are playing.
- Studied a little from November to July to cover everything and then spent the last month just doing questions: Medstudy (80% average), Harrison's Qbank (79% average), USMLEWORLD (80% complete, average 60% which was 78th percentile if anyone cares).
- Focused on the areas I got killed on last year (ID, GI).
- Used multiple sources to study: Medstudy CDs, Medstudy books, my own audio notes, FIRST AID IM Boards, iMedicine Review.
- Took the exam carefully and slowly (finishing right on time for each section).
- Took time to exercise, and to get my life back in order.

Last year:
- Did not respect the exam and arrogantly assumed that since I was such a strong medicine resident in one of the top programs in the U.S., I could 'wing it'. Obviously, I couldn't.
- Assumed that 3-4 weeks was enough study time.
- Assumed that MKSAP questions alone were sufficient, and that doing only questions (even though scoring well) is enough to study.
- Raced through the exam, finishing each section about 30 minutes ahead of time. People: this is where the ABIM strips points off you....I caught MANY question stems second time around with very subtle twists that changed the clinical interpretation altogether.

Congrats again to those that passed and, for those that did not, hang your head high and give yourself time to grieve. No sense starting to study for a few months until you've absorbed this blow and have a good strategy.

Parting words: MKSAP is not enough. Acing the general medicine section is not enough. Like the MCAT and the USMLE, you need to know it ALL....forwards and backwards.

Thanks for sharing your experience, unfortunately I found today that I didn't pass, so I felt so identify with what you wrote before. I’m feeling depressed and mediocre.
I'll put in practice your study strategy; hopefully it will work for me too. This was the first time I took the boards, and It wasn't a pleasant experience since I got lost, ( thanks to my GPS) and got almost 35min late to the test
I just have to make room to study between my fellowship and 15 months old baby

 

[scuba2]

Passed. First try, allopathic grad at an academic-affiliated community residency.

What I did over approximately 10 weeks:
Awesome Review (went to all six days in May) - easily 50% of my study material right there. Reviewed the Awesome Notes twice before the exam.
USMLEWorld - harder than the actual test, completed 100% of the questions - probably averaged 65-70% by the time I was done studying
MKSAP 15 - questions only, averaged 70-75% by the end
Board Basics 3 - read one week before the exam, high yield. Probably the equivalent of Crush Step 3 as I felt you should know everything in the book cover-to-cover.

Stick to a few resources that you know well, know your high-yield testable topics such as rheum and general IM, and get a good night's rest before! I also agree with the sentiment that if you did well on the inservice at least once, you should be able to do well on the ABIM.

 

[mdsh00]

Passed on my second try. To those of you who failed this first time I completely understand how you feel. I will post more of my strategy but it was basically medstudy+mksap 16 questions+medstudy q bank+ awesome review (review class).

Ultimately the biggest difference is that I took the test very seriously and made it my priority for almost a whole year.

Anyone who failed and needs some advice or a listening ear feel free to PM me.

 

[asxroma]

Passed as well!!!! thank goodness had failed before. Will post strategy once I get the report. Thanks to everyone in the forum for the support!

 

[phillygirl45]

I just found out I have failed for the third time. Now can't take it til 2015! I feel so deflated.

 

[pishicat]

Passed. First try, allopathic grad at an academic-affiliated community residency.

What I did over approximately 10 weeks:
Awesome Review (went to all six days in May) - easily 50% of my study material right there. Reviewed the Awesome Notes twice before the exam.
USMLEWorld - harder than the actual test, completed 100% of the questions - probably averaged 65-70% by the time I was done studying
MKSAP 15 - questions only, averaged 70-75% by the end
Board Basics 3 - read one week before the exam, high yield. Probably the equivalent of Crush Step 3 as I felt you should know everything in the book cover-to-cover.

Stick to a few resources that you know well, know your high-yield testable topics such as rheum and general IM, and get a good night's rest before! I also agree with the sentiment that if you did well on the inservice at least once, you should be able to do well on the ABIM.

Congrats .!!
No time for Awesome review Live classes. What do you think about the Online version?

 

[Dr Kelso]

Passed!!! This was my second attempt
.
For those who didn't passed I really know what you are going though today. I am a silent reader of this forum and have been reading it almost daily for the past year since I found I didnt passed in 2012. First week I was in denial and feeling bad about myself. Then I found out that this is not end of the world and I continue with my plans (fellowship, job search, marriage and honeymoon). Of course during the whole year I regret that I didn't passed because things would be easier. But I managed to complete all the goals that I propose at the beginning of the year. For those who think that you can't find a job on your sub specialty if you are not board certified in Internal Medicine...that is not true. Once you finish residency you are board eligible for IM and once you finish your fellowship you are automatically board eligible for your sub specialty. All you need is to pass the board exam within 5 yrs that you finish your residency or fellowship. And there are plenty of jobs out there for board eligible/board certified.

So...how do you pass this exam?
First is dedication, you need to create your own schedule and follow it. In my case I knew I was getting married at the beginning of the year so I started studying after the wedding. At the begining it was a light study and then increased in intensity. I dont recommended to isolated yourself, but is important to be a little selfish and put this important exam on top of some other things in life.
Second, you need to get the best material that is out there. First time I took awesome review course and read the books one more time plus MKSAP x 2. This time I read MKSAP 15 books x 1, did MKSAP 15 x 2, read awesome review x 3 (memorizing important details), I did USMLEworld x 2 (I think that this is the best Qbank) and read BoardBasics 1-2 times.
Third, I think is very important to find a study partner. I had one for the last 2 weeks prior the exam and helped on keeping the ideas fresh in my mind for the exam.
Finally you need to trust in yourself and make sure you give all you can. The first time I knew I didn't prepared for this exam the best way possible. I started my fellowship right away and didn't have time off to study. This year I took 2 weeks vacation prior to the test and was studying at least 8-10 hrs daily for 4 weeks. The feeling I had when I got out the exam room this year was completely different as the one I felt last year. I knew I did better this year and I tried my best.
Once I receive the score I will post my study plan and both scores.
Good luck to all.

I am in the same boat you were in last year. I did MKSAP 16 and was averaging 70% on the questions and took awesome board review and reviewed the notes. I studied for about a month and a half before the exam.

I thought the test was pretty hard and just found out I failed. Thoroughly annoyed but I'll live.

I'm not a great test take so I'll obviously need to start studying soon.

You're recommendations are USMLE world and Board basics? What about those questions/material gave you an edge? Any other recommendations? Med Study?

 

[sukara]

So, for those of you that didn't know, the 3rd attempt fail means you have to skip a year is a new thing that the ABIM started in the past few years. I have been taking the exam since 2008 and next year would have had to have been my skip year. I stumbled across this forum last year after failing while I was looking for something that could help me pass. I was inspired by so many other people's stories of how they passed and how they felt the exact same way that I did. If you've failed the exam once multiply that by 5 to feel what I felt. But, I wanted to let everyone know that it can be done.

Though everyone tells you that it's no big deal if you don't pass, in the real world, most people think that it is a big deal, like the people that want to hire you. So, you secretly sit insecurely hoping no one will know. You can't get support from any of your medical friends because they've all passed. I know that the boards don't say anything about how strong I am clinically- I went to a top medical school, good residency training, chief residency, and I even finished fellowship during this whole process and was not able to sit for my specialty boards. Couldn't get a job in my specialty because people were saying that I wasn't board-eligible since I couldn't technically sit for the exam. I have all the same excuses that everyone else has- constant employment, work commitments, two pregnancies all while continuously training. I've also got a huge problem taking standardized tests. I do great on my evals but never on the tests.

So, I know what everyone's thinking- so, how did I do it?
First, I found out from this forum that the questions are weighted. If you get a ton of rheumatology right, it does not mean it will balance out all of the cardiology you got wrong. Cardiology and General Internal Medicine are worth more. Someone quoted on the forum that you have to get at least 70% of cardiology right to pass no matter what. I'm not sure if these facts are right, but I used them to help guide my studying.

First, I realized that I don't do well going away from my family and going to a review course, so I got the MedStudy DVDs. I watched all of the DVDs and took notes like I was in class. I setup a schedule for myself that started a month or so after my baby was born- yup, I had a baby right after the exam last year. My first assumption was that I knew nothing. I should go over all of the facts even if I think I know them to reinforce that I really do. I started with cardiology and then internal medicine and I just kept going through the DVDs in the order that Internal Medicine blueprint said they were weighted. WHen I finished the DVD I would read that section in Board Basics (once again adding to my notes). I would then start my MKSAP 16 questions on the topic. I would go through all of the questions and add any notes about facts that I got wrong. THen I would move to the next topic. But when I moved to the next topic, I would still review all of the notes for the previous topics. My husband would drill me on my notes as often as he could (2-3 hours per week). After a month or two, I would restart doing the MKSAP questions but the second (and third and fourth) time around, I would think about why I got the question wrong- did I misunderstand? did I not know the fact? what did the question want me to know- diagnosis/treatment/contraindications of a drug? This helped me to break down the whole process. This was all that I did. I started in November but really picked it all up in Feb. Every day, at least 1-2 hours. I couldn't afford more time, so I stretched it. I did Board basics and MKSAP on the app versions on my phone when I was out (in line at the grocery store, waiting to pick up my kids, eating lunch).

I had the pressure of knowing that next year I couldn't study for the exam, that I really wanted to move on with my life, so I stopped listening to everyone else about what to do and sat back and thought about how I had gotten this far in life. How do I study well? How did I pass the steps? Stop listening to other people's advice about the inside scoop on how to pass. This method worked for me because I needed drilling and help with the questions. I went to a learning specialist to help me figure out why multiple choice questions were so hard for me, and she figured out that I process things more quickly than I should- I should slow myself down. So, on the real exam, that's what I did. I would take notes on questions to slow myself down. I reread every question and answer before I submitted them to make sure that I wasn't glossing over an important detail.

For those of you that didn't pass, hang in there. Perseverance, a plan, and a partner will make the world of difference. You can do this. For those of you that did pass. Congratulations.

 

[umich123]

hi, first time test taker, was doing very well on inservice exam and failed...pretty shocked and disappointed. thought i did well when i got out of the exam.

please suggest a best review course/books out there? can people suggest their study plan who passed.

i did board basics and mksap questions.. probably was not enough in 2 weeks while working full time

thanks

 

[Motivated1115]

Dear Sukura. I recently finished my fellowship and have an awesome job now but just found out I failed for the 3rd time. Were you working at all while studying for your board or can't sit in for the ABIM board? Do you know if we have to be board certified to work if the contract just say board eligible/board certified? By the way, how did you find a learning specialist? Thank you so much for all your advice! God bless!

 

[IMDoc607]

I am in the same boat you were in last year. I did MKSAP 16 and was averaging 70% on the questions and took awesome board review and reviewed the notes. I studied for about a month and a half before the exam.

I thought the test was pretty hard and just found out I failed. Thoroughly annoyed but I'll live.

I'm not a great test take so I'll obviously need to start studying soon.

You're recommendations are USMLE world and Board basics? What about those questions/material gave you an edge? Any other recommendations? Med Study?

Honestly, this is not a test you can study for in a month and a half. Start reading medstudy in December and try to read each twice and then attend awesome review.

 

[Tastebuds]

Honestly, this is not a test you can study for in a month and a half. Start reading medstudy in December and try to read each twice and then attend awesome review.

I agree...You need to study for several months to pass this exam. You need to know the info inside out.

 

[scuba2]

Congrats .!!
No time for Awesome review Live classes. What do you think about the Online version?

Awesome Review online courses would be adequate if you can't make the live ones.

 

[EndoRocks]

I am in the same boat you were in last year. I did MKSAP 16 and was averaging 70% on the questions and took awesome board review and reviewed the notes. I studied for about a month and a half before the exam.

I thought the test was pretty hard and just found out I failed. Thoroughly annoyed but I'll live.

I'm not a great test take so I'll obviously need to start studying soon.

You're recommendations are USMLE world and Board basics? What about those questions/material gave you an edge? Any other recommendations? Med Study?

I started studying on January, first reading through the MKSAP 15 material which is very dense and I personally think is a waste of time (took me approx 2 months). After I finished MKSAP books I started watching the MedStudy videos x 1 (1 month on this) and I went through BB2 the first time. Then I took a break for a month because of my wedding and restarted on May doing MKSAP 15 Qbank. Because I did that questions last year, this time my average was on the mid 70s-80s. As soon I finished this I started UW Qbank. This was really difficult questions but I learned a lot from this questions. At the end my average was 57%. With this Qbank I wrote down all the wrong question I reviewed them the last 2 weeks prior to the exam. I also repeat just the wrong questions. I finished this Qbank the first week of August. At the same time I took the Awesone Review books and start studying from heart the entire book and memorizing all the important facts. This took me approx 1 month. The week prior to exam I just reviewed my notes from UW and BB2.

Also after reading the 2012 forum, I found out that people were passing with approx 70% of correct questions. Based on this I calculated that I failed the test by 8-10 questions and tried to study more on my weak areas. Hope this helps you. Good Luck!

 

[Farmtown]

Passed on initial certification. Very average student/resident here. My ITE scores were horrible!!! (but I didn't really study for them though) 50%tile during intern year, 18%tile in my second year and 37%tile in my third year. My PD had a talk with me after I got that 18%tile and pretty much warned me that I will fail the boards if I don't study seriously and he wanted me to study for the boards as early as my second year. Of course, I didn't LOL. I started studying seriously for the boards towards the end of June until two days before my exam- so roughly 8 weeks. I took time off and didn't have to work. I read all the Medstudy books (15th ed.) once. I did all of the MKSAP 16 questions once and scored an average of 65% the first time. I only repeated the questions I got wrong. I studied by subject- I read Medstudy first to understand concepts, then I did MKSAP questions on the same subject after reading Medstudy. I think maybe 8-10 days before my exam I read the BB3 once and just repeated the questions that I got wrong on MKSAP. Had 2 hours of sleep on the exam day itself because I was just really scared and nervous. It's possible to pass the exam without having to study multiple sources or even repeatedly reading the review books. I did not attend any review course or have a study partner. I just studied on my own. I think what made me pass was just really trying to understand the questions in MKSAP (and obviously a lot of luck and prayers helped). The MKSAP questions definitely helped me how to analyze and answer the real exam questions. I did not do UW but one of the guys who took the exam with me swore by it. I thought the exam was tough and I ended up always having to pick between 2 really good answers. I came out feeling like crap and thought I failed. Congratulations to all who passed, talk to you guys again in 10 years LOL.

 

[Goodgirl123]

Well, I really want to believe this but for the life of me, thinking rationally, I don't see how it can be so. I recall the first time I failed, I got the score report. Aside from cards which I did very well on for some reason though I thought I would not, every other subject was in the 1st or 2nd decile for me, including the one in which I am in fellowship for. This would suggest that there is not a small group of subjects I am weak at but that there is an issue with overall test taking or test preparation. I don't get nervous over the test and have no trouble with structured studying. Time is not an issue and I finished all blocks both times with about 3-5 minutes to spare on each block. There are no crazy outside issues like substance abuse or family issues. I set my schedule up in fellowship such that I would have virtually unlimited time to study for 3 months prior to the test; in addition, I started studying 3 months prior to that in earnest. There just seems to be no way out here.

I will say for me I did not respect the exam. Once I realized that this exam was like no other I changed my studying. I also did a total of 3 different review courses over the years. I did Kaplan, the guy in seacacus New Jersey (unique review I think) and med study. I also the first time did basically no question to the 4th time doing at least 1000 2-3x. Before I only made sure I got the answer right and last time I made sure I knew why the other answers were wrong. I never had a study partner because all my friends were either other specialties or passed the first time and I didn't see this website until last year. I read all of last year's post and tried to develop a plan. I knew this year I had to pass because of work. I worried the whole year and it is such a burden. But I will tell you this, hospitalist is an option, outpatient medicine s an option, the V A system is an option, locums tenens is an option all without being board certified. The real problem is when you pass the 7 year mark and are no longer board eligible. You are not there, I was. There are options. I was working full time hospitalist. I will say that I did not tell anyone I was taking boards many people assume u already took it or are certified. So the only people that knew were my husband and my mom because I needed help to make study time. No one else knew and that took a lot of pressure off of me. So don't tell anyone unless you have to. Now you will be able to find a job. Sit back and think what has worked in the past. If you need study partners then wait for the 2014 abim thread and people will be on there and u can Skype n study. Set up a schedule and start as early as possible because life happens and if you don't feel like studying one week because of work or what ever no big deal. If you do poorly on questions do questions. The medstudy review instructor said it is better to do 1000 questions 3x than to do 3000 questions 1x which worked for me because I did the latter on a previous attempt and didn't work. So I will post my specific strategy when I get my scores. But when the scores come out just look through all the post and put a plan together that sounds like something you could do. And then just start. Be realistic also. If you inbox me or message me or whatever they do here I can email you a beginning study guideline from my review course. It started in january and gave me topics to do every 2 weeks until the course and had a built in review of prior subjects so that I could go over everything at least 3 x before the course in may. I would be glad to forward these to you.

 

[pishicat]

Awesome Review online courses would be adequate if you can't make the live ones.

Thanks, I was mistaken. There are no Live courses offered for Awesome review online...another member corrected me on that.
There is somebody selling their awesome review books on Amazon, but not sure if it is worth buying...from what everyone says, you have to attend the actual course.

Any suggestions for other Online live lectures ..I just can't get away for the 3 full weekends required to fly to New Jersey to take the awesome review course.

 

[Dr Kelso]

Thanks for your input. Still trying to iron out my strategy.

You mentioned you passed on your 2nd attempt.

What was lacking your 1st time around?

The Awesome board review led me to believe that MKSAP questions and reviewing the Awesome board review notes was enough (obviously not enough for me).

From the forum I'm finding the following for strategy:

MKSAP/BB3 --> Build knowledge base (but start soon, i.e January..)
Awesome review lecture in June to fill gaps
MKSAP questions reinforce knowledge base, USMLE questions to help with test strategy since they are challenging

Sound like a good strategy? I'm a little hesitant to throw in Medstudy because the above material seems like at least 6 months of work..

 

[Dr Kelso]

I agree...You need to study for several months to pass this exam. You need to know the info inside out.

Thanks for your input. Still trying to iron out my strategy.

You mentioned you passed on your 2nd attempt.

What was lacking your 1st time around?

The Awesome board review led me to believe that MKSAP questions and reviewing the Awesome board review notes was enough (obviously not enough for me).

From the forum I'm finding the following for strategy:

MKSAP/BB3 --> Build knowledge base (but start soon, i.e January..)
Awesome review lecture in June to fill gaps
MKSAP questions reinforce knowledge base, USMLE questions to help with test strategy since they are challenging

Sound like a good strategy? I'm a little hesitant to throw in Medstudy because the above material seems like at least 6 months of work..

 

[Dr Kelso]

Honestly, this is not a test you can study for in a month and a half. Start reading medstudy in December and try to read each twice and then attend awesome review.

Any other reccomendations? I hear BB3? is good for review?

Did you prefer MedStudy over MKSAP?

 

[Simba2013]

Dear Sukura. I recently finished my fellowship and have an awesome job now but just found out I failed for the 3rd time. Were you working at all while studying for your board or can't sit in for the ABIM board? Do you know if we have to be board certified to work if the contract just say board eligible/board certified? By the way, how did you find a learning specialist? Thank you so much for all your advice! God bless!

As a personal experience, you do need the ABIM certification in order to have privileges as an specialist in pretty much most hospitals.
I just finished fellowship and due to family emergencies and then a busy fellowship I was not able to take the boards until now. It was a big mistake, I have a great job but I have been so concern in passing this test, in order for me to have full privileges and be able to practice as an specialist.

You need to be board certified in IM in order to be "elegible" in your sub speciality and most jobs are requesting either BC or BE....I learn this the hard way....

Thank God I passed !!
I will put my study strategies when I get the results.

Good luck!

 

[sukara]

I was in-training through June 2012. I put out some feelers through some trusted people and what they were saying was that it really depends on the job. Each job will have their own opinion on what Internal Medicine certification means to them when you are a specialist. Personally, I didn't want to go through it, especially because I had family issues going anyway (like the baby) so I decided to get through the exam in 2013 and then figure out the whole job thing.

Learning specialist- I looked up places in my area that did testing for children with learning disabilities. I called them and told them that I was an adult looking for either testing or advice on test taking (this does exist). If the place doesn't cater to adults (which most do) they should be able to give you some local place who should. I didn't actually do formal testing but the person that I met with gave me a lot of good advice. Hope this helps. Hang in there. You need a plan. Slow and steady is the way to get this exam done. You can do this.

Dear Sukura. I recently finished my fellowship and have an awesome job now but just found out I failed for the 3rd time. Were you working at all while studying for your board or can't sit in for the ABIM board? Do you know if we have to be board certified to work if the contract just say board eligible/board certified? By the way, how did you find a learning specialist? Thank you so much for all your advice! God bless!

 

[Dr Kelso]

I started studying on January, first reading through the MKSAP 15 material which is very dense and I personally think is a waste of time (took me approx 2 months). After I finished MKSAP books I started watching the MedStudy videos x 1 (1 month on this) and I went through BB2 the first time. Then I took a break for a month because of my wedding and restarted on May doing MKSAP 15 Qbank. Because I did that questions last year, this time my average was on the mid 70s-80s. As soon I finished this I started UW Qbank. This was really difficult questions but I learned a lot from this questions. At the end my average was 57%. With this Qbank I wrote down all the wrong question I reviewed them the last 2 weeks prior to the exam. I also repeat just the wrong questions. I finished this Qbank the first week of August. At the same time I took the Awesone Review books and start studying from heart the entire book and memorizing all the important facts. This took me approx 1 month. The week prior to exam I just reviewed my notes from UW and BB2.

Also after reading the 2012 forum, I found out that people were passing with approx 70% of correct questions. Based on this I calculated that I failed the test by 8-10 questions and tried to study more on my weak areas. Hope this helps you. Good Luck!

Seems to line up with what everyone is saying

It seems like I was lacking in terms on not doing USMLE world/BB3 and MedStudy

quite a bit of additional work. I can see how this would take a year!

Thanks for your input

 

[ABIM2013]

The real problem is when you pass the 7 year mark and are no longer board eligible.

Are you absolutely certain about this 7-year provision? I remember a poster last year who was decades into his IM practice and who passed last year having never gained initial ABIM certification years ago. The reason I recall this post is that the poster wanted to pass the exam to honor his daughter's hard work in preparing for the MCAT at the same time.

 

[Tastebuds]

Does anyone know what this new maintenance of certification enrollment is? Is this another exam we have to take? I feel like abim keeps adding requirements to get certified!

 

[Goodgirl123]

Are you absolutely certain about this 7-year provision? I remember a poster last year who was decades into his IM practice and who passed last year having never gained initial ABIM certification years ago. The reason I recall this post is that the poster wanted to pass the exam to honor his daughter's hard work in preparing for the MCAT at the same time.

I read that on the ABIM website. he is the actual cut and paste from the website. It started in 2012 and afterwards so the person you were talking about has to pass by 2019. Let me know if I read this wrong.

"As of July 2012, the American Board of Internal Medicine considers all residents and subspecialty fellows who have successfully completed the training for initial certification in general internal medicine or any of its subspecialties to be "Board Eligible" in the relevant specialty for a period of 7 years. The 7-year period of Board Eligibility shall begin upon the candidate's successful completion of training or July 1, 2012, whichever is later. During the period of Board Eligibility, the candidate may apply for the certifying examination in the relevant specialty. If the candidate does not become Board Certified during the 7-year period of Board Eligibility, the candidate will no longer be deemed "Board Eligible" and may no longer represent himself or herself as "Board Eligible."

A candidate who is no longer Board Eligible may nevertheless apply for a certifying examination, but only if the candidate has: (i) completed a year of retraining in the relevant specialty after the expiry of the candidate's period of Board Eligibility, but no more than 7 years before the application; and (ii) met all other requirements for Board Certification in effect at that time. Retraining will require the successful completion of one year of additional residency/fellowship training in an ACGME-accredited US training program or an RCPSC-accredited Canadian training program and an attestation from the program that the candidate has demonstrated the requisite competency for unsupervised practice"

 

[Goodgirl123]

Are you absolutely certain about this 7-year provision? I remember a poster last year who was decades into his IM practice and who passed last year having never gained initial ABIM certification years ago. The reason I recall this post is that the poster wanted to pass the exam to honor his daughter's hard work in preparing for the MCAT at the same time.

I read that on the ABIM website. he is the actual cut and paste from the website. It started in 2012 and afterwards so the person you were talking about has to pass by 2019. Let me know if I read this wrong.

"As of July 2012, the American Board of Internal Medicine considers all residents and subspecialty fellows who have successfully completed the training for initial certification in general internal medicine or any of its subspecialties to be “Board Eligible” in the relevant specialty for a period of 7 years. The 7-year period of Board Eligibility shall begin upon the candidate's successful completion of training or July 1, 2012, whichever is later. During the period of Board Eligibility, the candidate may apply for the certifying examination in the relevant specialty. If the candidate does not become Board Certified during the 7-year period of Board Eligibility, the candidate will no longer be deemed “Board Eligible” and may no longer represent himself or herself as “Board Eligible.”

A candidate who is no longer Board Eligible may nevertheless apply for a certifying examination, but only if the candidate has: (i) completed a year of retraining in the relevant specialty after the expiry of the candidate's period of Board Eligibility, but no more than 7 years before the application; and (ii) met all other requirements for Board Certification in effect at that time. Retraining will require the successful completion of one year of additional residency/fellowship training in an ACGME-accredited US training program or an RCPSC-accredited Canadian training program and an attestation from the program that the candidate has demonstrated the requisite competency for unsupervised practice"

 

[aom1]

So I have never posted on here before but started coming to this forum after taking the abim in aug and found the forum informative. I found out that I passed on monday for which I am very grateful. I had a few friends who did not make it last year and more who did not make it this year so just wanted to share my experience.
I actually started studying late, after attending the awesome board review in June. I was able to get through mksap 15 and 16 questions (the question banks for the two are completely different with almost no question repeated so gives you a bigger variety to practice), which I would highly recommend. While the questions are not exactly representative of the board, they are a great way to practice and test your knowledge base. I was personally not able to do the Uworld as I started a grueling fellowship in july and just did not have the time but after having talked to people, I would highly recommend it as people who did use it found it very helpful while taking the exam.
Awesome board review was decent but would have been much more helpful had I reviewed the material prior to attending because without having had reviewed the material, it was a bit overwheling at the speed at which he goes.
On a side note, I did take my step 3 almost exactly a year before the boards and had studied hardcore for that (listened to 60hr audio lectures subject wise that a friend had givent to me) which, while not being very helpful for step 3, turned out to be very helpful for the boards. There was basically nothing that was covered in the awesome board review that was not on those lectures and thus my notes i had made for step 3.
In short, while I cant recommend any specific texts since I didnt have time to use any, please try to get through at least the mksap questions and the Uworld prior to taking the exam. The friends who did not pass last year did pass this year which is absolutely great so hang in there for those who didnt this year. I can imagine how it might feel to not get the result we all want after putting in all the time and effort, but dont give up. It certainly is doable and wish you all the best in your futures.

 

[Mateodaspy]

Passed on my first try. I did all the MKSAP 16 questions once, started 3 weeks before the exam.

Anyone know when full results typically arrive in the mail?

 

[Dr Kelso]

Based on the Forum content I think this will be my strategy once I'm finished grieving


1) Start MedStudy books/DVD December/January

2) Start phasing in Basic Board 3 maybe May time frame (There seems to be a consensus this is really good.."HIGH YIELD")

3) Board review course in June

4) MKSAP-16 questions & USMLE world questions from June-August (I here the ABIM more resembles USMLE world right?)

5) BB3 in August along with questions..

Is this a good strategy ?

 

[Faiza123]

Sukara, how did it effect your job. Did you continue to work, I am in same boat, failed second time, had to pass next year as that will be my consecutive third year. I graduated in 2011 and already having problem with credentialing at hospitals for not being board certified. I am tired of being judged by others and want to concentrate on my studies. If I take a year off how will that effect my job in future. Please need help and advice.

Thanks.

 

[stillpremed]

Anyone want to be my skype partner? PM me!

 

[phillygirl45]

Hi sukara!
I applaud you on your preservance, because right now, I have no idea of how to even attack this, again. Mentally, I just feel so down. Any suggestions on how to get back on track?

 

[Dr Kelso]

I passed. This was my second attempt. For those who passed..congrats! For those who didn't I know how you feel. I will post more info later after getting my score report.
For now:
1. USMLE world questions are a true representation of the exam in my opinion. I did mksap, medstudy and usmle questions this time around. I remember a few questions right off usmle world.
2. Please please get a study partner...me and 2 others studied together and this helped tremendously!
3. Awesome board review is really great! Take the course a couple of months before the exam. Also go through the material once before going to the course as he goes really fast and it's overwhelming if you have not gone through the material a little
4. Board basics is the best book! I went over that book 4-5 times.. Highlighting, underlining and circling to the point that my book started falling apart

These are my suggestions. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding studying or just need moral support! You can do this!

Congrats on passing.. I need to take another swing at this test for next year :-(

What are thoughts on this strategy?

1) Basic Board Review 3 --> January - May (over whelming consensus this book is great)
2) Review Awesome board review notes --> May
3) Awesome Review 1st week of June
3) MKSAP-16 questions (for knowledge) USMLE world (for test prep) --> June - August
4) Revisit BB3/Questions -- > August

Also, thoughts on Medstudy Video/Questions? Should I be doing this January - June?

High level thoughts are MKSAP-16 2x / Awesome Review notes weren't enough last time so I need to add more material but I don't want to have too many sources..

 

[Dr Kelso]

I started studying on January, first reading through the MKSAP 15 material which is very dense and I personally think is a waste of time (took me approx 2 months). After I finished MKSAP books I started watching the MedStudy videos x 1 (1 month on this) and I went through BB2 the first time. Then I took a break for a month because of my wedding and restarted on May doing MKSAP 15 Qbank. Because I did that questions last year, this time my average was on the mid 70s-80s. As soon I finished this I started UW Qbank. This was really difficult questions but I learned a lot from this questions. At the end my average was 57%. With this Qbank I wrote down all the wrong question I reviewed them the last 2 weeks prior to the exam. I also repeat just the wrong questions. I finished this Qbank the first week of August. At the same time I took the Awesone Review books and start studying from heart the entire book and memorizing all the important facts. This took me approx 1 month. The week prior to exam I just reviewed my notes from UW and BB2.

Also after reading the 2012 forum, I found out that people were passing with approx 70% of correct questions. Based on this I calculated that I failed the test by 8-10 questions and tried to study more on my weak areas. Hope this helps you. Good Luck!

Thanks for your input!

You mentioned reading MKSAP was a waste of time? What about reading BB3? That seems to be a very popular text.. I'm leaning towards the following:

1) BB3 January - May / USMLE Questions
2) May Awesome Review notes
3) June Awesome Review Class
3) June - August BB3 review, MKSAP / USMLE questions

I know there's another material out there Medstudy, Harrison etc.. but I'm a little hesitant to add too many sources, may get confusing

Thoughts ?

 

[EndoRocks]

Thanks for your input!

You mentioned reading MKSAP was a waste of time? What about reading BB3? That seems to be a very popular text.. I'm leaning towards the following:

1) BB3 January - May / USMLE Questions
2) May Awesome Review notes
3) June Awesome Review Class
3) June - August BB3 review, MKSAP / USMLE questions

I know there's another material out there Medstudy, Harrison etc.. but I'm a little hesitant to add too many sources, may get confusing

Thoughts ?

I recommend the following

1- MedStudy DVDs (Jan-March) with MKSAP questions (1st round)
2- BB3 x2 (April-May) and 2nd round of MKSAP questions
3- Awesome review syllabus (if you have the books you dont need to go back to the live lectures) --> June and July with USMLE World x 2
4- August, read your notes and BB3

 

[sukara]

I was fortunate because I was in training for fellowship through 2012. I was pregnant for the 2nd time and didn't want to deal with the guilt of leaving my baby again and wanted to try to focus on the exam since it was so difficult for me. So, I did take off time. On my resume it works because I just had a baby. In terms of credentialing and such, most jobs that I have seen for hospitalists say that you have 1-2 years to board certify after which they can terminate you.

I don't know how your job future will be affected but if you're having a tough time finding a job now it's only going to get worse. A lot of private practice jobs don't necessarily ask for IM certification.

I would say put a plan together and make next year happen. Start early, get a partner from this site who will be as equally motivated as you since they failed at least once, and go forward. Make it part of your life but not your whole life. The exam is not the end all be all of life. It may seem like it but life moves on regardless so don't forget to have fun with your family and friends because it lets your brain de-stress from studying. Good luck!

Sukara, how did it effect your job. Did you continue to work, I am in same boat, failed second time, had to pass next year as that will be my consecutive third year. I graduated in 2011 and already having problem with credentialing at hospitals for not being board certified. I am tired of being judged by others and want to concentrate on my studies. If I take a year off how will that effect my job in future. Please need help and advice.

Thanks.

 

[sukara]

I would say give yourself some time to breathe and grieve. You can't attack this right now when it's fresh. In a few weeks, after you get your score report and feel bad all over, then come up with a plan. Think about how you study well. You couldn't have gotten this far on luck, so think back to med school and steps. What worked and what didn't? Now make a plan that goes along with what works. DON'T CRAM! You need to start in Nov/Dec and slowly make you're way forward. You'll be using your longterm memory instead of your short-term memory. I kept telling myself that because everyone else crammed it would work for me. It didn't. Do MKSAP a billion times and you'll pass, said someone. Do Medstudy, you'll pass, said someone. Do Awesome review, you'll pass, said someone. I did all of these and didn't. You can't swear by one method. You have to figure out what works for you and get a partner who can help keep you motivated and on track. Good luck!

Hi sukara!
I applaud you on your preservance, because right now, I have no idea of how to even attack this, again. Mentally, I just feel so down. Any suggestions on how to get back on track?

 

[Azriel2]

So, I too failed the exam, and I am looking for a study partner for ABIM exam 2014. I am willing to use Skype, though I would also love to meet in person if possible. Does anyone have any ideas where to find such a partner?

 

[surge55]

I know this is a dumb question, but do they only offer the exam once a year? I'd think they'd offer re-cert's more often...it doesn't seem like it though.

 

[gutonc]

I know this is a dumb question, but do they only offer the exam once a year? I'd think they'd offer re-cert's more often...it doesn't seem like it though.

Nope, once a year. But it's a pretty broad date range.

 

[Dr Kelso]

I recommend the following

1- MedStudy DVDs (Jan-March) with MKSAP questions (1st round)
2- BB3 x2 (April-May) and 2nd round of MKSAP questions
3- Awesome review syllabus (if you have the books you dont need to go back to the live lectures) --> June and July with USMLE World x 2
4- August, read your notes and BB3

This seems to line up with most of the forum. Thanks for the input!

 

[KSA2013]

Hi anyone who got their report in the mail please post what the PASS RATE for this year was? If we can have both the Initial Cert and MOC pass rates that will be great. You will find that on your REPORT. It states how many people took the exam and what percent passed. Thank you.

 

[KSA2013]

Hi Sukura, can you please let us know what percentage of exam takers passed this session?

 

[DoctorDr]

One year ago, I was on the position of those who did not pass this exam. As I looked back on the things that made me NOT pass and worked on it. These were the things I made during this journey on passing this board exam;


1. RESPECT the test--- Same to the other forum members who took this test and passed... One needs to take time and prioritize this exam. Give the attention and time needed to prepare.
2. Get the appropriate test materials-- I did used MEDStudy books and cards, First Aid for boards, BB2. If im bored already with reading, i have used PASS machine videos. The Medstudy cards I used it when at work most of the time. For questions, MKSAP 15 & MEDStudy.
For the last 2-3 weeks BB2, old one but there is BB3 (Board Basic 3) now.
3. Pray hard...Exercise...have time with my family Hope everyone have a very supportive wife or any close relatives.

Awaiting for ABIM score report and let's see how did I improved..

So after passing this ABIM certfication..WHAT'S NEXT?

 

[Tastebuds]

Thanks for your input. Still trying to iron out my strategy.

You mentioned you passed on your 2nd attempt.

What was lacking your 1st time around?

The Awesome board review led me to believe that MKSAP questions and reviewing the Awesome board review notes was enough (obviously not enough for me).

From the forum I'm finding the following for strategy:

MKSAP/BB3 --> Build knowledge base (but start soon, i.e January..)
Awesome review lecture in June to fill gaps
MKSAP questions reinforce knowledge base, USMLE questions to help with test strategy since they are challenging

Sound like a good strategy? I'm a little hesitant to throw in Medstudy because the above material seems like at least 6 months of work..

The first time around..I spread myself too thin. I read all of mksap and made notes on it. I know what has worked for me in the past: pick 1 book and know it inside and out and do multiple Q banks. I didn't do that last year. I did however this year and I passed!
Also, me and friends went over everything together multiple times out loud so it would stick. That's the first thing he says at awesome review..study with a friend! If you don't have friends, u need to start making some lol
If you failed the exam, I suggest start studying before January..but that's just my opinion.
Good luck!

 

[mdsh00]

Nobody has received score reports yet. They should be out in about one to two months.