Test Taking Resources

Test Taking Skills_ Advisor Resources 

• slides from 4.2019, faculty development presentation by Drs. Softness and Paladine with high yield tips

ABFM Test Taking Prep Videos 

• scroll down to "prepare for the examination" section for study plan videos

AAFP family medicine practice boards questions. 

• It is free for members: https://www.aafp.org/cme/cme-topic/all/bd-review-questions.html

Based on available data, we have compiled the following TIPS for board studying. Please review and take advantage of the available resources, particularly if your chance of passing boards is < 90%. 

1. DO NOT: 

   1. Cram for boards: cramming for boards or use of crash board review courses have not shown to be effective strategies for studying.

      1. board review courses are only valuable when taken far enough in advance to give learner a long term study plan.

   2. Doing many board review questions or question banks are NOT effective unless you are targeting specific topics you did not perform as well on (most importantly reviewing explanations for missed questions to fill knowledge gaps)
      
      

2. DO: come up with a LONGITUDINAL studying strategy using practice based learning skills throughout your 3 years in residency:

   1. use pre-charting and post-clinic note writing times to look up core topics and incorporate what you learn into patient care plans (e.g. AFP article on gout if you have patient who presents with gout) 

   2. look up core practice guidelines for patients on FMIS and incorporate them into your medical decision making 

   3. document your thought processes/medical decision making, and reference your notes (incorporating references into notes may help commit newly learned information to memory)
      
      

3. DO: review your score report closely

   1. identify topics you did not perform well on and focus studying on filling those gaps (clinical categories maybe more relevant than organ systems) 

   2. review explanations for missed questions
      
      

4. DO: identify if you have test-taking difficulties (ABFM may give testing accommodations such as more time to complete as indicated) 

   1. consider evaluation for learning disabilities if this maybe an issue -- reach out to Dr. Paladine to discuss 

   2. if you are interested in neuropsychiatric testing, you have options through Columbia and Cornell 

      1. http://www.columbianeurology.org/patient-care/neuropsychology

      2. https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/profile/susan-m-sussmann-phd#overview

      3. https://psychiatry.weill.cornell.edu/neuropsychological-and-educational-assessment-program
         
         

5. DO: coordinate retaking the ITE exam score if you suspect your test scores are not reflective of your ability (reasons such as being on night float, not feeling well, emotional stress, running out of time, forgetting to do questions, etc). 

   1. we can arrange for retaking ITE exam under actual exam conditions
      
      

6. DO: use a variety of learning strategies

   1. most people have a mix of learning styles

   2. visual: make color coded notes, draw diagrams, concept maps 

   3. auditory: listen to podcasts (even passive listening while doing other things like exercise, commuting, etc can be helpful, see resources on new website for list of useful podcasts (Life long learning resources)

   4. kinesthetic: take notes when reading/listening to podcasts, highlights, frequent brief study breaks, study while exercising, make flash cards

   5. reading: AFP articles are high yield

   6. ABFM modules: those who do modules, perform better on exam (exam and modules created by ABFM!)
      
      

7. DO: Take advantage of the resources at your disposal

   1. ABFM video series on helpful tips for studying: https://www.theabfm.org/continue-certification/cognitive-expertise/one-day-fmc-exam/exam-info (scroll down to PREPARE FOR EXAMINATION)

   2. Educational specialist through GME: Shubha Dathatri (sd369@cumc.columbia.edu) to review individualized test taking strategies

   3. Meet with your advisor to plan a strategy for longitudinal board studying 

   4. Reach out to program leadership: Drs. Paladine and Desai