November 2024 Tip of the Month

Subspecialty Fellows Sitting for their 2024 ABOG General Certifying Board Exam

By now, many of you may have realized how much content has slipped, particularly in off-specialty areas. It’s true—"if you don’t use it, you lose it." There’s a significant amount to revisit and, sometimes, learn anew. Our Oral Exam FAQs offer a curated list of frequently asked questions for each case list category, ensuring comprehensive coverage of high-yield topics. Given that half of your exam is “Case of the Day,” simulating the exam with our Structured Cases can be very helpful. These guides, especially useful for subspecialists, allow you to test yourself rigorously on off-specialty subjects and reinforce critical knowledge. For a thorough review, you can always reach out for a case list consultation—whether you need a complete or selective review of your off-specialty cases—to help you anticipate potential questions and refine your responses.

Study Strategy:
Time is short. Remember you are sitting for your general boards, NOT your subspecialty boards. Starting now, don’t study anything in your subspecialty - focus entirely on your off-subjects. You do not need to study the exhaustive minute detail that you are used to for your subspecialty. It will not score you any more points and is a waste of precious study time. Our Test Topics Manual will provide you with a template for an exam-focused review. 

ABOG 2025 Certifying Exam Candidates

To set yourself up for success on the 2025 oral exam, it’s wise to start gathering case information now, as collections began in July. While applications won’t open until March 2025, waiting until then could make things more challenging. For GYN cases, try building a habit of collecting H&Ps, operative notes, pathology reports, and discharge summaries. For OB cases, keep a file for prenatal forms, delivery notes, discharge summaries, and postpartum notes. You can jump-start your preparation today with our online Case List Construction, tailored to guide you in organizing and entering cases efficiently. By starting now, you’ll create strong habits that will make a real difference when exam time comes.

Case List Construction Tip:
Don’t fret about the details of how to enter the data. You’ll change your mind at least a half dozen times before it’s all said and done. Take a stab at entering the data on the case list forms; then just use your common sense. Don’t worry about collecting patients for your office list yet. That will come later. For now, focus on the OB and GYN lists.

ABOG & AOBOG 2025 Qualifying Written Exam Candidates

For those preparing for the ABOG certification, please be advised that the $1,700 examination fee is due by February 14, 2025. Applications submitted after this date, but no later than February 28, will incur a late fee of $400. No applications will be accepted beyond this deadline.
The application window opened on October 16, 2024, for candidates planning to sit for the AOBOG spring written exam. The examination fee of $1,175 is due by February 19, 2025. Late applications will be accepted until March 19, 2025, with an additional fee of $352.50.

For those focused on excelling in the CREOG in-service training exam or aiming to maximize their written board exam score, consider enrolling in our Written Exam Online Learning Prep Course. This comprehensive, self-paced program offers all the tools needed to succeed from the convenience of your home. It features Over 42 hours of high-yield, exam-focused recordings including OB, ONC, Urogyn, Primary Care, Periop, OFC GYN, and REI topics. Additionally, our Test Taking Skills Online Course is designed to help those who have scored below 200 on their CREOG, have struggled with past board exams, or wish to see their scores more accurately reflect their knowledge. In just two months, you can master the CQRPE method and apply it in time for the January CREOG exam. Participants who have completed this course frequently see their scores improve by one standard deviation or 20 points—just imagine the potential impact on your board exam results!

Test-Taking Technique:
Anyone, not just residents, can take the CREOG exam, and it is STRONGLY advised for those who are repeating their board exam. Don’t worry - the results come only to you. If too much is at stake and you don’t want to experiment for the first time, take a test drive with our Written Questions.

AOBOG 2025 Oral Exam Candidates

For candidates preparing for the Spring 2025 exam, our is designed to give you a strong head start. This self-paced, comprehensive program includes everything you need to succeed, accessible from the comfort of home.

With over 42 hours of high-yield, exam-focused recordings, the course covers critical topics including Obstetrics, Oncology, Urogynecology, Primary Care, Perioperative Management, Office Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Additionally, our Visual Clinical Scenarios module offers a unique approach, guiding you through 20 visual aids with corresponding answers and an OMT presentation—an excellent refresher as you prepare for the oral exam.

ABOG Maintenance of Certification (MOC)  

Part II: Lifelong Learning
Please remember that all 30 required articles must be completed by November 15th. For those who may be behind, you’ll need to achieve a score of 80% or higher on 120 questions to fulfill the requirement. However, be aware that passing this way only awards 25 Category I CME credits instead of the usual 35. Additionally, please ensure that you have enrolled in at least one practice module each year, as failure to do so could impact your certification status.

Part III: Secure Written Exam
If you are in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Year 6, note that registration for the written exam must be completed by October 15th, with the exam itself to be passed by November 15th. We recommend getting a head start by purchasing our Course Recordings, which include our Course Binder and lecture handouts for effective note-taking. Additionally, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of our Test Topics Manual to ensure that your study sessions remain focused on exam-relevant content The Board has emphasized that both the Compendium and the articles are key areas of focus, so it’s wise to concentrate on MOC articles that align with the Compendium content. And remember, even after successfully passing the written exam, you are still required to review the 2024 articles—no early respite from your study commitments!

Test-Taking Tip:
You must pass the exam by November 15, 2024. You get a total of five attempts. SIGN UP FOR THE EXAM NOW. The written exam is on the computer. Go to www.pearsonvue.com/abog ahead of time for a tutorial to familiarize yourself with how to take an exam on the computer.

Royal College 2025 Exam Candidates

For those aiming to excel on the CREOG exam or looking to start strong on the written board exam, we recommend our Written Exam Online Learning Prep Course. This course provides focused study materials, and a customized five-month study plan tailored to help you reach your goals.

If you are preparing for the OSCE Applied Exam, consider our Audiovisual Course Recordings. This course includes over 42 hours of high-yield, exam-focused recordings covering Obstetrics, Oncology, Urogynecology, Primary Care, Perioperative Management, Office Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. With a 1-year subscription to our audiovisual materials through ABC's Learning Management System, Litmos, you’ll have convenient access to all content, including via the free mobile app.

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