Pathology Board Exam Advice and Tips

[zao275]

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I recently added a lot of material about pathology boards to the path resident wiki:

http://pathinfo.wikia.com/wiki/General_Advice_for_Pathology_Board_Exam

http://pathinfo.wikia.com/wiki/Study_Resources_/_Pathology_Board_Exam_Preparation

All of the material comes from a variety of resource. I removed any specific remembrances of course, in order to appease the ABP. I do not want to incur their wrath. If any of you have things to add, please feel free to edit the page but please don't add any specific info. Conversely, if you feel that any of the info on the wiki violates any of the ABP policies, feel free to edit the page and delete that info.

Thanks!

 

[lipomas]

Looks good, except I would not say the AP exam was easy! I thought the cytopath part was particularly challenging, and the number of gross images was quite high also.

I would second the idea of getting in at least one day early. I got in two days early, so I had the entire day before the exam to just cram and make myself feel better. This is especially good if you have kids at home when home studying is difficult.

 

[greennature]

Are you AP only?

 

[zao275]

I am only citing advice I have collected from others. I have not heard many people claim that AP or CP was easy!

I am AP/CP and I will take both exams in a few weeks.

 

[zao275]

Lipomas, do you mind if I add your comments to the wiki? I can cite this thread to give you credit if you like (or not if you would rather). What year did you take exam, if I may ask (so I know where to put it)?

 

[yaah]

I had a long post about the boards after I took it - you can link to it if you like.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=541107

 

[zao275]

Thanks so much, yaah. I have added a link to the thread to the wiki.

http://pathinfo.wikia.com/wiki/Study_Resources_/_Pathology_Board_Exam_Preparation

You seem to be one of the more level headed and experienced posters on this forum. What do you think about the material that I have posted on the wiki as general advice and tips for the boards? Do you think that any of it violates the ABP's ideas of what is proper? I know you don't speak for the ABP of course, but does any of the info appear to be inappropriate or too specific? I am not sure exactly how they judge what is ok and what is not in regards to remembrances, but I surely don't want to incur their wrath!

For that matter, have you ever heard of anyone getting in trouble for sharing info/remembrances about the boards? Just curious if there are any interesting rumors floating around out there.

 

[Gorlum]

I have not heard many people claim that AP or CP was easy!
QUOTE]
I have heard. One dude said "CP was very easy - click-click-the test is over but AP was too traumatic" - he passed both. Our last year seniors found AP "not bad at all", especially cytology (we have a strong cyto- teaching) - all passed. I'll see for myself next week - cannot wait to get over damn boards!

 

[yaah]

The only thing I would question as inappropriate is the section near the bottom of the "General Advice for Pathology Board exam" under 2003 CP where specific topics of questions are listed. That is probably a no-no. The rest of it seems sufficiently vague. But I am not a huge expert on this. Ideally you could find someone with experience on the board to advise you informally. If there is any doubt, make it more vague.

You can probably remove references to "k-type" questions from the older years because these no longer exist and the reference may just serve to confuse people.

People may also appreciate more advice on hotels, travel, eating options, things like that. Before I went I was told that the only eating option was a panera bread that had long lines and some people would be unable to get lunch in time. Turns out there is a mall with a food court across the street. There are also other hotels besides the boards hotel which may be better options for certain people. It is also good to know that the hotels are only about 10 minutes from the airport.

 

[zao275]

Fantastic. Thanks so much for your input, yaah. I will clean up those sections so that they are sufficiently vague. I will also try to add some more info about creature comforts for the exam. I plan to do some in the field testing of this in a couple of weeks (when I take the boards myself!).

 

[zao275]

Some info about hotels, travel, and food options for the board exam are now on the path wiki.

Board Exam Travel and Food Options


Also, someone posted a study plan/timeline that they successfully used to pass the boards. If any of you who have passed would like to add your study timeline or strategy, please feel free to edit the wiki and add it (or you can PM it to me or post it in this thread and I would be happy to add it for you).

Boards Study Plan/Timeline:http://pathinfo.wikia.com/wiki/General_Advice_for_Pathology_Board_Exam

 

[Gorlum]

I overhead a guy lamenting about his hemepath boards to this horrible woman Betsy boobs or whatever her name is, and she said that the last day is June 24th and the results will be released at the beginning of August.
Funny, they asked us to comment on the process of examination at the end of each part but you can type no more than 250 words. If you exceed the limit (and there is no word count), your comments won't be saved and you cannot retype 'em. I guess they are not really interested in our opinion.
Also, one q-n had two identical answers and no correct one - a proctor said something like "whatever, write it down in a booklet if you want". I guess they are not gonna count that one.

 

[HbyHA]

I overhead a guy lamenting about his hemepath boards to this horrible woman Betsy boobs or whatever her name is, and she said that the last day is June 24th and the results will be released at the beginning of August.
Funny, they asked us to comment on the process of examination at the end of each part but you can type no more than 250 words. If you exceed the limit (and there is no word count), your comments won't be saved and you cannot retype 'em. I guess they are not really interested in our opinion.
Also, one q-n had two identical answers and no correct one - a proctor said something like "whatever, write it down in a booklet if you want". I guess they are not gonna count that one.

you must have taken the test Mon-Tues. I just got back from Tampa. I think my co-residents and I have developed PTSD.

 

[Gorlum]

you must have taken the test Mon-Tues. I just got back from Tampa. I think my co-residents and I have developed PTSD.

I got out of this ****hole Tues night.

 

[zao275]

Sounds like I have a lot to look forward to when I take the exam next week. I agree that is really lame if they do not let you type more than 250 word comments. Betsy Bennett comes to the CAP Residents Forum meeting town halls fairly often and allows herself to be grilled...er,questioned, about the board exam. I will give her that; she keeps coming back to a room of residents that are not happy with the ABP or the exam. Someone should raise this issue in front of the whole group and ask her why longer comments are not allowed. Maybe I will ask her myself at the next RF meeting if she is there.

 

[Gorlum]

Betsy Bennett comes to the CAP Residents Forum meeting town halls fairly often and allows herself to be grilled...er,questioned, about the board exam. I will give her that;

For money she makes she can give a press-conference or two once in a while🙂. Nothing is changing, nothing will be changing (except for more money they'll pocket), and we all know it. I managed to put in comment after AP - "convert to virtual slides only and administer a test at any testing center in any major city like other boards do" but I can imagine her laughing at it. I was trying to type after CP that they have to announce how the exam is scored (+ develop a system if it doesn't exist) and give a numerical number with a profile to every candidate like other boards do but I went over the word limit. I had way more things to say, but it will be a two pages letter🙂.

 

[zao275]

I had way more things to say, but it will be a two pages letter🙂.

You should send it via certified mail and also send a copy to CAP, APC, etc. Make sure that people know about the issue. Maybe nobody will fix it, but publicity might stir up people to do something about the issues and create some additional accountability.

For that matter, who holds the ABP accountable? Who assures that they are doing things the right way? I understand that the federal government gives them a sort of "deemed status" to provide certification, but who regulates the way the ABP operates? I am not saying they are awful or anything (I really don't know), but I am curious as to how it all works. I have heard many people say the whole system is somewhat shrouded in mystery.

 

[KCShaw]

In general I think "shrouded in mystery" leads to disapproval, regardless of how things really are or are not being run behind the scenes. That's not to say full disclosure of every dang detail is much better. But, I think some agreeable level of transparency is pretty much required for an organization to survive in the long run these days.

As for Dr. Bennett, I've found her pretty approachable and reasonable on the rare occasion I've called ABP for anything. In fact, I think every question I've called about she ended up taking the phone to answer. But for the most part one person is not an organization, despite one person often being put forth to answer for what all the parts are doing. Ain't being "in charge" great?

 

[zao275]

As for Dr. Bennett, I've found her pretty approachable and reasonable on the rare occasion I've called ABP for anything. In fact, I think every question I've called about she ended up taking the phone to answer. But for the most part one person is not an organization, despite one person often being put forth to answer for what all the parts are doing. Ain't being "in charge" great?

I agree with you in this. Dr. Bennett has seemed candid and friendly from my interaction with her. She has always answered my questions openly and fairly, although admittedly I don't know how to verify that they are accurate answers.

But as you said, she is the face of the ABP, and bears the brunt of most dislike against the organization it seems. Perhaps transparency would help some people to feel better about their issues with the ABP?