Preparing for the ABR oral exam: a resident's guide

AuntMinnie.com is pleased to present this white paper by Dr. Stephen Humes for our members to download. You'll need the free Acrobat reader software to view the document once you have saved it to your computer. If you'd like to offer your comments about the material, please e-mail [email protected].

This document Pdf Icon (click here to download) is meant to provide residents with a guide to prepare for the final phase of their training: the American Board of Radiology (ABR) oral exam.

At the most basic level, the main thing that kept me settled during the whole process was my deep-seated belief that the examiners want you to pass. They are there to help you pass. They really are. You will hear this from those who have gone before, yet it always seemed the hindsight perspective was all too easily shared. It's hard to see this as the days wind down to the exam.

But it's true. No examiner gave the impression that he or she was "out to get me." One examiner had even set up a nice little wet bar and candy because he "thought it might help." Another kept asking me if I wanted to rest between cases.

So when it's hard to breathe and the anxiety sets in, remember the above. It helps.

This guide contains the following items:

  • A section on how the exam is graded
  • A list of the key books and resources you should know
  • An overview of some review courses
  • Scheduling review sessions
  • An approach to individual cases
  • "Pearls" on boardsmanship
  • Some advice on taking the exam

To download the guide, just click here.

By Dr. Stephen Humes
AuntMinnie.com contributing writer
February 19, 2004

Dr. Humes passed his ABR oral boards in 2003 and is currently an interventional radiology fellow.

Related Reading

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Top Teaching Files, February 12, 2004

Top Radiology Reads, November 18, 2003

Reading is fundamental: Imaging books will rock your residency, September 4, 2003

The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the author, and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the American Board of Radiology or AuntMinnie.com.

Copyright © 2004 AuntMinnie.com

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