Also posting in the FAQs
Highlights from both the CAP residents' forum and the USCAP housestaff specialty conference -
ABP Exec Vice-President Dr. Betsy Bennett:
Pre-Boards:
The Booklet of Info on abpath.org should be required reading.
You need to have your full and unrestricted state medical license before you take the exam or your results will not be released.
Timeline of training: "months" vs. "rotations" – 4 weeks/month + 4 weeks vacation = 13 months in the ABP year.
In the case of any adverse action – PD and applicant need to be on the same page (i.e. you need to clarify with your PD if a specific incident in residency really was an adverse action)
Of the 50 required autopsies, there is no limit by ABP on #s of forensics/limited/shared autopsies, i.e. "Just get 50" - the limit is purely clinical.
Application Deadlines:
Spring Exam – Jan 15
Subspecialty – May 1
Fall exam – May 1 (Aug 15 for repeaters)
Single certification – Apr/Oct 1
Fees:
$2200 AP/CP in one sitting
$1800 single sitting or retake of one failed portion
(ABP is looking at lowering the retake fee, but don't hold your breathe for it to happen this year)
Exam day:
Exam dates generally between June 1 and July 10, dates assigned in early March
ABP realizes that this is often in conflict with moves for fellowship/jobs, but for the time being this cannot be helped.
The exam day ends 4:30 - 5pm.
Preferred airport is Tampa International (3 miles, $10 taxi one way).
The Wyndham Westhore is the recommended hotel, with complimentary airport shuttle q30mins. Past examiness recommend asking for a room in the back of the hotel, since there is a 6-lane highway in front. ABP rate is $127/night.
2nd favourite was the Best Western Westshore which is less expensive.
Criticism of Exam content
ABP is aware of disparity between boards Qs and real life
5-6 people on the exam review board, serving 5-year terms
Most are academics – community pathologists are highly sought after, but not many volunteer.
Question bank: has 50k? 500k? questions
The review board gets together on a weekend to review questions – if they can find the answer on Google, it stays.
Maintenance of recertification:
10-year terms
You can start applying during 8th year, in case you need to retake.
~
Dr. Margaret Grimes, ACGME Pathology Residency Review Committee Chair is aware that there are disparities between reported performance and actual performance when it comes to residency programs.
She highly encouraged direct feedback from residents to the RRC via the ACGME-administered survey, conducted q3yrs.
She underscored the message that the ACGME did not intend to penalize programs or residents, but would much rather see them get their act together.
