FAQ About ABC's Plan to Prepare You for Your ABOG Written ExamClick on any question to view its answer.What should I look for in a review course?
"I liked best the intense coverage of ALL topics. Exam focus, exam preparation (mental/emotional as well)!" Oct 08 "The five days is the perfect amount of time for a review." You should do your homework carefully, as it costs the same to invest in the wrong course as it does the RIGHT course.
ABC is a BOARD review course, that although extensive, is not exhaustive nor comprehensive, and limited to covering the essentials of what you need to know for the test. Secondly, look at the TOPICS. They should be chosen entirely on their likelihood of being on your test. A simple inquiry to the course director or administrator should answer this question. If the topics are selected by the speaker, then they most likely represent only their personal or research interest. Thus it will be hit or miss as to the likelihood these topics will be on your test.
"This course is like one big support group. So glad I came!" ABC topics are based 100% on the likelihood of being on your test. We start with the highest probability topics and work backwards. We cover 90% of the topics most likely to occur on your test in just five days.Finally check out the FACULTY. A university sponsored review course tends to use primarily their faculty only. The means frequently residents, fellows, and junior faculty are assigned a topic and have minimal public speaking experience. You also should inquire as to the insight the faculty have on the exam and if their lectures are exam focused. Finally the faculty should all be practitioners. These are clinical exams and the ones who know it best are the ones who have hands on experience. A retired, non-clinical researcher or non-practitioner lecturer is of limited value.
"Well worth the $ -- down to the last penny." ABC faculty are hand-picked for their clinical expertise in their field and their award winning presentation style. They are seasoned experts who love to teach and have the inside scoop on the exam.Why should I choose ABC over the other review courses?
"ABC has lifted the surrounding shroud of mystery. I know now how to identify my strengths and weaknesses" ABC is a BOARD review course that provides a streamlined, exam-focused review by WOW faculty with the inside scoop.
Prior to this I just felt like I had to read & know everything. The specific board strategy stuff was very helpful. Now I am focused and have a plan. I would certainly recommend this course to others!" Oct 08 ABC is with you every step in your quest for board certification. If your first step is the WRITTEN board exam, you can do it--we can help. Every single lecture will point out the written exam focus and conclude with sample written questions. An optional evening session discusses exam strategy. The spring courses offer an elective extensive four hour evening session on analyzing your written exam performance. This is taught by a team of professional education specialists to assure your scores are commensurate with your knowledge.
This course far exceeded my expectations. The staff was so friendly/helpful. Dr. Das is "WOW". The lecturers were so thorough and easy to listen to. I got an excellent grasp of what to expect, how to approach review as well as an excellent review of each topic. Completely worth the cost. Oct 08 OK, if your next step is the ORAL board exam, you can do it--we can help. Every single lecturer will point out the oral exam focus. You also receive a handout of expected test questions to follow every lecture. You may select an ABC faculty to give you a private mock oral exam. If you're taking your ABOG ORAL exam, there are numerous optional evening sessions dedicated to constructing and defending your case list. If you're taking your AOBOG CLINICAL exam the schedule is highlighted with the core topics. An AOBOG certified osteopathic physician walks you through each of the ten core topics and their anticipated test questions. Course director, Dr. Krishna Das will join you and your osteopathic colleagues for a special luncheon to make sure you eat, drink, and sleep those ten core topics.
I put a stickum on my handout each time I was reminded of a particularly difficult patient management issue. My intent was to go back and review their chart. I had to laugh, because at the end of the course, my binder was a rainbow of colored stickums. Not only did I get an excellent review for my test, but I carried away loads of tips for everyday practice management. -- ES June 2009 You knew it was too good to be true. The buck doesn't stop with passing your written and oral boards. If your last step is to re-certify, you can do it--we can help. The exam focused lectures will make it crystal clear how to efficiently and almost effortlessly prepare for your written Maintenance of Certification exam. Course director, Dr. Krishna Das will sit down with you for a quick pep talk and strategy session.
I wanted to thank all of you for your help in this whole oral exam process. The workshop, the course, and the mock orals were extremely helpful to me and really made the difference in my confidence level during the test. My mock oral with Dr. Das was right on target-almost every question she asked on my gynecology case list was also asked in my exam. Thanks so much for helping me pass! I will be certain to recommend your course to others. -- EL Dec 08 Regardless of whether you are preparing for your ABOG or AOBOG exam or your written, oral, or clinical boards, you can do it--we can help. ABC is with you every step in obtaining and maintaining your board certification.I wanted to express how eternally grateful I am to Dr. Das and the rest of the ABC staff for the wonderful assistance and support that everyone unconditionally and infinitely demonstrated during my Board preparation. I will always so fondly associate you with my PASSING the General Boards...I am still elated about the news!!! -- NA Jan 09 I passed! I really appreciate all of your help. You guys really take a personal interest in your clients and you are all so friendly. That really means a lot to those of us who are so stressed out by this process. Thanks! -- NA jan 09 "The conference was awesome. I've never attended a course that was so Board-specific!" -- SR Oct 2008 "This course is like one big support group. So glad I came!" The board answers 'I do...' Is the BEST thing since sliced bread!! Nov 09
This site features videos recorded during the lectures, so you can see and hear for yourself. Click HERE to view sample videos from our lectures.
What do you mean by "WOW" faculty?
"WOW" means that their name had to have been mentioned within FIVE seconds of asking the question, "Who is the best speaker in ___?" They then undergo careful scrutiny and interrogation to make sure they are indeed the cream of the crop. Each ABC faculty must be a captivating public speaker, an award winning educator, and a clinical expert. Each faculty member is constantly updated on exam trends so they know what to emphasize in their lectures. They participate in all facets of the exam process, writing test questions, giving mock oral exams, and reviewing case lists. The ABC faculty know and practice the ins and outs of the exam. ABC faculty can help you every step. When they're done, you'll say, "WOW, why can't all faculty be like ABC's?" Biographical summaries of all ABC instructors can be found on this site. Read more about the ABC faculty here.
"Your faculty's passion for both teaching and their field was infectious and made learning fun again" -- ES June 2009 "It was so refreshing to hear lectures by clinicians for clinicians. It is amazing how much material you can cover when the lecture is not ladened with the speaker's research and ego. I appreciate your faculty sticking to the ACOG guidelines and their no-nonsense and practical review." -- EO June 2009 What did students like best about your course?
Can ABC help subspecialist fellows prepare for their general oral boards?
You bet! ABC is exactly what you need as we specialize in the general boards. Fellows especially need a BOARD review course, as just a few years of your subspecialty has dulled your recall of the off specialties, yet shifted you so far to the left/right in your specialty that you can't remember how a generalist thinks. ABC will give you a no-nonsense, just what you need to know for the test review. Course director, Dr. Krishna Das invites you to a fellows only luncheon to review exam strategy and especially alert you to the two common pitfalls that fellows can fall into. We especially encourage you to take advantage of our http://americasboardreview.com/oral_exams/case_list_review_abog_oral.shtmlcase list review and mock oral exammock oral exam service. You can do it -- we can help! ABC is with you every step.
Lunch with Dr. Das was very helpful - I see now how my strategy for the general boards should be very different than for my subspecialty boards." I just took a course this spring for REI subspecialists preparing for their general boards -- their lectures/notes/lecturers were not even comparable. Thanks! -- Sep 09 Urogynecology is an extremely intimidating topic for many of us (especially MFM!!). I cannot say enough about how much more manageable and do able you made these topics today" -- Sep 09 I am taking my ABOG written Maintenance of Certification exam. Can ABC help?
Yes we can! I know it's been a while, six years to be exact, since you've taken a written board exam. Oh by the way, it's not a written test anymore; at least its format is now taken on the computer. Additionally, effective 2008, the written recertification / Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exam (under the cognitive expertise area) is MANDATORY for ALL diplomates every six years. That's the bad news; the good news is that the MOC written exam is easier than your primary written boards. ABC will make it crystal clear what you need to study. ABC should prepare you well enough such that you really shouldn't need to do anymore, other than your PROLOGs and Compendium. Course Director, Dr. Krishna Das will sit down with you and give you the nitty gritty on what to expect on the test. You are also welcome to bone up and join the others at the optional evening session on written exam tips. ABC, with you every step.
What study materials should I bring with me to the course?
If you're preparing for your written board exam, pack light. The days are long and grueling. You will be intellectually and emotionally drained. We recommend you clear your mind at the end of the day and NOT study, so you can recharge for the next day. The hotel has a fitness center, pool, and jacuzzi, so bring your swimsuit and workout clothes. The hotel also has in-room movies for a complete step-away. If you can't walk away, or you drank way too much coffee, then bring your ACOG Compendium, PRECIS, and/or PROLOGS. Each lecture topic has accompanying test topics as well as their ACOG references, which you can check/flag with the Compendium. You might consider indexing each lecture topic in the PROLOGs to check your comprehension of each lecture. Finally you can skim through your PRECIS for each of the lecture topics to validate the lecture focus. But whatever you do, DON'T BRING any textbooks.
Will I be awarded CME for my attendance?
You will receive 40 hours of Category II CME. You may receive varied amounts of Category I depending on how many of the industry sponsored lunches or dinners that you attend. We also encourage you to submit the answers for your ACOG PROLOGS. You typically receive about 25 Category I CME credits for EACH book.
Five days is how long it takes to review 90% of the exam topics. We're not stuck into that arbitrary traditional time frame of one hour per lecture. Most topics take far less time to cover the essential exam focus, thus we can cover more topics quicker. Good thing, as courses longer than this are difficult for the student to maintain their focus and stamina. We also strategically overlap with a weekend so you only miss three days from the office/surgery.
< p class=quote>"I am very pleased with the content & speakers at this course. I appreciate that it is 5 days long & overlaps a weekend." - CC Oct 08
YES! We offer a 10% reduction in your registration fee if you meet one of the following conditions:
Hopefully, once you register for ABC's board review you will be able to attend our WOW course, but we do understand that life happens. If you must cancel, just call our toll-free number 1-877-ABC-OBGYN (877-222-6249) to arrange for your refund. Here are the guidelines we follow:
Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by Dr. Das. Will I receive a refund if I do not pass my exam?
ABC is with you every step, even if you are unsuccessful. Your success is a priority to us, and we are confident of our course's ability to optimally prepare you for your board exams. If you do not pass you may contact us to receive either a full course refund (minus $300 administrative cost) or we will waive your registration fee if you repeat our course within one year.
How do I obtain my refund if I do not pass my exam?
Your refund will be dependent on verification of the following:
What can I do if I just can't come to the course?
The DVDs are your best bet. It's the next best thing to being there. The DVDs are formatted such that the speaker's slides are on your screen and you can see the speaker in the lower corner. Their handouts are available on a CD, so you can print them out and follow along with the lecture. Audio-only is available on our CDs, so these are handy when you're driving or just wanting to soak it in. We want to emphasize that we strongly recommend you come to the course. There is so much that happens off the tape, to cinch it and tie every thing together, especially the optional evening sessions on strategy and one-on-one faculty interaction.
Should I bring my family to the course?
Not if you want to see them! The ABC schedule is grueling. The days start early and end late. You are exhausted emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Although the didactics end before dinner, most attend the optional evening sessions, as the focus shifts from content to strategy. You don't want to feel guilty for wanting to be in one place when you're at another. Leave your family at home. You will be more effective and intense to completely submerse yourself while you're here. We promise to get you home in just five days.
Why the big deal about "American owned, American based?" Aren't all review courses American based?
Sadly not. Outsourcing seems to be common place for many industries: car manufacturing, computer technical support, garment production to name a few. Now this is even true for review courses. The "A" of ABC is not a façade -- it's the real thing. Like the cruise industry, a company can register their charter wherever it is financially or promotionally to their advantage. Don't be fooled just because a review course claims to be American based, as you can get a charter in any state of the union. ABC is fiercely loyal to the red, white, and blue. After all, it is the AMERICAN boards. Each and every one of our staff resides in the good ol' USA, so you don't have to deal with foreign accents and crazy time zones to reach them. The owner, Dr. Krishna Das, has indeed an Indian name (her father is a physician from India but her mother was a Tennessee hillbilly), but she was born and raised in the U.S.A. All of her education was here in the States and she practices in Hendersonville, NC. We feel it is a tremendous privilege to sit for your American boards. ABC is honored to "practice what we preach". We ARE America's OB/GYN board review course. ABC is your board review course. ABC, with you every step. How do you protect against identity theft?
ABC is with you every step. This includes protecting your identity. If you register online, all monies are received through Paypal. They are an industry leader in fraud protection, for us and for you. If you register with us over the phone, your information is captured and transmitted immediately. We take pride in upholding high standards to safeguard your personal information and to ensure proper usage for our internal billing and marketing through only authorized individuals.
What do I do if I have a question that isn't answered here?
ABC is with you every step. Please contact us.
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References Available Upon Request America's OB/GYN Board Review Course | |||||
First of all, make sure it's a BOARD review course. This means the course is targeted specifically for those preparing for their board exam. A "review course" simply provides a review that is typically comprehensive, evidence-based, and an update on research trends. This type of review is geared usually for the established practitioner looking for a general review. This is NOT what is on your test. 
