Orals boards

[Eyepiece]

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Was the oral board this past weekend a hard test? I'm not looking to disclose questions asked, just commenting about the exam.

There was a hotel strike. Protesters banging and making noises such that last minute review/studying was hard. Napping impossible for some rooms.

The test questions were hard. If someone cried or killed themselves, I wouldn't be that surprised. It's the closest thing to waterboarding without using water.

I may be toast when the results are back in a few weeks. My career is on the line while some nurse practitioners (some of whom call themselves "doctor") can easily become joke board certified and are thus considered more qualified than us.

 

[DrMassacre]

Was the oral board this past weekend a hard test? I'm not looking to disclose questions asked, just commenting about the exam.

There was a hotel strike. Protesters banging and making noises such that last minute review/studying was hard. Napping impossible for some rooms.

The test questions were hard. If someone cried or killed themselves, I wouldn't be that surprised. It's the closest thing to waterboarding without using water.

I may be toast when the results are back in a few weeks. My career is on the line while some nurse practitioners (some of whom call themselves "doctor") can easily become joke board certified and are thus considered more qualified than us.

yup. was tough AF. I think ill be taking it again in June.

 

[alsonamedbort]

Yeah, it sucked massively. I had one examiner who kept badgering and interrupting me, really destroyed my train of thought and I wouldn't be surprised if I failed that room. If that's enough to keep me from passing... very frustrating.

 

[airplanes]

The protesting wasn't ideal, but would you preferred they cancelled and rescheduled the exam last minute? Difficult choice either way.

 

[hello lady!]

Was the oral board this past weekend a hard test? I'm not looking to disclose questions asked, just commenting about the exam.

There was a hotel strike. Protesters banging and making noises such that last minute review/studying was hard. Napping impossible for some rooms.

The test questions were hard. If someone cried or killed themselves, I wouldn't be that surprised. It's the closest thing to waterboarding without using water.

I may be toast when the results are back in a few weeks. My career is on the line while some nurse practitioners (some of whom call themselves "doctor") can easily become joke board certified and are thus considered more qualified than us.

First of all, congratulations. Take a deep breath. You're super stressed, understandably, as you are here in your career after years and years of putting everything out there (MCAT, Steps, OKAPs and all!) and here you are at the final hurdle. Even though you feel worthless right now - being at a job and killing yourself professionally while patients and referring doctors question you solely based on your age, all the while enjoying your late nights studying (repeat, repeat repeat); it's an impressive feat that you're here and that you completed the orals.

It always feels worse coming out of the exam than it really is. It's designed that way - the questions are difficult for everyone and what's considering passing is relative. Just relax and wait for the results to come. Try not to focus and become angry at things you have no control over. Truth be told, your last-minute studying won't really do that much for your test - your last 4 years of clinical every-day doings will. I certainly wouldn't use this to fuel hatred towards other professions. Even if you do fail, it's not the end of the world or even your career. You're still qualified to take care of patients - you will just need to take the orals again.

There are wonderful ophtho's out there - some passed orals first try, some second try, while some required even more takes. I can't tell the difference between them, either.

Enjoy this month! Do fun things to distract you.

 

[Eyepiece]

Canadian "boards" have a first time pass rate of about 99% but Canadians are not lazy in studying. The US ABO is just tough for no reason.

 

[TheLesPaul]

Canadian "boards" have a first time pass rate of about 99% but Canadians are not lazy in studying. The US ABO is just tough for no reason.

I don't understand what the purpose of a board examination is when we've satisfactorily completed an ACGME-accredited residency. Your performance as a resident should be the basis of certification, not this game of make-believe. Particularly when the so-called "evaluation" process at the oral boards is opaque in every way.

 

[Dusn]

The fact that older ophthalmologists are grandfathered into their board certification and don't need to do anything or take any test to maintain their board certification exposes the American Board of Ophthalmology and the ABMS as the money making scams that they are.
I actually don't mind taking tests and believe ALL doctors (young and old) should be able to take and pass them. But the ridiculous amount of money we have to pay them every year and the tedious MOC and chart review crap really ticks me off.

 

[Slide]

I failed the first time and passed the second time. Here's my experience and some tips:
Oral board prep and latest exam

You get five chances now to retake the boards - not as bad as before (it was three). The pass rate dipped considerably in the past few years but has gone up recently. I agree with the need for the oral exams in principle, but disagree in how it is carried out. You can still pass it with the resources out there if you can pass the writtens.

The main thing is figure out what messed you up the first go around, address honestly, and then fix it. Take the test seriously and dedicate at least 2-3 months to it in earnest. Don't fall into the machismo trap of just winging it and figuring it out as you go along as some other test takers say they have.

 

[Eyeballed]

Well I took the oral in October and just found out that I failed. It has taken me a few days but I have finally realized that I am down but not out. I re-registered for the June exam to give it another shot. Is there anyone out there that would like to be study partners?

Not trying to hijack anyone's post, just trying to stay positive.

 

[increscence]

Slide - to tack onto your comment, I believe that the cost to take the oral boards went up when the # chances went up to 5. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong - but if I'm right, goodness.