How to Prepare for the Oral OB/GYN Boards
You are working towards earning your degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and you are so close to finishing. One of the last few assignments that must be performed is the oral OB/GYN board examination. Taking any kind of test can be nerve-wracking, but it is necessary to prepare as much as possible for this exam. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to help you be prepared for this very important test.
Probably the first question you may be asking yourself is when you should start preparing for your oral OB/GYN boards. Part of the answer depends on what your plans after residency are. If your post-residency training plans are in the obstetrics or gynecology, then you may be able to use cases from your last year of residency for part of your case list. The rules regarding which cases from your residency can be used are detailed in each year’s Bulletin for the Oral examination for Basic Certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology on the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology website. If you don’t plan to go into OB/GYN post-residency, then be sure and focus on the case information that you used during your residency. This is because gaining access to this information after you leave can be difficult to obtain.
A few months before your case list is due, you need to build it using some kind of software. Whether you use a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, or download the software from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (ABOG) website. Whichever method you choose, stick to that one format so there is no confusion from switching back and forth.
About 4 to 6 weeks before your list is due, have several people read them and give you honest feedback for recommendations on edits and revisions. Then pick the recommendations that seem right for you, make the changes, and them have others review your list this time. Also, consider practicing an oral exam with someone before it comes time to do the oral test. If you can’t find someone to help you with your oral exam practice, there are services that you register for online, and they will do your mock oral exam with you over the phone.
After you have submitted your list, it’s time to study! You may be asking what you need to focus on studying. Since the test is given by the ABOG, definitely study the ABOG Practice Bulletins and Committee Opinions. And since you now have your list, you know what else to study. Keep checking back to the Practice Bulletins during the months after submitting your list and just before taking the oral exam. Another great resource to consider is the Exxcelence pearls, which is available online for free.
Preparing for any examination is challenging and stressful. This is the case for preparing for the oral section of the OB/GYN test. However, with proper preparation and practice ahead of time, you should do just fine. Just don’t wait until the last minute. Get started now!