What exactly are ABSITEs?

[valedictorian]

It's sort of a stupid question. I do know that they're an exam that residents take (yearly maybe) and that are used by programs to decide how well they're doing, academically. But that's all I know. Can anyone tell me more? Who administers the absite? Where and when do you take them? Are they required and if so, for what? etc. What's the skinny on the ABSITEs? Thanks.

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[Amy]

The ABSITE is the American Board of Surgery in-training exam. It's given the last Saturday in January to every surgery resident in the country. You are scored compared to everyone else in your year (i.e. interns get a score based on how they compare to all other interns taking the test). Programs basically use it as way to monitor how we're doing academically. I believe fellowships look at the scores as well to compare applicants. It's a multiple choice exam that lasts all day (not sure exactly how many questions).

There are no stupid questions. 😉 But I'm not sure why you're referring to it in the plural... it's one exam. Maybe you're thinking of the board exams for surgery... there's a written and an oral.

 

[FliteSurgn]

If memory serves me correctly, there are roughly 220 questions on the exam and you get 4 hours to take it.

 

[valedictorian]

Thanks. 😎

 

[Amy]

If memory serves me correctly, there are roughly 220 questions on the exam and you get 4 hours to take it.

Really? I thought it was more like 9 hrs...

 

[Winged Scapula]

I can't recall the official time limit but its definitely more than 4 hrs - we usually start at 0730 and I don't think anyone has be asked to stop before 1430 or so.

 

[FliteSurgn]

I can't recall the official time limit but its definitely more than 4 hrs - we usually start at 0730 and I don't think anyone has be asked to stop before 1430 or so.

You better check because your program could get in trouble if they're letting people take longer than the allowed time. Besides, it isn't fair to the other programs that follow the rules. The official limit is 5 hours, beginning at 0800 and ending at 1300. My guess at 4 hours was pretty close, but I had to look this up to find the exact limit since I was always long gone by then (I've always been a fast test taker). Either way, that averages out to more than a minute per question.

 

[Winged Scapula]

You better check because your program could get in trouble if they're letting people take longer than the allowed time. Besides, it isn't fair to the other programs that follow the rules. The official limit is 5 hours, beginning at 0800 and ending at 1300. My guess at 4 hours was pretty close, but I had to look this up to find the exact limit since I was always long gone by then (I've always been a fast test taker). Either way, that averages out to more than a minute per question.

You're probably right - I too tend to be out of there much earlier than the deadline. In hindsight, perhaps the late finishing time is for those who start late (ie, we have several residents who are on call the night before the exam so are allowed to start late). 5 hours sounds about right.

 

[JKP]

More basic questions...
What do fellowships look for in applicants' records...
Medical school grades, board scores, absites, letters of rec...
What is the process like and would you have any subspecialty specific advice (eg. transplant, hepatobiliary?)
Thanks!

 

[JKP]

More basic questions...
What do fellowships look for in applicants' records...
Medical school grades, board scores, absites, letters of rec...
What is the process like and would you have any subspecialty specific advice (eg. transplant, hepatobiliary?)
Thanks!