When to take the boards

[earthworm]

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right now i'm planning to take the pathology boards in june, however, i'm fearing that i may not have the time to study for both exams. i was wondering, if i decide to take one in june and one in october, which one would be good to take when? i was thinking AP in june and CP in october would be good. i should be done by 6 every day during my fellowship. will june to october be enough time to study for CP if i only have the evenings and weekends to study?

 

[yaah]

Only you know if you will have enough time. There is way too much information to be familiar with everything, so you could always use "more time to study." But as to how much time is enough that varies with everyone. I didn't really start studying in earnest until 5-6 months beforehand, and not intensely until 2-3 months beforehand. But everyone is different in how they study and retain material.

Personally I do not recommend splitting them up. It is more expensive, for one. If you fail part of it you can retake the part you failed at the next test date. I would also highly recommend carefully reviewing the booklet of information they have at abpath.org, because there are new rules regarding not being able to get certified in just AP or CP if you are trying to ultimately certify in both.

I would also recommend taking vacation time or elective time to study.

 

[Pathoresident]

Here is my input, based on my individual experience, others may disagree..

I recommend taking both AP/CP for the following reasons:

- A significant portion of knowledge overlap between the two, namely hematopathology which shares the AP in lymph node pathology, molecular pathology, infectious diseases (in AP and microbiology), immunohistochemistry, immunopathology and certain techniques in cancer diagnostics.

- Take them both, if you fail one part, it will be easier to re-take that failed part only..at least after being familiar with the exam mode and questions style..increasing your chance of passing on the 2nd time...this might be better if you split them and take each one for the first time..

- Scheduling problems if you split...let's say you will appear for AP in June and then CP in Oct......What happens if you fail the AP? this will ruin your self esteem and preparatio for the CP in Oct..and you will not be able to re-schedule your CP.


Time for preparation:

-Varies considerably between people...depending on your experience in your residency and your background..

- Roughly speaking, I can estimate six months for Ap/CP..2 months for AP and the rest for the CP. You may need more..
The problem in this exam is not the amount of knowledge you will cram but how you approach the exam. You should familiarize urself with the high yield topics that appear in the exams..Going through previous RISE materials, and some good remembrances is essential and may increase your preparation time. Practicing on exam questions is also important.

 

[listeriaismfb]

IMHO, The best time is now.

I say this because you're never going to know more about whatever your AP or CP bane is than you do TODAY. Unless you're using the stuff every day it decays in spite of your best efforts at preparation.

I was going to postpone my exam but didn't (thankfully) on the advice of an attending I work with.

Just do it.

 

[CytoMD]

I have just started practice,
passed AP, couldn't make CP yet, although tried couple times !
I will try one more time in coming June....
I believe this is my last time (I was eligible in 2006 - 3 years)........
I am afraid that I might fail ....if that becomes true,
Am I done with the CP for ever ?
What is the current policy: I have to pass within 3 yrs or 5 yrs ?

Please someone comment on this, Thanks

 

[yaah]

It says on the abpath.org website - I don't know the specifics. It is either a certain time limit or a certain number of times you are allowed to take it. I think if you do not pass it in the alloted time, you have to do some partial CP retraining in order to regain your eligibility.

 

[listeriaismfb]

I have just started practice,
passed AP, couldn't make CP yet, although tried couple times !
I will try one more time in coming June....
I believe this is my last time (I was eligible in 2006 - 3 years)........
I am afraid that I might fail ....if that becomes true,
Am I done with the CP for ever ?
What is the current policy: I have to pass within 3 yrs or 5 yrs ?

Please someone comment on this, Thanks

See below - cut & paste directly from ABP's website.... it looks like you'll need to prove that you've gotten more experience in CP before they'll let you sit again
Unsuccessful Candidates

For candidates who complete residency and/or fellowship training prior to January 1, 2008, the following policy will apply.

▪ Once the initial period of primary or subspecialty qualification has terminated, candidates who have been unsuccessful in any of the certification examinations may apply for one additional period of qualification based on satisfactory experience in the field(s) of pathology in question. This will be granted on submission of appropriate and acceptable documentation of 2 years of full-time experience in the area(s) in which the candidate was unsuccessful

 

[yaah]

I wonder whether "more experience" means more residency training. I suspect it does. I suppose some private group could hire you and let you do CP uncertified for a couple of years, but I don't know if that would count...