Surviving The Boards

SURVIVING THE BOARDS
TEST TAKING SKILLS
M. Rosario González, MD UPR School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics

TESTS
• Part of our professional life… • Whether we like it or not • Those thatare successful:
– Study consistently – Know what to do before, during, and after the test

AGENDA
• About the test • Preparing for the test
– In general – Days before – D-Day

• During thetest
– Upon receiving the test – In general – When answering

TESTS
• Part of our professional life
– USMLE’s – Departmental exams – In Training Exams – Board
• General knowledge • Application •Problem solving

AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS
General Pediatrics Certifying Examination

• Test Committee
– Write and revise questions – Consists of pediatricians
• GP/Subspecialists •Academic/Practice

• Content Outline
– Developed by the committee – Periodically revised – Available online and upon application

AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS
General Pediatrics Certifying Examination• Test format
– Multiple choice – Based on clinical scenarios – New questions enter a “pool” – Estimates of 25% of test’s questions are new – 5-10% - graphics, X rays, EKG’s, photos, etcPREPARING FOR THE TEST
–In General –Days before –D-Day

General preparation
• Don’t cram. Prepare a study plan
– Not the month before! – Avoid retroactive inhibition

• • • •

Assess yourselfJoin a study group Get study guides Review sample questions

WEEK BEFORE THE TEST
• Keep a good attitude • Stay as relaxed and confident as possible • Program yourself
– Get everything ready and outof the way for that day – Discuss family arrangements – Talk to others about any particular concerns

DAY BEFORE THE TEST
• Get to bed early and sleep well • Eat well and appropriately • Preparefor the next day before going to bed
– Leave everything ready – wallet, pencils, ID, test card, what to wear, keys… – Set your alarm clocks

ON “D-DAY”
• • • • Start your day as you always do...