Allergy & Immunology boards test preparation

The ABAI exam was first administered in 1974, and the first recertification exam was administered in 1977. Annual exams started in 2005, and certifies roughly 120 allergy specialists every year. The certification exam has about 225 items and is administered in 2 sessions at an approved test center. Questions are in multiple choice format with a single best response type answer, and are computer administered. Each question has 4 response options. The typical passing score is 400.

 

Certification content

The content is approximately 1/3 Basic Science (35%) and 2/3 Clinical topics (65%). The detailed content blueprint is available at ABAI.

• Basic Science 35%: immune mechanisms 15%; immune cells 10%; Anatomy / Physiology / Pathology 7%; Research Principles 3%.
• Clinical Science 65%: hypersensitivity 31%; immunological disorders 12%; pharmacology / therapeutics 10%; diagnostic modalities 7%; allergens / antigens 5%.

Compare this distribution to the questions distribution at questionmountain here.

ITE (in-service training examination)

While the ABAI board and AAAAI's ITE exams are fundamentally two different exams administered by two different organizations, there is considerable overlap in the knowledge content and pattern of questions. The content can be expected to be similar to the certification exam content outlined above. The ITE typically has 200 questions administered over 3.5 hours.

• High Yield Topics
• Basic immunology
• Biostatistics
• Immunodeficiency
• Allergens
• Drugs
• Images

 

Suggested preparation techniques:

- Review the examination blueprint given above
- Do practice tests from the database to get a sense of areas of weakness. Areas with lower score can be studied in more detail. Additionally, in questionmountain, compare your performance to other users to see which areas you're particularly weak in.
- Independent review of weak areas before retaking tests.
- Review incorrect responses prior to actual test

A very effective way to prepare is to condense down the necessary materials. A useful strategy is to form a study group, assign topics and have each prepare a handout which is high-yield including sample questions on the topics with explanations. That way you have review sheets and don’t need to go through every chapter or topic on your own! Ask your groupmates to be thorough, but not overlydetailed. It should be a guide, a review for reference – you can then fill in anything you find important as you are working on questions.

 

Resources

- Questionmountain test questions
- AAAAI board review course
- ACAAI review for the Allergy and Immunology boards.
- Textbooks: Middleton's Allergy, Patterson's Allergic Diseases, Abbas Immunobiology, Janeway Immunobiology.
- Journals: JACI, Allergy, Annals of allergy, asthma and Immunology, Journal of clinical immunology