For ABOG 2024 Certifying Exam Candidates
It's time to research and register for your review course options. While we are a bit biased and believe our course is ideal, there are key features you should look for. We recommend a board review course for an exam-focused review rather than just a general review course. Look for a faculty that lectures based on the latest ACOG recommendations, not on their research or unproven fads. The faculty should be knowledgeable about the oral exam process and content, and offer Mock Oral Exams and Case List Reviews. We suggest our August 13-18 Hybrid Board Review Course, specifically designed for those taking their oral exam. You can attend this course in person or virtually via Webex. Note that this is the only in-person course for the remainder of the year, so we strongly encourage you to register soon, especially if you plan on attending in person. The course will be held at the MAHEC Education Campus in Asheville, NC. Additionally, we have included the Oral Exam Workshop to cover strategies for taking an oral exam. It's beneficial to take this workshop early, as studying often takes more time than anticipated, and it's better to identify priority topics as soon as possible. Remember, half of your test is defending your case list. Our ABC faculty can review and provide a Comprehensive Case List Review. For more information on getting your case list reviewed, contact Melissa Krauss. Please note that case lists will not be accepted after August 8th for the August 16th submission.
Study Tip:
Lock your textbooks away. The only references you will need are the Compendium, Precis, and Prologs, and did we mention THE COMPENDIUM? These are the answer guides for your test. Contact acog.org if you need to order the newest version. A well-kept secret is to check the back of the green journal, Obstetrics & Gynecology, every month for the latest updates to the Compendium. You’ll impress the examiner if you are that current.
You can do it … we can help.
For ABOG 2025 Certifying Exam Candidates
The results for the written boards are typically released by October. If you opt for the fast track, you can take your oral exam immediately. However, please note that case collections began in July, just last month. Generally, you cannot apply for the certifying exam until February 2024. Delaying your case entries until then means you will already be eight months behind – a significant setback. Do not be overly concerned about the details of entering data at this stage, as adjustments are likely inevitable. For all GYN patients, establish the routine of collecting H&Ps, operative notes, pathology reports, and discharge summaries. For all OB patients, maintain a file of prenatal forms, delivery notes, discharge summaries, and postpartum notes. There is no need to focus on office patients at this time. Begin by entering data online, guided by your common sense.
To support you in this process, we will conduct a Case List Construction Workshop as part of our April 2025 Board Review Course. It is advisable to start now, fostering a habit of systematically collecting and entering cases.
Strategy Tip:
Should you get in the fast lane and go for the accelerated track or sit back and relax for 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 warped speed, since your exam is not until the fall of 2024.
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 2024 ABOG General Certifying Board Exam
Our review course is designed specifically for Fellows, providing the essential information you need to know for your exam. Even if your exam is not until November, there is a significant amount of material to relearn – and for some, to learn for the first time. We highly recommend attending our August 13-18 Board Review Course, where you will gather 90% of the material needed for your test. You can attend this course in person or virtually via Webex. Please note that this is the only in-person course scheduled for the remainder of the year. We strongly encourage you to register soon, especially if you plan to attend in person. The course will be held at the MAHEC Education Campus in Asheville, NC. We genuinely believe in your success and are here to support you every step of the way.
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 2024 Oral Exam Candidates
If you’re planning to take the October 2024 exam, secure your spot now. We offer a Virtual Board Review Course from August 14-18, strategically timed to prepare you just before the October exam. We believe our course is the ideal choice, and your osteopathic colleagues agree, making us the #1 go-to source for those preparing for their oral exam. This August course provides the flexibility to attend in person in Asheville, North Carolina, or virtually via Webex. Our course materials comprehensively cover all core topics and include mock oral exams to enhance articulation. There’s no better way to practice than with our private mock orals. Rest assured, we are dedicated to your success and are here to support you every step of the way.
Test-Taking Tips:
If you are sitting for your 2024 exam you still should have completed your extensive review of EACH core topic. Use the following checklist for each core topic, as the examiners will push you to the nth degree.
General Obstetrics and Gynecology:
Office-Based
Hospital-Based
Maternity Based
Gynecologic Oncology:
Neoplasms of the Vulva, Vagina, Cervix, Uterus, Fallopian tubes, Ovaries, Breast, and those associated with Pregnancy
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery:
Urinary Stress Incontinence/Genital Prolapse
Sexual Dysfunction/Pain Syndromes
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility:
Contraception Management
Ultrasonography of the Female Pelvis
Workup and Treatment of the Infertile Couple
Maternal-Fetal Medicine:
Evaluation of the High-Risk Pregnancy
Early Screening Tests and Diagnosis
Interventions available during Pregnancy
Be prepared to give at least three for your differential diagnosis and treatment options
You can do it … we can help.
Applications for the AOBOG Spring Written Exam will be available on October 16, 2024. The application fee of $1,175 is not due until February 19, 2025. Please note that there is an additional late fee of $352.50 for all applications submitted after February 19, with the final application deadline on March 19, 2025. If this will be your second attempt, take the time in August for some self-reflection. Consider why you did not pass previously. If you have failed before and had a reasonable excuse, such as insufficient study time or significant distractions like being newly postpartum or experiencing a family crisis, it is important to acknowledge these factors. However, it is crucial to commit to passing your exam this year. For those who have failed at least twice, a pattern may be emerging. We strongly advise attending our August 14-18 Board Review Course. This course offers the flexibility to attend in person at the MAHEC Education Campus in Asheville, NC, or virtually via Webex. This is the only in-person course scheduled for the remainder of the year, so we encourage you to register soon, especially if you plan to attend in person. At the six-month mark, it is essential to start preparing diligently. If you have any doubts about your ability to commit fully to this preparation, you may be setting yourself up for another disappointment. Statistically, the chances of failing the exam again after two attempts are high. However, the program established by ABC has significantly defied these odds. Contact us to help you strategize your preparation. We believe in your success and are here to support you.
You can do it ... we can help!
ABOG Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
Part II: Lifelong Learning
The third and final quarter articles will be released next month. If you have not yet completed the articles from the first and second quarters, now is the time to catch up. Remember, all articles are due by November 15th. With only three months remaining, you will need to complete more than 10 articles per month. Additionally, it is essential to enroll in at least one practice module each year. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of your certification.
Part III: Secure Written Exam
For those in MOC Year 6 who have not averaged 86% or higher on your articles, passing a written exam by November 15th is mandatory. We offer several resources to help you prepare for and pass this exam. Our five-day review course, scheduled for August 14-18, is available in person in Asheville, NC, or virtually via Zoom. Our review course has evolved to meet the needs of the adult learner, focusing on exam preparation and adhering to national ACOG guidelines. You will also gain practical tips for everyday practice. For additional preparation, our Written Questions Manuals provide 1,400 questions with narrative explanations and references for each answer. Additionally, our OB/GYN Q Banks offer computer-based, 50 multiple-choice questions designed to simulate the written board exam. We are dedicated to your success and here to support you.
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 on 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)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology and Office Practice & Women’s Health
- Obstetrics only
- Gynecology only (tends to have more Surgical GYN focus)
- Office Practice and Women’s Health only (primary care, office GYN & family planning focus)
Subspecialists: Selective Exam A (50 questions)
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
- Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
We’re getting many questions as to how to choose your selectives. The Board gives an itemization of the exam topics. Believe it or not, it is the same list of categories for the primary written exam and the oral exam case list; fortunately, the focus is much more clinical. It is well worth going to the Basic Bulletin at abog.org to look through the specific list. The focus for each of the General selectives is as follows:
- Obstetrics – Antepartum, Intrapartum, Postpartum.
- Gynecology only- Inpatient & Outpatient GYN focus, including REI, Urogyn, and Oncology
- Office Practice and Women’s Health only - Primary Care, Office GYN, Office Surgery & Family Planning focus
Each Selective can include “Cross Content Areas”, such as
- Safety
- Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Sciences
- Genetics
- Ethics & Professionalism