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You will need to be present only for one of the three days of the exam (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday)
and only for the morning or afternoon session (approximately 1/2 day). The entire session is 90 minutes
for 3 stations.
ABS data shows that there is no systematic, significant relationship between the CE fail rate and factors
such as exam location, time of year, or the day and time of the examination.
CE results are posted on the ABS website the day following the last day of the examination.
Residents' performance on ABS examinations is one factor evaluated by the ACGME when reviewing a
residency program's accreditation. Your program thus needs to continuously monitor the examination
performance of its residents.
No books, papers, briefcases or electronic devices may be brought into the examination sessions. You will
not need to take notes during the sessions.
The Examiners
Two examiners are used in each of the three exam sessions to assure the validity of the examination. One
examiner will be an ABS director and another will be an experienced ABS diplomate from the
local/regional medical community. All examiners are surgeons in active practice and hold current time-
limited certificates. The examiners are carefully instructed to evaluate each candidate objectively; they
have no knowledge of a candidate other than his or her name.
The ABS makes every effort to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest between examiners and
candidates. The ABS verifies that candidates and examiners have never been at the same institution at the
same time or have worked together in any venue.
The Examination
Candidates have already demonstrated sufficient knowledge of surgery by their successful performance
on the QE. The purpose of the CE is to assess process thinking and judgment. All candidates are
questioned across similar subject areas representing the breadth of general surgery. The cases presented
are structured beforehand and constitute common problems seen in general surgery practice. Typically
four cases will be presented to the candidate during each 30-minute session. Candidates should be able to
answer not only what they would do and how, but why.
Listen carefully to each case presented and respond with your own plan or actions to resolve it. The
examiners want to find out what you would do in your own practice. Tell them what you would do, not
what you think they may want you to say. Be prepared to defend your plans and actions with acceptable
logic. If you honestly do not know anything about a problem, it is recommended that you say so. This will
allow the examiners to proceed to other problems with which you may be more conversant.
Exam Results
At the end of a 30-minute exam session, each examiner independently records a grade based on his or her
evaluation of the candidate's performance. The ABS' decision regarding certification is not based upon
any preset pass/fail rate, but solely upon the aggregate evaluation of the six examiners. Results are mailed
and posted the day after the last day of the examination.
How to Prepare
The ABS believes that the best preparation for the CE is to "practice" taking oral examinations. You should ask a
colleague, preferably a board-certified surgeon, to question you for two to three hours every week for several
months. Practice not only the content of your answers, but also presenting your decision-making process in a clear,
logical manner. Your examiner should probe deeply enough into your answers to make certain that you provide
adequate information, and should critique your answers with regard to promptness, clarity, logic, and evidence of
problem-solving ability.
"I would advise reading management-specific text. I would also advise lots of practice in public speaking,
conversing face-to-face with senior colleagues. Put the fear behind you."
"I would encourage participation in as many mock oral exams as possible, along with targeted reading."
"Do as many oral cases as possible with faculty, especially in their area of expertise."
"Prepare early (3-6 months ahead). Practice scenarios often, daily during your last month."
"I would recommend starting to prepare at least two months ahead."
"Be sure to read and study throughoutcannot 'cram' and be a safe surgeon."
"Read every day!"
"Read broadly. Review practice guidelines at your institution."
"Don't waste time on obscure diseases/scenarios; focus on broad general surgery topics."
"Focus on core general surgery topics, not esoterica."
"You need to study and review a broad spectrum of cases. Practice with a variety of people."
"Don't forget to study common things. I studied all the rare things and didn't go over common diagnoses."
"Practice talking through scenarios with others."
"Learn to say what you are thinking; it doesn't come naturally."
"Don't forget to read about your own specialty!"
"Don't study minutiae; focus on the big picture."
"Review bread-and-butter general surgery."
"Don't study like you did for the QE. Focus on logical and well-organized problem solving."
"Concentrate more on areas that you have not seen or experienced since residency."
"Do mock orals with colleagues regularly to practice talking out loud and explaining yourself."
"Practice explaining procedures in a quick, efficient manner."
"Learn to speak about surgery out loud."
"A course is not necessary to successfully complete this exam."
"Don't be nervous!"
"Don't overthink things."
"Know your plan and stick with it. Be confident and don't second-guess yourself."
"Stay calm. Do not dwell on previous questions/rooms."
"Focus on answering the questions."
"Stay focused. Be systematic. Don't jump to conclusions."
"Don't focus on the mistakes you made in previous questions."
"Articulate your thoughts, be specific with an organized plan."
"Approach cases like real patients."
"Think like you are taking care of this patient in real life."
"The exam is less about content and more about analysis and communication."
"Would not have waited so long to take Certifying Exammore than one year since Qualifying Exam."
"Take exam immediately after training. Do not wait until after fellowship in another specialty."
Let me sum it up: Residents who pass the oral board examination are residents who regard surgical education as a
daily synthesis of verbal expression, scientific study and the dynamic expression of both through the performance of
operations.