June 2022 Tip of the Month

For ABOG 2022 Qualifying Written Exam Candidates

June is here!!! Where did the time go? Fortunately, the exam is not until the end of next month. We recommend you limit your studying to a review and solidify your strengths. Don’t study those topics whose questions you totally nailed or those about which you have no clue. Instead, review those subjects whose answers you narrowed down to two. Strive for 70% correct, as this will assure a pass. You must practice with written questions at the end of each study topic. Our Written Question Manuals, unlike many sources, is indeed categorized by subject so you can immediately test your acumen on a specific topic.  They are comprised of approximately 1,400 questions, plus a narrative explanation for each answer along with references. Now that you are a few weeks away from taking the test, you need to increase your stamina. A perfect way to do this is with ABC’s Q Banks for the OB/GYN. These are computer-based multiple choice questions, sold in sets of 50 mixed OB/GYN topics. Each set is $40 or purchase all 6 sets @ $215. Just as an actor wouldn’t give a performance without a dress rehearsal or an athlete warming up before the race, you also need a dress rehearsal. Our Practice Test, just like your exam, is 250 multiple choice questions, timed at 4 hours and then you’re kicked out. OK, we’re a softie, we’ll give you two shots at it.
You’re coming down the homestretch. You CAN do it. Kick in and sprint to the finish line and cross as the winner … and the prize?  Now you get to start collecting your case list!
You can do it, we can help.

Test Taking Technique:
Your exam will be held at a Pearson-Vue testing center. Call 1-888-235-7650 or go online to www.pearsonvue.com/abog to locate your testing center. We recommend you take a leisurely drive now to make sure you know where to go on July 25^th. For an inside peek, you can take an online tour of a Pearson Professional Center at www.pearsonvue.com/abog. We strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with the conduct of the exam by taking the “computer-based testing tutorial”. Just a head’s up for the day of the test.... they have a clock on the screen. There is no penalty for guessing, so answer ALL the questions. If you must wager a wild guess, then chose the SAME letter answer, as you statistically will get more correct. Finally, DON’T CHANGE your FIRST answer … never.
GOOD LUCK.

ABOG Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Candidates

1. Safety
2. Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Sciences 
3. Genetics
4. Ethics & Professionalism

For ABOG 2022 Certifying Oral Exam Candidates

The ABC faculty can provide a Comprehensive Case List Review as well, but it is a first-come-first-served basis and we get overrun beginning about mid-June. For more information on getting your case list reviewed contact Melissa Krauss at melissask@americasboardreview.com. Please keep in mind that case lists will not be accepted after July 28th for August 2nd submission. So much is riding on your case list. A well-constructed case list makes all the difference in defending it later. Take the time to do it right. For a complete step-by-step guide, order the 5^th edition of Pass Your Oral OB/GYN Board Exam by Dr. Das. For those of you who need a tutorial, we have our signature Case List Construction online course. This is great whether you attended live Case List Workshop in April or not, as you can keep replaying it until you get it right. I know you can’t see past August 2^nd, but you need to register for your review course. We suggest our September 13-18 course which is primarily designed for those taking their oral exam. This year we’ll only be offering one live course, with options to attend virtually or in person, during the fall and winter seasons. We strongly encourage you to register sooner than later especially if you plan on attending in person. The course will be held at the MAHEC Education building in Asheville, NC. We’re not just a review course, but a BOARD review course, providing an exam focused review. Don’t worry about studying at all this month. Your priority is to finish that case list.

Case List Construction Tip:
Check your list and check it twice. Don’t trust the computer on calculating the final numbers on your summary sheet. Hand tally to make sure it’s correct. Remember, for Obstetrics & Gynecology you need a minimum of 15 applied cases and exactly 30 total cases in Office Practice. For all three sections, you cannot apply more than two per category.
Chances are you’ve seen only your own case list, but we’ve seen bunches. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Let us help by streamlining the process and help you kick out a sure-pass case list with a Comprehensive Case List Review.
With you every step...

For AOBOG 2022 ORAL Exam Candidates

After many years, AOBOG changed the traditional ten core topics in 2015, but also the exam administration. Some of the core topics now are very broad so it’s critical to conduct a thorough review. Our September 14-18 Review Course is a great way to assure that you’ve covered all your bases. This year we’ll only be offering one live course, with options to attend virtually or in person, during the fall and winter seasons. We strongly encourage you to register sooner rather than later especially if you plan on attending in person. The course will be held at the MAHEC Education building in Asheville, NC. Those of you planning for the Spring 2023 exam, I hope it’s obvious that it is not to your advantage to procrastinate. Come out running by starting your review with our September 14-18 Review Course. This may be your only chance to attend one of our live courses before your exam as we won’t be offering another one until April of 2023.
You can do it, we can help.                                                                     

Test Taking Tips:
Refer to aobog.org for the topics and conduct for the oral exam. The exam is still four hours, but the candidate will rotate hourly through three stations. The three stations will use scenarios developed from the topic list along with “visual slides, ultrasounds, video clips or monitor strips to introduce the essay type scoring.” You must obtain a minimum of 75 out of 100 possible points to pass a scenario and pass 9 of the 12 scenarios to pass the exam. Our Visual Clinical Scenarios assures you know exactly what you’re walking in to.
With you every step…

Chief Residents Planning a Subspecialty Fellowship

Subspecialty fellows are permitted to select 20 patients from their Chief resident year for their off-specialty case list. In other words, GYN Oncologists, REI and Urogynecologists will need an OB list and MFMs need a GYN list. Thus, make sure to hold onto that residency log!
Refer to the ABOG Bulletin on how those 20 patients are selected. To be on the safe side, we recommend you collect at least 30, so you can strategically select the final 20 later. For those patients, keep a file of the following: for the GYN patients, collect the H&Ps, operative notes, pathology reports, and discharge summaries; for the OB patients, keep a file of the prenatal form, delivery notes, discharge summaries, and postpartum notes. Don’t worry about the office patients at all, as you may compile this only during your fellowship.
A word of caution – right now you are at your peak for general OB/GYN knowledge. Believe it or not, two years from now, your knowledge base will regress to that of an intern. Yes, it’s true - if you don’t use it, you lose it. So those cool, esoteric, bizarre, once-in-a-career cases now will be a nightmare to defend later. Your greatest allies are your junior residents. If you can’t easily defend a case, cease and subsist and “go fish” for another.
You can do it, we can help.

Test Taking Tip:
DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR CASE LOG! As you gleefully skip out the door at the end of the month, take that case log with you. Otherwise, you get to make a special trip back in two years to visit all your good friends in medical records. Don’t expect them to wave their wand and magically make your chief resident log appear out of thin air. You don’t have to frame the darn thing, just stuff it away for safe keeping for later use.

Subspecialty Fellows Planning for their 2022 ABOG General Certifying Oral Board Exam

If you are retrospectively collecting cases, go with your comfort zone. Dang, how could you have forgotten so much in such a short time? Unfortunately, it’s true - if you don’t use it, you lose it. Go with the bread-and-butter cases. Remember, this is your general boards. We recommend you chose those cases that reflect high-yield topics.  Pass Your Oral Ob/Gyn Board Exam by Dr. Das provides an excellent step-by-step guide. Speaking of which, a well-constructed case list makes all the difference in defending it later. So much is riding on your case list. Take the time to do it right. The ABC faculty can provide a Comprehensive Case List Review as well. Send whatever you have NOW, as it is a first-come-first-served basis, and we get overrun starting about mid-June. For more information on getting your case list reviewed contact Melissa Krauss at melissask@americasboardreview.com. Please keep in mind that case lists will not be accepted after July 28th for August 2nd submission. I know you can’t see past August 2^nd, but you need to register for your review course. The subspecialists love our course because it’s a no-nonsense, stream-lined, exam-focused review. This year we’ll only be offering one live course, with options to attend virtually or in person, during the fall and winter seasons. We strongly encourage you to register sooner rather than later to our September 13-18 Review Course, especially if you plan on attending in person. The course will be held at the MAHEC Education building in Asheville, NC. Cannot attend our live September course?  The next best option is our Home Study Package which includes lecture content, strategy videos and mock orals.
You can do it, we can help.

Case List Construction Tip:
If you have not already done so, absolutely prioritize entering your off-specialty and office list. These will require more thought since they are out of your comfort zone. Don’t go nuts on your specialty case list – remember you’re sitting for your general boards. Also, don’t think your specialty will be obvious and somehow cut you some slack. The examiners receive only their section. So, for example, if you’re a GYN ONC, your OB examiners receive only your OB case list, so your list won’t be flashing neon lights announcing that you’re an oncologist. Assume nothing and prepare for everything.

For AOBOG 2023 Written Exam Candidates

The exam is almost a year away. What’s the hurry? Time to kick back and soak in the summer rays, right? Right, if you’ve consistently scored > 200 on your CREOG in-service-training exam. However, to avoid slipping into the clutches of lazy days of summer, keep the saw sharp by doing at least one question a day.
If at any time during your residency you scored < 200 on your CREOG in-service-training exam or you failed your board exam, you need to take some time off to recharge your batteries. However, you need to start strategizing on a study plan. Wouldn’t it make the most sense to cover those high yield exam topics? Our course syllabus covers 90% of exam topics. If you attend the September 14-18 Review Course, you will walk away with the priceless list. Additionally, schedule a private consult to help you identify error patterns and how to fix them! Our September Prep Course is perfectly timed to review high yield topics and get the benefits of the test taking methodology.

Test Taking Technique:
The only resource to predict your performance on your board exam is the CREOG in-service-training exam. Dig out your past scores. If your standardized scores were > 200, especially during your chief year, you have an excellent chance of passing your board exam ASSUMING that you continue to progress your learning at the same pace that you have these last several years. If your score was < 200, you must devise a plan to improve both your content and test-taking skills. So to put it quite bluntly, you must approach your CREOG in-service-training exam like it’s your board exam. What’s that old adage? “Trick me once, shame on you, trick me twice, shame on me.”
You can do it…. we can help

AOBOG Osteopathic Continuous Certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology (OCC)

The recertification exam has been replaced with the (ARC) aka Advanced Real-time Certification.  The good news is that it is an online assessment system giving you the opportunity to fulfill your OCC Component 3 requirements. Each year you are to complete 24 assessments.  Go to the AOBOG website for additional details.

ABC Tip:
Consider coming to one of our 5-day review courses.  This is not the same type of review course as in the past.  Just as you evolve and practice evidence-based medicine, our course is designed for the adult learner and all lectures follow the national ACOG guidelines. Even better, you’ll walk away with Category I AMA™ CME hours and with loads of clinical pearls, too.

CREOG In-service training exam participants

Well, the exam is not for another seven months. If you scored > 200, regardless of your PGY year, then you’re in pretty good shape. It’s going to get hectic with the end of the residency year coming up and everyone preparing to move up in rank.
If you scored < 200, that means you’re below the mean. Although CREOG will not reveal statistics, we have found that your performance level, regardless of your year, will continue. In other words, you PGY3s cannot use the excuse of being post call or on the Oncology service as the reason for poor performance. You need to be proactive to improve your score during your chief year. If you have scored < 200, or worse yet < 190, all three years, you need to take corrective measures to improve your test-taking skills. To simply study more is probably not the solution. Our Test Taking Skills Online Course will teach you the test-taking methodology, provide CQRPE questions and strategy videos by Dr. Das. Just give us a call. The only predictor of your performance is your CREOG score. Therefore, you must take it very seriously. Our September 14-18 Review Course is the perfect tool to prepare your assault and nail the exam in 2023. We’ll be offering both an in person (Asheville NC) and virtual option this year. Please keep in mind that this will be the only review course offered towards the end of this year. If you’re interested in attending in person, it would behoove you to register sooner rather than later as our slots are limited.

You can do it, we can help.

Test Taking Tips:
Don’t discard your CREOG in-service training exam performance report! You now know your strong and weak topics. Come up with a plan to fill in those weak topics. Don’t let these upcoming months of opportunity slip away.
With you every step…