August 2021 Tip of the Month

For ABOG 2021 Certifying (ORAL) Exam Candidates

It is time to research your review course options and register. Obviously, we are a bit biased, as we feel we have the ideal course; however, you should look for the following features. We recommend a BOARD review course, not just a review course, for an exam focused review. You also want a faculty that lectures in accordance with the latest ACOG recommendations and not on their boring research or the latest, yet unproven, fads. The faculty needs to be particularly knowledgeable in the oral exam process and content and also provide Mock Oral Exams and Case List Reviews. Our courses are on September 14-19 and November 16-21.

To complement the content covered at the review course we have added the Oral Exam Workshop that is devoted to the strategies of taking an oral exam. The earlier you take the workshop, the better, as your studying will take far more time than you budgeted; so, it is better to identify as early as possible the topics you need to prioritize.
Half of your test is defending your case list. Send your case list NOW to your local/regional consultants or colleagues for recommendations in DEFENDING your case list:           

                        
Make sure you give them a strict deadline. Since the clock is ticking, now is the time to schedule a time to sit down and review their recommendations. The ABC faculty can review your case list one-on-one at either of the fall courses, or we can provide a Comprehensive Case List Review. We are the only course in the country to offer dialogue with the reviewer so you can ask questions, clarify cases, etc.
Spend the second week in August drafting a study plan. Remember, this is not set in stone, but it’s imperative to know what you’re up against. 

For ABOG 2022 Certifying (ORAL) Exam Candidates

The results for the written boards will come out on September 15, 2021. If you choose the fast track, you can sit right away for your oral exam. However, remember the collections started JULY 1, as in last month.
You cannot apply for the 2022 oral exam until February 2022. However, if you wait this long to enter cases, you’re already EIGHT months behind – BIG MISTAKE! Call or e-mail ABOG now to get your case list software.
Don’t fret about details of how to enter the data because you’ll change your mind at least a half dozen times. For all GYN patients, start a habit of collecting H&Ps, operative notes, pathology reports and discharge summaries. For all OB patients, keep a file of the prenatal forms, delivery notes, discharge summaries, and postpartum notes. Don’t worry about the office patients yet. Take a stab at entering the data online, and just use your common sense.
Rest assured, we will have a Case List Construction Workshop as a part of our April 2022 review course. Trust me - it’s overwhelming to attend one sooner. It’s like trying to teach advanced shoulder dystocia maneuvers before you’ve even delivered a baby. For those who are OCD, order your copy of Pass Your Oral Ob/Gyn Board Exam by Dr. Das for a complete step-by-step guide. Start today to create a good habit of collecting and entering cases.

Strategy Tip:
Should you get in the fast lane and go for the accelerated track or sit back and relax a year? If you just started your subspecialty fellowship or if your practice will be limited (e.g. GYN only or laborist), jump on the fast track. You will be shocked at how quickly you will forget your off specialty. Besides, the fast track isn't really warped speed, since your exam is not until the fall of 2022.
On the other hand, if you just started a general OB/GYN practice, sit back and take a well-deserved break. Not only do you need some time to adjust to being out on your own, but this experience will catapult you leaps and bounds ahead in your clinical acumen. It’s similar to that exponential learning curve in going from a medical student to an intern. This newfound experience will help enormously when you sit for your exam two years later.
You can do it … we can help

Subspecialty Fellows Sitting for their 2021 ABOG General Certifying (Oral) Board Exam

So that’s where they get the expression, “If you don’t use it, you lose it”. Our review course is IDEAL for Fellows, as we tell you just what you need to know; then you can joyfully repress it again after your test. Even if your exam is not until January, there is a LOT to relearn - OK, for some of you to learn. We strongly recommend you come to our September 14-19 course to gather all the material you will need for 90% of your test.
We’re most sincere when we say, “You can do it … we can help”.
We can help -- a LOT.

Study Tip:
Raise your right hand and repeat after me, “I solemnly swear I will NOT study my subspecialty topics until last. You don’t even need to study them at all. But if you insist, review it from a generalist’s perspective. After all, you are taking your general oral exam.
… with you every step

For AOBOG 2021 ORAL Exam Candidates

For ABOG Qualifying (Written) and AOBOG 2022 WRITTEN Exam Candidates

The exam is a year away. If this is your first time to take the exam and you have historically performed average or better on your CREOG in-service-training exam, you can enjoy the summer. For most of you, it’s a hectic time anyway, with everyone moving up in rank.
Applications for the ABOG exam are available online September 2021.  Don’t shoot the messenger, but in case you need to budget, the $1500 application and examination fee will be due by mid-October.
Applications for the AOBOG Spring exam are not available until November 30, 2021. Better yet, the $1175 application and examination fee is not due until April 15, 2022, just before your exam.
If this will be your second attempt, spend August doing some soul searching. WHY did you fail? If this was your first attempt and you have a reasonable excuse, such as you simply did not study, or had a significant distraction, such as being newly postpartum or a family crisis, you can cut yourself some slack. However, promise to commit this next year to passing your exam.
If you have failed at least twice, there is a pattern. We strongly advise you to come to our November 17-21 course. Not only do you need to come out running at the six-month mark, but perhaps it’s time you consider our Test Taking Skills Online Course.
For now, it’s too early to start studying in earnest - you’ll just burn out. Step away and heal emotionally. Decide if you can and will deeply commit to adequately preparing for this exam. If the answer is anything but an emphatic yes, you are setting yourself up for another disappointment. Statistically, the chances of failing the exam again after two attempts are dismally high. However, the program established by ABC has completely defied those odds. To say that we’ve blown them off the charts is an understatement. Call us and we can help you strategize.
You can do it … we can help

ABOG Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Part II: Lifelong Learning
The third and last quarter articles come out next month. Have you let some of the second and first quarter articles collect dust? Have you even done any? Remember that all 45 articles are due December 15^th, so do the math. With four months remaining, that means 10+ articles per month.
Furthermore, don’t forget that you must have enrolled in at least one practice module each year. If you have not, this can also be grounds to yank your certification – YIKES!
Part III: Secure Written Exam
Those of you in MOC Year 6 who have not averaged 86% or higher on your articles, must pass a written exam by December 15^th. We have a number of products to help you prepare for and pass your written exam. For those of you who have always tapped into a review course in preparing for your board certifying exams, you’ll no doubt benefit greatly by attending one of our five-day review courses being held September 15-19 and November 17-21. 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, is exam-focused, and all lectures follow the national ACOG guidelines. Heck, you’ll walk away with loads of everyday practice tips, too.
Still looking for more questions? Our Written Questions Manuals provide an additional 1700+ questions, plus a narrative explanation for each answer, along with references.  Additionally, our Q Banks for the OB/GYN are a computer-based 50 multiple-choice questions. They are designed to simulate your written board and CREOG in-service exam.
Oh, just in case you think you’re coasting after you pass your written exam, think again. You still have to read the 2021 articles. No rest for the weary!
You can do it…we can help.

Test Taking Tip:
The written exam is only 100 questions and you answer two books of fifty questions. Generalists get to choose their books or “selectives” for each exam. Subspecialists must take the first book based upon their designated subspecialty. They then choose a second book from the generalist’s selectives. The strategy is in matching the exam selective to your mode of practice.
Generalist: Selective Exam A & B (50 questions)

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

AOBOG Recertification Written Exam, 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: certification.osteopathic.org

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 CME hours and with loads of clinical pearls, too.