Preparing for the ABFM Certification Exam Lynda Barry

Preparing for the ABFM Certification Exam Lynda Barry, MD Waco Family Practice Residency Program

References • www. abfp. org • 26 th annual Family Practice Review Course: James Tysinger and Alison Dobbie • 2001 Residency Assistance Program Workshop: In-training and Certification Examinations • “Preparation for the In-training Examination Test Taking tips” Dennis Hufford CDR, MC, USN (Faculty Development Fellowship) Madigan Army Medical Center

References • American Academy of Family Physicians Family Practice Board Review Resource Packet • “In-training exam course curriculum”, Gurjeet Shokar MD UTMB Galveston • “Tips on Test Taking”, James E Van Arsdall Ed. D, University of Nebraska • The National Family Medicine Board Review Course, Michigan Sate University Department of Family Practice, “Test Taking Strategies”

Plan: Two One Hour Lecture/Workshop Sessions • Session # 1 – Discuss the test (Certification) • Blueprint, Development, Application process, Date, Sites – Explain how the tests (Certification and ITE) relate to each other • Predicting passing Certification based on ITE scores – Develop study strategies • Session #2 – Discuss test taking tips • How to figure out the answer if you don’t know it – Work through questions using test taking tips • Focus will be on questions most missed on ITE

Current Research • Coaching and preparation – can significantly increase test performance • Any examination tests your skill in two basic areas – Knowledge and application of the technical material – Skill and familiarity with test taking and basic question and test types

“Special Requirement for Residency Education in Family Practice” • One measure of the quality of a residency program – is the performance of its graduates on the certifying examination of the American Board Of Family Practice. • In its evaluation of residency programs, the RRC will take into consideration – the information provided by the ABFP regarding resident performance on the certifying examinations over a period of several years.

“Residency Review Committee” • The committee will use the scores for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 years – and will take into consideration noticeable improvements or declines during the period considered. • Poor performance will be cited – if more than 10% of a program’s candidates fail on the first examination over a period of consecutive years – and/or the program’s composite score is consistently below the 25 th percentile in the nation.

Preparing for ABFP Certification Exams • Must Know Information: – Date: July 21 st, 22 nd, 23 rd, 28 th, 29 th, 30 th, August 4 th, 5 th, 6 th – Application deadline • Can submit January 31 st, February 28 th, March 31 st and April 30 th • But it is more expensive the later you submit – $1000, $1100, $1200, $1300, $1400 • Nonrefundable fee – Submitting the application • Must be notarized statement of truth of contents • Incomplete of lacking supporting documents will be returned • Must have full and unrestricted license by June 1 st

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The Test • Exam Length: 7. 5 hours • Part one in the morning – Designed to test knowledge pertinent to the variety of disciplines that make up our complex specialty – Single best answer multiple choice questions and clinical problems • Part two in the afternoon – Three modular examinations selected from seven subject areas • Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Gynecology, and Emergent and Urgent Care – Single best answer MCQ – Pictorial section requiring candidate to interpret color pictures, x-rays, EKG’s and other illustrations

The Test • Types And numbers of questions – Clinical problem sets • 220 – Single best answer MCQ’s • 280 • Percentage correct to pass per area – MCQ’s • About 60% – Clinical problem sets • About 75% • Percentage of candidates passing – 90% • Penalty for guessing – none

The Test • Can you pass this test? – Assess your likelihood of not passing • At Risk • Moderate Risk • Low Risk • Remember, this is a test of your knowledge and skills, NOT an intelligence test!!

The ITE and The ABFP Certification Exam ITE Exams ITE ITE 1 2 3 1&2 1&3 2&3 1, 2&3 Certification Pass % 91 80 74 76 70 59 58

Preparing for the Exam • Develop an “I will Pass” attitude and prepare – Don’t try to cram – Accept the fact that you do not know everything – Develop a positive attitude toward the exam • Budget your time using the content weights • Taking the exam away from home – – Arrange flights and hotel to avoid stress Find two routes to the testing center Relax, enjoy dinner, sleep Schedule departure with a time cushion

Study Resources • Websites: – www. theabfm. org, www. familypractice. com • Texts: – Swanson’s Family Practice Review: A Problem Oriented Approach Mosby-Year 2000 – Available online at www. amazon. com $69. 95

Study Resources • Journals – Journal of the American Board Of Family Practice (JABFP, the gray journal) • Now available on line only – Family Practice Recertification – AAFP monographs – American Family Physician – The Medical Letter

Study Resources • Software – Exam Master for the Family Practice Certification Exam. • Available for $224 at www. exammaster. com/Certification -Review/family-practice. htm – Family Practice Recertification 2002 Edition • Available for $349 on CD-ROM from the CME Info Store at http: //store. yahoo. com/cmeinc/item-117 web. html – The Monograph Collection: AAFP Home Study Self Assessment. Six-year curriculum • Available for $195 on CD-ROM from Medifor Inc at http: //www. ramex. com/cm/cm-mono. html

Strategy: Plan • Learn about the exam • Prepare a study timetable on the calendar • Schedule your study time • Obtain your resources • Get help early!

Strategy: Study • Prepare study charts • Relate charts to patients • Process the chart information – Learn it – Understand it – Apply it

Strategy: Study • Another way – Skim the chapter quickly to get a mental set for the work to be done – Eliminate material you already know and focus on the stuff you don’t know – Study the stuff you don’t know and formulate a question for each item you want to remember – Identify the stuff that has you lost and look it up in a major textbook – Repeat this process for each chapter – Allow some time to pass before you review the material again

Strategy: Study • Another way: – Do tests – Look up what you don’t know – This forces study of what you don’t know – Some think studying/reading without a basis, a question or a patient problem is a waste of time

Strategy: Review • Review at least ten minutes each day – If using charts carry them with you – If using the chapter method keep circling until you have eliminated any knowledge deficits

Strategy: Practice Tests • Take 20 -30 practice questions every 3 -4 days • Identify content strengths and weaknesses • Modify study plan PRN

Strategy • Improve Memory • www. mindtools. com – A website devoted to memory improvement • Nutrition and memory

Nutrition and Memory choline Green leafy vegetables Improves memory Vit B 12 Dairy, fish, meat Deficiency impairs memory and concentration Vit B 1 Wheat germ, green leafy veg, lean meats memory Vit B 6 Brewer’s yeast, bananas, peanuts, poultry concentration Vit C Citrus, tomatoes, broccoli, Removes toxins, reduces green peppers stress, helps concentration Calcium Dairy, green leafy veg Deficiency impairs memory Exercise Running, jogging, walking, swimming Reduces stress, improves memory by increasing blood flow to brain Relaxation Deep breathing Improves concentration

Preparing for the Board Exam • Things to think about: – How can I use the information discussed today to prepare for the exam? – What must I do THIS WEEK to prepare for the exam? – What are my strengths and needs?

Next time: • Test taking strategies • Sample questions • Anything else?