Reflections on the Board Exam

[siednarb]

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Just wondering what people thought of the exam - I sure wich I had majored in computer sciences while i was in college - i didn't know we had to understand the internal components of a computer to be able to practice anesthesia! Overall I thought the exam tested old familiar concepts in new and detail specific annoying and frustrating ways.

 

[pmichaelmd]

Just wondering what people thought of the exam - I sure wich I had majored in computer sciences while i was in college - i didn't know we had to understand the internal components of a computer to be able to practice anesthesia! Overall I thought the exam tested old familiar concepts in new and detail specific annoying and frustrating ways.

sucked bad. First book, okay. Second book ate my lunch. I hope that is a universal feeling and the scores are judged accordingly. For Pete's sake, I'm not a nephrologist or statistics major.

Enough for now...bring on the beer!

PMMD

 

[Mman]

I'm assuming that computer question was one of the "test" questions and not part of the real exam. I mean it was easy enough because I understand how a computer works, but I guarantee that question had zero to do with anesthesia.

I also though the first book was relatively easy while the second was more difficult.

 

[Beck928]

Just wondering what people thought of the exam - I sure wich I had majored in computer sciences while i was in college - i didn't know we had to understand the internal components of a computer to be able to practice anesthesia! Overall I thought the exam tested old familiar concepts in new and detail specific annoying and frustrating ways.

No joke dude! I wanted to laugh when I saw that question!

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Second book is always the harder book. The first is for both newly graduating residents as well as attendings renewing their certification at the 10 year mark.

 

[Noyac]

Second book is always the harder book. The first is for both newly graduating residents as well as attendings renewing their certification at the 10 year mark.

So the 10 year recert is the same test as the original?

 

[2ndyear]

The second book sucked bad. If the first is for new grads and recerts, who is the second one for? Anyone have some insight into how this thing is scored, like on a curve, a specific percent right to pass, etc? Thanks

 

[pstar76]

OS or CPU?

 

[jennyboo]

OS or CPU?

I asked an actual computer scientist. He said both answers are legit!

 

[joncmarkley]

.

 

[powermd]

.

 

[Mman]

I'm assuming the computer answer was CPU because that is the part of the computer that actually does the calculations and manipulates the data. The OS merely presents the information in a particular format for viewing.


I also chose to give adenosine for SVT in the patient with WPW. There were definitely delta waves on the original ecg and that would make it a re-entrant tachycardia that could be broken by stopping conduction through the av node.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

So the 10 year recert is the same test as the original?

The 10 year recert is just the first half of the annual initial certification examination. Four hours and you're done as opposed to the residents and initial cert candidates sitting for both the first and second parts.

 

[joncmarkley]

.

 

[VolatileAgent]

careful guys (and gals).... i'm sure the ABA monitors this forum.... remember the warning about copyright infringement...... a few years ago a handful of people got busted for "discussing" the USMLE on such a forum....

and, yes, book B was brutal. 🙂

 

[joncmarkley]

.

 

[pstar76]

that the aba allows jensen to publish/sell all of those "remembered questions"? he doesn't even try to hide the fact.

 

[Precedex]

Without getting into specifics it seems the questions fall into these categories:

1: easy, basics, you should know by the end of the first month of residency (only a handful of questions, e.g. what is the mechanism of sux)

2: straightforward rotation-specific questions (essentials of ob, ICU, cardiac, pain, etc)

3: completely unstraightforward questions that you would have a tough time answering even if you did have your favorite textbook in front of you.

4: minutia you've never heard of but can probably reason through given your general fund of knowledge

5: minutia you've never heard and have no chance of reasoning through.

6: minutia from step I of the USMLE, high school chemistry, statistics, computer anatomy

7: minutia not covered in most textbooks you would only find if you did a literature search, probably written by the author of the paper in question.


That said, 1 above you know and don't need to study, 2 and 4 is your basis for reading x favorite textbook and review material. 3 relies on intuition. 5 good luck to you and your sense of the pattern of a b c and ds, 6 i hope you remember something from ap chem, 7-encourages us to read articles and not rely on faust.

 

[foshizzo]

The tests are going to get shorter...

250 questions instead of the current 350, 5 hours instead of 7, plus no more K-types. If you're taking the test for real in 2008, the test dates are either August 4, 5, or 6th (you'll be assigned one of those days). The test will be computer-based through the Pearson VUE network.

The intraining exam you take as a resident will also be 250 questions, but it will remain paper/pencil based in 2008. The questions will be almost entirely different from the real exam taken by graduating CA-3s. I imagine the MOCA will be computerized in the near future as well...

Per Dr. Sladen, expect critical care to continue to comprise a larger and larger part of the exam as time goes on....

 

[foshizzo]

It looks like the MOCA (10 year recert) exam is now computer based, i.e. it's no longer Book A of the written exam. From the ABA website....

Additional Information Regarding the Cognitive Examination

*** When can I take the Cognitive Examination?
You can appear for the Cognitive Examination as early as year 7 of the 10 year MOCA cycle. Starting in 2007, the examination will be given during a two week period in both January and August.

*** Where do I take the Cognitive Examination?
The Examination is given at Prometric testing centers all over the United States.

*** How long will the examination take?
The MOCA Cognitive Examination is a four hour computer-based examination. You will be required to complete at least 150 out of the 200 multiple choice questions. You may omit up to 50 questions without penalty.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

It looks like the MOCA (10 year recert) exam is now computer based, i.e. it's no longer Book A of the written exam. From the ABA website....

Additional Information Regarding the Cognitive Examination

*** When can I take the Cognitive Examination?
You can appear for the Cognitive Examination as early as year 7 of the 10 year MOCA cycle. Starting in 2007, the examination will be given during a two week period in both January and August.

*** Where do I take the Cognitive Examination?
The Examination is given at Prometric testing centers all over the United States.

*** How long will the examination take?
The MOCA Cognitive Examination is a four hour computer-based examination. You will be required to complete at least 150 out of the 200 multiple choice questions. You may omit up to 50 questions without penalty.

Interesting. So you young guys and girls won't have to sit next to us smelly old farts during your initial cert anymore.

 

[VolatileAgent]

that the aba allows jensen to publish/sell all of those "remembered questions"? he doesn't even try to hide the fact.

they are older, "expired" questions. plus, you can get them directly from the ABA via the SEE program. very different than sharing specific questions the day after the exam...

i'm just sharing information and a fair forewarning. do whatever you want. 🙂

In 2003 alone, seven examinees were found guilty of having posted examination content in Internet chat rooms, and this determination led to sanctions as described above. The posting of any examination content in a public forum such as the Internet may provide unfair advantage to future test takers and is therefore strictly prohibited.

http://www.usmle.org/news/2003cib.htm

 

[invitro]

Yeah, I thought the board exam(in-training for me!) was tough too. But I was surprised at how much could be answered if you had a decent base in medicine! I betcha a 3rd year IM resident who read the pharm section in baby miller, probably could answer 40-50% of the questions correctly....he/she probably would smoke the critical care section. Also...is it true... NO MORE K-Type questions.....AWESOME!!!!!! Those last few questions in each book were painful.

 

[VentdependenT]

second book was a monster

 

[lvspro]

I walked away from book 1 thinking "hey, that wasn't too bad... I must have studied ok."
I limped away from book 2 thinking "Crap, I have no idea what just happened there, I have a ton of studying/practical learning to do, and can someone please remove the size 15 Doc Maarten from my hind end."

Just to reiterate... those of you discussing Q's are walking on thin ice. Getting a disciplinary action isn't something I'd want on my record.

 

[epidural man]

Just wondering what people thought of the exam - I sure wich I had majored in computer sciences while i was in college - i didn't know we had to understand the internal components of a computer to be able to practice anesthesia! Overall I thought the exam tested old familiar concepts in new and detail specific annoying and frustrating ways.

When I saw this question, I looked at the cover of my booklet to make sure I was taking the right test - then I looked around to make sure I could still see some people I knew were anesthesiology residents, just in case I somehow was in the wrong room.

Seriously, what a weird question? By the way, I think there must be a fine line about what we can talk about - I think sharing a very detailed specific question (almost word for word) would be out of line, but since the ABA puplishes the content outline, discussing general concepts doesn't seem inappropriate - for example, if I said there was a question about calculating the dead space given a tidal volume and end tital CO2, etc - that doesn't seem wrong since going into the test, you know you will probably be tested on this. Having said this, I'd like to know where the hell in the content outline it says I have to know what the CPU does in a computer?

By way of clarification (a small point) - SEE exams are probably not a good resource for finding probable questions for exams, although ACE exams are. From the ASA "SEE program is devoted to reviewing "emerging knowledge" from scientific literature to inform you about.....These questions are not designed to test your knowledge! Instead, they are hooks to present bla bla bla....." On the ACE exam, they say "ACE, on the other hand, is focused on "accepted" knowledge....and likely to appear in examinations." ACE is essentially used to prepare anesthesiologists to prepare for MOCA.

I hate K-types. You CA-2's (now 3) are done with them. You lucky bastards. I kept thinking while I was answering these impossible questions "You ASA test writers know these are unfair because you are doing away with them next year - yet here I sit, having to suffer through them!"

I am a little mad they didn't ask about sympathetic/parasympathetic receptor biochemstry - I spent so much time memorizing that alpha-1 is phosphokinase C, Beta is cAMP, etc.

I hear the great fun, is when they send you your letter in the mail, it say's something like this "Congratulations! You now owe us ~$1500 so you can sit for the orals."

 

[epidural man]

All in all, i thought it was a fair test. I remember after CA-1, I thought, there was a lot I have never even heard of or thought about. CA-2, there was a lot less material I didn't get, and after yesterday, I felt I had heard of or read about 95% or more.

This year I studied Faust (this book needs updated, but I think helped me the most), ACE exams (there are so far 6 or 7 published). The answers are very detailed and between the 600 questions and answers, it covered most countent outline topics, plus some questions are very similar. Questions in the past have been EXACTLY the same. Finally, our institutions keywords were great. I looked at the last two years and again, this seemed to hit on almost everything the board covered. I didn't remember half the stuff for the exam, but I remember thinking while taking it "man, I wish I stared at that graph a little longer." I don't know how you guys do your keywords, but if you do it similar to us, you should really use this as a resource. I have ignored them in the past, but they really are "trying to tell you something."

 

[Skrubz]

Agree with everyone else. Morning book was reasonable, afternoon book took no prisoners and didn't pull any punches.

 

[bubalus]

All in all, i thought it was a fair test. I remember after CA-1, I thought, there was a lot I have never even heard of or thought about. CA-2, there was a lot less material I didn't get, and after yesterday, I felt I had heard of or read about 95% or more.

This year I studied Faust (this book needs updated, but I think helped me the most), ACE exams (there are so far 6 or 7 published). The answers are very detailed and between the 600 questions and answers, it covered most countent outline topics, plus some questions are very similar. Questions in the past have been EXACTLY the same. Finally, our institutions keywords were great. I looked at the last two years and again, this seemed to hit on almost everything the board covered. I didn't remember half the stuff for the exam, but I remember thinking while taking it "man, I wish I stared at that graph a little longer." I don't know how you guys do your keywords, but if you do it similar to us, you should really use this as a resource. I have ignored them in the past, but they really are "trying to tell you something."

I'm a big believer in keywords. That's what I use to guide much of my study for boards. The way I see it, when you get your list of keywords come September, the ABA is telling you what things are on the test that you didn't know. Granted, some of them are so horribly general (e.g., "respiratory physiology" or "statistical methods") that they aren't as useful. I also find the frequently missed by CA3s and frequently missed my your residency program reports very helpful.

 

[UTSouthwestern]

Agree with everyone else. Morning book was reasonable, afternoon book took no prisoners and didn't pull any punches.

You're still alive? Long time no post.

 

[Mman]

Just to reiterate... those of you discussing Q's are walking on thin ice. Getting a disciplinary action isn't something I'd want on my record.

I'm not a lawyer, but the legal requirements for proving who physically typed something posted to an anonymous internet forum are daunting to say the least. I mean even with IP addresses it can be nearly impossible to prove who was sitting in front of a computer at any given time point.

The ice isn't that thin.

 

[VolatileAgent]

I'm not a lawyer, but the legal requirements for proving who physically typed something posted to an anonymous internet forum are daunting to say the least. I mean even with IP addresses it can be nearly impossible to prove who was sitting in front of a computer at any given time point.

The ice isn't that thin.

they're not talking about suing you in court for copyright infringment. they are talking about sanctioning you from the board's tests or certification process, a privilege they retain that doesn't require legal wrangling - much different scenario. so, if you eventually want to be a member or diplomat of that board, you'd better play along because they can simply say "you can't take the test" and then you can't. ironically, you probably would have to sue them to get your chance back. in that situation, the burden of proof that you posted the information wouldn't be on them; you'd have to prove that you didn't. you dig?

so, before you post this information, ask yourself: is it worth it to put this information on the internet among a bunch of strangers when it might jeopardize my ability to get board certified?

discuss them with your colleagues around the water cooler, like everyone else does. the ice is indeed thinner than you seem to think...

 

[Mman]

they're not talking about suing you in court for copyright infringment. they are talking about sanctioning you from the board's tests or certification process, a privilege they retain that doesn't require legal wrangling - much different scenario. so, if you eventually want to be a member or diplomat of that board, you'd better play along because they can simply say "you can't take the test" and then you can't. ironically, you probably would have to sue them to get your chance back. in that situation, the burden of proof that you posted the information wouldn't be on them; you'd have to prove that you didn't. you dig?

so, before you post this information, ask yourself: is it worth it to put this information on the internet among a bunch of strangers when it might jeopardize my ability to get board certified?

discuss them with your colleagues around the water cooler, like everyone else does. the ice is indeed thinner than you seem to think...

Just curious, on an anonymous internet board signed up for with an anonymous email account posted from a publicly used computer, well, let's just say they'd have a tough time.

I'm not in the business of trying to anger the ABA, but if they don't have better things to do than I should spend more time helping them find better things to do.

 

[lvspro]

mman.
Ok, so you may have a number of safegaurds in place, but it doesn't change the fact that your gambling w/your licensure. Not something I'd do even with the best of odds, and especially for no real gain, ie answers to 1-2 questions.
So, carry on about how safe you are, and how cool it is to give the ABA something to do, I didn't mean to ruin your good time🙄.