Studying for written boards

[Piebaldi]

So I will be taking my boards this upcoming August. Any suggestions on what to study? It's 325 questions, so my plan is to read Cuccurullo a few times, do PM&R q bank and the 100 free questions.

Enough/not enough> Any other suggestions?

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[timisdaman]

That should be enough to pass. Also get whatever SAE-Ps you can. They are more indicative of the test than SAE-Rs (although those are also helpful).

 

[Piebaldi]

SAE-Ps? What is the P? And where can I get that from?

 

[timisdaman]

I think it stands for practitioner? Basically it's for attendings.

Some of the older ones are available for free from AJPMR, and prior to that, Archives PMR. The newer ones I think you have to pay for if you want the answers.

 

[lejeunesage]

I hated Cuccurullo. I couldn't stand to read more than 5 pages at a time. I'd read it some in residency. For boards, I just read the high yield areas for board. Usually, there would be a little book sign in the margin to indicated that it was high yield.

I spent almost all my time doing practice questions. The highest quality Qbank was the AAPMR one:

Certification Exam Prep Qbank

me.aapmr.org

I also did all the question in the Q&A book.

When I found a section I sucked like, like Peds, then I'd go do some reading, and repeat questions until I felt I wasn't so bad anymore.

There was a pmrqbankreview site that I purchased. But it was my least favorite resource.

The 100 free questions were also useful.

But, honestly, when I was taking the test, it looked nothing like any of my prep material. In fact, while I was taking it, I thought I was failing. I got home afterwards, and all I wanted to do was wrap myself in a soft blanket, hide under my bed, and cry in shame.

But I was never in danger of failing. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't panic. You've learned a lot in residency, whether you realize it or not. 90% of first time test takers pass. Good luck!

 

[Eilat87]

1. Board vitals app on phone, PM&R review
2. Lynn Weiss app on phone
3. pmrqbankreview.com review questions
4. Prior SAEs
5. pmrrc.com is another qbank

And you'll be set.

 

[Piebaldi]

1. Board vitals app on phone, PM&R review
2. Lynn Weiss app on phone
3. pmrqbankreview.com review questions
4. Prior SAEs
5. pmrrc.com is another qbank

And you'll be set.

Where to get old SAEs?

 

[Eilat87]

Where to get old SAEs?

It's one of those things your senior resident hands down to you. Or sometimes it floats around the forums.

 

[RangerBob]

I hated Cuccurullo. I couldn't stand to read more than 5 pages at a time. I'd read it some in residency. For boards, I just read the high yield areas for board. Usually, there would be a little book sign in the margin to indicated that it was high yield.

I spent almost all my time doing practice questions. The highest quality Qbank was the AAPMR one:

Certification Exam Prep Qbank

me.aapmr.org

I also did all the question in the Q&A book.

When I found a section I sucked like, like Peds, then I'd go do some reading, and repeat questions until I felt I wasn't so bad anymore.

There was a pmrqbankreview site that I purchased. But it was my least favorite resource.

The 100 free questions were also useful.

But, honestly, when I was taking the test, it looked nothing like any of my prep material. In fact, while I was taking it, I thought I was failing. I got home afterwards, and all I wanted to do was wrap myself in a soft blanket, hide under my bed, and cry in shame.

But I was never in danger of failing. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't panic. You've learned a lot in residency, whether you realize it or not. 90% of first time test takers pass. Good luck!

This is exactly what I did as well. I found Cuccurullo boring and I'd fall asleep. I did the AAPMR review bank and the Q&A book and app that Demos Publishing sold.

I also felt like crying after it.

I also passed.

I really do think Q-banks are the best prep (as long as you read why you got the answer wrong OR right) and use review books as a supplement for your weak area when you notice you're testing poorly in a specific area.

 

[Piebaldi]

This is exactly what I did as well. I found Cuccurullo boring and I'd fall asleep. I did the AAPMR review bank and the Q&A book and app that Demos Publishing sold.

I also felt like crying after it.

I also passed.

I really do think Q-banks are the best prep (as long as you read why you got the answer wrong OR right) and use review books as a supplement for your weak area when you notice you're testing poorly in a specific area.

What about Peds and Orthotics/Prosthetics? What resources for those? I think those two topics in part due to limited exposure are some of the most challenging for me.

 

[RangerBob]

What about Peds and Orthotics/Prosthetics? What resources for those? I think those two topics in part due to limited exposure are some of the most challenging for me.

Honestly those were all the resources I used. I did have great exposure to O&P and took the RIC course early in residency, and my peds exposure was decent. Still, peds was always my weakest area but I didn’t go outside the qbanks and cucurullo.

Honestly I just didn’t have the time to review everything I needed. Its easy to get caught up in having too many resources as well. Occasionally I found myself going to lecture notes or a definitive text, but it was typically more for my curiosity. I really don’t think anything beyond good qbanks and cucurullo are needed.

Pocket PM&R isn’t bad for on the go. (Nor is the qbank app)

 

[Piebaldi]

This is exactly what I did as well. I found Cuccurullo boring and I'd fall asleep. I did the AAPMR review bank and the Q&A book and app that Demos Publishing sold.

I also felt like crying after it.

I also passed.

I really do think Q-banks are the best prep (as long as you read why you got the answer wrong OR right) and use review books as a supplement for your weak area when you notice you're testing poorly in a specific area.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by the Q&A book ? which book is this? and which apps that demos publishing sells? Thanks again.

 

[RangerBob]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by the Q&A book ? which book is this? and which apps that demos publishing sells? Thanks again.

This is the newest edition of the book:

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Q&A Review, Second Edition (Book + Free App)

<p>•Note to Readers:• Publisher does not guarantee quality or access to any included digital components if book is purchased through a third-party seller.</p><p>•Now with a free mobile & web app with print purchase!•</p><p>Re

www.springerpub.com

I had the old version. Demos (part of Springer now) publishes quite a few PM&R books, including Cucurullo. You can get the Q&A book from Amazon, but I'm not sure if the app is included if you go that route.

 

[lejeunesage]

Where to get old SAEs?

PM me your email address.

 

[lejeunesage]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by the Q&A book ? which book is this? and which apps that demos publishing sells? Thanks again.

My advice is to look at 2 or 3 sources that you really like, then spend all/most of your time with those. It's easy to get a million sources and barely used them. I can't recommend the AAPMR Qbank enough.

 

[Piebaldi]

My advice is to look at 2 or 3 sources that you really like, then spend all/most of your time with those. It's easy to get a million sources and barely used them. I can't recommend the AAPMR Qbank enough.

Yeah I don't want to get a ton of resources - it becomes overwhelming and stressful - I have read close to 300 pages in Cucurrulo so I'm going to stick with that. I think I am going to buy the AAPM&R qbank as well for the questions.