Official ABIM Exam/study tools thread!

[Ruby3]

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Anyone bomb the ITEs and still manage to pass the boards? I never studied until the last 6 months of residency and scored <10%tile in all 3 years of ITE. My test is next week and I've completed UWorld twice and MKSAP twice, averaging about 80% on my second pass of UWorld and 95% on second pass of MKSAP. First pass was something like 60% UWorld and 65% MKSAP. I've also read board basics front-to-back twice and for the next week, I'm just going through an Anki deck I've created that includes annotations from MKSAP, UWorld and boards basics. I feel like I am prepared for the test but my horrible ITEs worries me. It seems like everyone on SDN did well on ITEs and I rarely see success stories from anyone with ITE scores as low as mine.

I feel the same exact way! Don’t worry I am in the same position, did MKSAP and Uworld (but you have flash cards which I did not). but also super afraid because of my previous ITE scores

 

[aashouri]

Hi guys i am a horrible test taker so i never took ABIM and i just found out about the 7 year rule in dec of 2021 so now this is mt last and only chance to take this test.
i did awesome review once and read the notes twice already and i have done most of uworld but my average is like 45% almost done with uworld. Now my question is should I focus on the questions and redo my wrong ones the last few days or just review the awesome review books one more time? I didn’t do MKSAP do u guys think i will be ok?

 

[ortnakas]

Took the exam today, definitely a LOT more like MKSAP than UWorld- I did both. Just read the questions carefully, it’s a fair test. Good luck!

Didn’t do uworld so this is reassuring. (I’ve done MKSAP, an online program called Pass Machine, a lot of NEJM Knowledge Plus questions plus our program had us do an online board review course… so I had a lot of resources but not an extra $400)

 

[Aspyn]

Anyone bomb the ITEs and still manage to pass the boards? I never studied until the last 6 months of residency and scored <10%tile in all 3 years of ITE. My test is next week and I've completed UWorld twice and MKSAP twice, averaging about 80% on my second pass of UWorld and 95% on second pass of MKSAP. First pass was something like 60% UWorld and 65% MKSAP. I've also read board basics front-to-back twice and for the next week, I'm just going through an Anki deck I've created that includes annotations from MKSAP, UWorld and boards basics. I feel like I am prepared for the test but my horrible ITEs worries me. It seems like everyone on SDN did well on ITEs and I rarely see success stories from anyone with ITE scores as low as mine.

oh wow.. you seem super prepared.. good for you, that's some awesome dedication 🙂

I've done less than half of what you've done!

 

[Trousseau]

Anyone bomb the ITEs and still manage to pass the boards? I never studied until the last 6 months of residency and scored <10%tile in all 3 years of ITE. My test is next week and I've completed UWorld twice and MKSAP twice, averaging about 80% on my second pass of UWorld and 95% on second pass of MKSAP. First pass was something like 60% UWorld and 65% MKSAP. I've also read board basics front-to-back twice and for the next week, I'm just going through an Anki deck I've created that includes annotations from MKSAP, UWorld and boards basics. I feel like I am prepared for the test but my horrible ITEs worries me. It seems like everyone on SDN did well on ITEs and I rarely see success stories from anyone with ITE scores as low as mine.

I did bad on ITEs compared to SDNers (I was 30-35%ile). I did UWorld and Incorrects once and started doing it a second time, but I knew too many questions by memory, and got bored. Supplemented with some MKSAP and Board Basics. Did the exam, I think it went ok and I'll pass, but we'll see.

 

[darklabel]

I did bad on ITEs compared to SDNers (I was 30-35%ile). I did UWorld and Incorrects once and started doing it a second time, but I knew too many questions by memory, and got bored. Supplemented with some MKSAP and Board Basics. Did the exam, I think it went ok and I'll pass, but we'll see.

Did you think UWorld would've been just enough or do you recommend going through MKSAP?

I did MKSAP during third year and finishing UWorld. Some of the other graduates before me said UWorld was where it was at for them. I was going to review Board Basics the week before my exam.

 

[PDXJen]

Anyone bomb the ITEs and still manage to pass the boards? I never studied until the last 6 months of residency and scored <10%tile in all 3 years of ITE. My test is next week and I've completed UWorld twice and MKSAP twice, averaging about 80% on my second pass of UWorld and 95% on second pass of MKSAP. First pass was something like 60% UWorld and 65% MKSAP. I've also read board basics front-to-back twice and for the next week, I'm just going through an Anki deck I've created that includes annotations from MKSAP, UWorld and boards basics. I feel like I am prepared for the test but my horrible ITEs worries me. It seems like everyone on SDN did well on ITEs and I rarely see success stories from anyone with ITE scores as low as mine.

The instructor for Awesome Review gave anecdotes about a few of the people taking his class who had bombed their ITEs passing.

 

[EaglesAllDay]

Got my exam Tuesday, don't know why but just not as a nervous as I usually am for exams. Never been a good test taker either, but at the end of the day we got through how many exams to get to this point? It's gonna be alright Lol

 

[oncdocMD]

Got my exam Tuesday, don't know why but just not as a nervous as I usually am for exams. Never been a good test taker either, but at the end of the day we got through how many exams to get to this point? It's gonna be alright Lol

I'm the same way. Have it Tuesday too! good luck!

 

[Temper888]

So whats the consensus. Is Uworld enough? For those, who took their boards recently. Is it worth knowing uworld inside and out or going over board basics instead?

 

[darklabel]

So whats the consensus. Is Uworld enough? For those, who took their boards recently. Is it worth knowing uworld inside and out or going over board basics instead?

I would wait on what people here say, but from the grads in my program they all swore by UWorld and used it exclusively. They did MKSAP during residency but their "dedicated" was all UWorld. I think as long as you complete one it seems like you should be OK.

 

[Temper888]

I would wait on what people here say, but from the grads in my program they all swore by UWorld and used it exclusively. They did MKSAP during residency but their "dedicated" was all UWorld. I think as long as you complete one it seems like you should be OK.

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Splenda88]

Anyone doing well on MKSAP extension questions? Share your scores.

 

[kjsdf]

Anyone doing well on MKSAP extension questions? Share your scores.

Percentage correct for each set: 82, 73, 73, 75

Why do you ask? What do the extension questions matter anyway, are they supposed to be more representative of the test?

 

[kjsdf]

Hi guys i am a horrible test taker so i never took ABIM and i just found out about the 7 year rule in dec of 2021 so now this is mt last and only chance to take this test.
i did awesome review once and read the notes twice already and i have done most of uworld but my average is like 45% almost done with uworld. Now my question is should I focus on the questions and redo my wrong ones the last few days or just review the awesome review books one more time? I didn’t do MKSAP do u guys think i will be ok?

I just took it the other day, and it's a hard test. I don't know if I passed yet or not. I did mksap once in residency, then uworld towards the end of residency, and finished in 2wk dedicated, followed by uworld incorrect and another mksap pass through. I got about mid 60s for each first pass.

Sounds like some people just did uworld in years prior on here, and maybe 45% is enough. I don't know. Worst case scenario, if you need board certification for a job, is just do another year of residency somewhere, and rest the 7 year clock. (I think this is how it works based on this forum, if someone can confirm)

 

[Splenda88]

Percentage correct for each set: 82, 73, 73, 75

Why do you ask? What do the extension questions matter anyway, are they supposed to be more representative of the test?

That's what I was told. I was told > 65% average is good. You are way above average, so you are good to go.

 

[nets445]

I just took it the other day, and it's a hard test. I don't know if I passed yet or not. I did mksap once in residency, then uworld towards the end of residency, and finished in 2wk dedicated, followed by uworld incorrect and another mksap pass through. I got about mid 60s for each first pass.

Sounds like some people just did uworld in years prior on here, and maybe 45% is enough. I don't know. Worst case scenario, if you need board certification for a job, is just do another year of residency somewhere, and rest the 7 year clock. (I think this is how it works based on this forum, if someone can confirm)

Hard test as in the knowledge they're looking for is hard or the questions are all out to trick you kind of hard?

 

[kjsdf]

Hard test as in the knowledge they're looking for is hard or the questions are all out to trick you kind of hard?

It didn't feel tricky. It just felt like there wasn't as much core subject matter as I was expecting. For example, it had ID, but it had weird ID questions. You know what I mean?

 

[nets445]

It didn't feel tricky. It just felt like there wasn't as much core subject matter as I was expecting. For example, it had ID, but it had weird ID questions. You know what I mean?

Yea I understand. Did you feel like MKSAP and boardbasics covered the majority of the content though? I'm not sure where else I can study for the esoteric stuff the test might have

 

[kjsdf]

Yea I understand. Did you feel like MKSAP and boardbasics covered the majority of the content though? I'm not sure where else I can study for the esoteric stuff the test might have

I didn't even do board basics. So I can't answer to that. I only did mksap and uworld, and took notes. I felt like uworld was good for getting into the test taking mindset. I can update once I get my score.

 

[Mednomad]

Anyone take the ITE already this year?

 

[NYOrthoMD]

I didn't even do board basics. So I can't answer to that. I only did mksap and uworld, and took notes. I felt like uworld was good for getting into the test taking mindset. I can update once I get my score.

Do you feel UW was high yield and same level of difficulty? How about MKSAP? Thanks!

 

[kjsdf]

Do you feel UW was high yield and same level of difficulty? How about MKSAP? Thanks!

I think it's worth doing both. But those were my only resources. So I can't comment on review courses or other qbanks. Difficulty seemed in between the two, with mksap being the easier qbank. Question styles ranged from very short to full on uworld style questions. But it didn't seem like they were trying to trick you. And if they did I wouldn't know since abim isn't on tutor mode 😛

 

[EmCEm]

I didn't even do board basics. So I can't answer to that. I only did mksap and uworld, and took notes. I felt like uworld was good for getting into the test taking mindset. I can update once I get my score.

Congrats on being done 🙂 Sorry to bother with more questions, but my test is coming up. Nervous as usual, ha. Do you feel that the test was fair and manageable with your prep? I also did UWORLD and MKSAP, but suddenly feeling I have forgotten everything haha. Out of curiosity, what percentage correct were you getting or anyone else for that matter for either qbank? I know there are older posts about this, but I hate not having a good objective comparison.

 

[kaycee18]

anyone ever gotten to take a refresher year to reset their eligibility?

 

[Ruby3]

I keep thinking about the things I got wrong and dumb mistakes. Anyone else?? 😔

 

[Nespresso]

I keep thinking about the things I got wrong and dumb mistakes. Anyone else?? 😔

Absolutely.
Did mksap a couple of times. Real exam had a lot of what was in the nitty gritty of mksap (in the wrong answer selection choices of some questions) and in Board Basic review. Definitely did not have a lot of general knowledge on there. A lot of surgical knowledge and specialty specific material.

 

[Aspyn]

Absolutely.
Did mksap a couple of times. Real exam had a lot of what was in the nitty gritty of mksap (in the wrong answer selection choices of some questions) and in Board Basic review. Definitely did not have a lot of general knowledge on there. A lot of surgical knowledge and specialty specific material.

Did you do UWorld too?

 

[harry53]

I keep thinking about the things I got wrong and dumb mistakes. Anyone else?? 😔

I am in the same boat. I did UWorld 1.5x, awesome review but not a lot of MKSAP. I keep thinking of questions on the exam and the ones I got wrong. Wish the results would come sooner.

 

[Scorpion K]

I am in the same boat. I did UWorld 1.5x, awesome review but not a lot of MKSAP. I keep thinking of questions on the exam and the ones I got wrong. Wish the results would come sooner.

Congrats on being done.😄
Do you feel uworld covered most of what was on the test? Any last minute recs?

 

[NYOrthoMD]

I am in the same boat. I did UWorld 1.5x, awesome review but not a lot of MKSAP. I keep thinking of questions on the exam and the ones I got wrong. Wish the results would come sooner.

Did you find the awesome review notes to be sufficient enough? Thanks and congrats on being done!

 

[mylohyoid28]

Hi all! I am also struggling with the post test anxiety!! I just joined SDN during an internet deep dive/hours of googling different combinations of "so scared I failed ABIM" 😭 I have already thought of at least 15 questions I got wrong by second guessing myself and making stupid mistakes. This is in addition to multiple others marked. I have been kicking myself (mentally) since Monday. Anyway... its gonna be a fun 6-8 weeks of waiting. Is it too soon to start checking the "verify physician" page on ABIM's website? 😂

 

[mylohyoid28]

I keep thinking about the things I got wrong and dumb mistakes. Anyone else?? 😔

YES so badly 😢

 

[DrStupidIdiot]

Hi all! I am also struggling with the post test anxiety!! I just joined SDN during an internet deep dive/hours of googling different combinations of "so scared I failed ABIM" 😭 I have already thought of at least 15 questions I got wrong by second guessing myself and making stupid mistakes. This is in addition to multiple others marked. I have been kicking myself (mentally) since Monday. Anyway... its gonna be a fun 6-8 weeks of waiting. Is it too soon to start checking the "verify physician" page on ABIM's website? 😂

Yeah I made some dumb mistakes on the exam too because I thought the test was trying to trick me and overthought some questions. Ugh.

 

[Ruby3]

Hi all! I am also struggling with the post test anxiety!! I just joined SDN during an internet deep dive/hours of googling different combinations of "so scared I failed ABIM" 😭 I have already thought of at least 15 questions I got wrong by second guessing myself and making stupid mistakes. This is in addition to multiple others marked. I have been kicking myself (mentally) since Monday. Anyway... its gonna be a fun 6-8 weeks of waiting. Is it too soon to start checking the "verify physician" page on ABIM's website? 😂

15 isn’t bad. Just remember you got a lot right you aren’t remembering. But don’t worry I feel the same and it seems many others do too

 

[kjsdf]

Congrats on being done 🙂 Sorry to bother with more questions, but my test is coming up. Nervous as usual, ha. Do you feel that the test was fair and manageable with your prep? I also did UWORLD and MKSAP, but suddenly feeling I have forgotten everything haha. Out of curiosity, what percentage correct were you getting or anyone else for that matter for either qbank? I know there are older posts about this, but I hate not having a good objective comparison.

I was getting mid 60s in both qbanks on my first pass through. (IMO first pass percentage is most important for a baseline. Second passed are always better because you remember some of the questions and should have learned things by then too)

Some questions on the test felt representative of the qbanks I did, but some didn't. Until I get a score, I can't really say if what I did was fruitful. I've got post test anxiety just like the other posters.

 

[mylohyoid28]

Yeah I made some dumb mistakes on the exam too because I thought the test was trying to trick me and overthought some questions. Ugh.

Exactly! I convinced myself "there is no way they could ask a question this straight forward" and lost all my conviction. Ugh. Also love your username. Def how I am feeling now- I'm with ya.

 

[mylohyoid28]

15 isn’t bad. Just remember you got a lot right you aren’t remembering. But don’t worry I feel the same and it seems many others do too

That's nice, thanks. Ditto!
I keep reminding myself that the worst that happens is I have to take it again. I will still have a job and life will continue. Trying to put things in perspective but definitely not easy.

 

[oncology2021]

Hi all! I am also struggling with the post test anxiety!! I just joined SDN during an internet deep dive/hours of googling different combinations of "so scared I failed ABIM" 😭 I have already thought of at least 15 questions I got wrong by second guessing myself and making stupid mistakes. This is in addition to multiple others marked. I have been kicking myself (mentally) since Monday. Anyway... its gonna be a fun 6-8 weeks of waiting. Is it too soon to start checking the "verify physician" page on ABIM's website? 😂

I FEEL THE SAME. UGH

 

[harry53]

Awesome review notes were good, more detailed then needed.

 

[ortnakas]

I keep thinking about the things I got wrong and dumb mistakes. Anyone else?? 😔

Yup.

 

[NYOrthoMD]

Any last minute advice? Getting the pre-test anxiety. Sorry to those going through post test anxiety.

 

[EmCEm]

Any last minute advice? Getting the pre-test anxiety. Sorry to those going through post test anxiety.

Dealing with that pre-test anxiety as well... ugh

 

[mylohyoid28]

Sorry for those with pre test anxiety- I know it sucks. Obviously content wise I can't share, but I would say trust yourself and your training!

 

[Aspyn]

I keep trying to remember we just have to pass.. which makes it better than the step exams, where our score did matter

 

[mylohyoid28]

I keep trying to remember we just have to pass.. which makes it better than the step exams, where our score did matter

Great point! Good luck to all those taking the exam on Monday!

 

[aashouri]

Awesome review notes were good, more detailed then needed.

I have done the awesome review books three times and done uworld once is that enough? My uworld scores are low though 45-55%.

 

[darklabel]

I have done the awesome review books three times and done uworld once is that enough? My uworld scores are low though 45-55%.

As someone with similar first time pass score, we got this. Remember we just got to pass and pass rates heavily favor us passing.

 

[Splenda88]

The passing rate last year was 93% but I fee like ABIM was more forgiven because people were at the thick of the pandemic. The pandemic was not that bad for us during PGY3, so the passing rate might go back to 90% again.

 

[darklabel]

I hope not, our "dedicated" is during the delta surge and my hospitalist friends and those in some fellowships like Pulm/Crit are getting hammered right now. I guess we'll see, but given that CS was cancelled I would hope they would still be a little forgiving this time around.