Test Preparation Tips: ABPN certificationOVERVIEW The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Inc. started psychiatry certification in 1935 and awarded 1192 certificates in psychiatry in 2008. Remember that to become a board-certified psychiatrist, there are two examinations: Part I (computer based, multiple choice) examination and Part II (oral, with live patients and clinical vignettes) examination. However, things are changing in the certification process and you may be part of the graduating class that does NOT need to take Part II. According to the ABPN website (http://www.abpn.com/Initial_Psych.htm), if you were a PGY-I on July 1, 2007 or a PGY-II on July 1, 2008, then you do NOT take the Part II (oral) examination. Your certification will only consist of one computerized examination. However, if you were a PGY-1 before July 1, 2007 or a PGY-II before July 1, 2008, then you will need to pass BOTH the Part I examination and the Part II (oral) examination. Once you pass Part I, you will receive instructions on how to sign up and take Part II (usually held about one year later at a designated testing site in the U.S.). For frequently asked questions on the Part I examination, visit http://www.abpn.com/downloads/misc_publications/pearson_VUE_FAQ.pdf. The Part I examination is comprised of PSYCHIATRY and NEUROLOGY topics. In order to pass the examination, you must PASS BOTH the Psychiatry and Neurology sections. Of course, the questions are intermixed throughout the examination, but for scoring they are then sorted out and graded separately. The ratio is approximately 170: 250 (In 2010, there were 167 Neurology and 253 Psychiatry). SIGNING UP FOR PART I EXAMINATION:Print the following document to complete and mail in: http://www.abpn.com/downloads/apps/App_Psych_PartI_2011_fill_enbld.pdf. Note that you need to send a check for $1650 along with the application. (You may be at an institution where part of the fee can be reimbursed or at least save the documentation for your tax returns as this may be considered a “business expense” and you should check with your accountant.) For 2011 exam, the deadline was September 1, 2010 with late deadline (fee required) on November 1, 2010 for test date choices May 9-13, May 16-20, 2011. Please visit http://www.abpn.com/Initial_Psych.htm for accurate details. Be aware that the time between sending this application and having your check deposited and receiving the notice to sign up for the venue and date will be SEVERAL MONTHS. In previous years, notice was only received around March for the June test dates! So don’t worry right away if you don’t receive anything in the mail for some time. As soon as you receive the notice to sign up (examination is taken at Pearson VUE centers), act quickly as the better spots fill up faster than you think. THE QUESTION STYLESThe Part I examination is a computer-based exam (similar to USMLE steps 1, 2, and 3), is completed in ONE day and consists of two parts, with a break in-between for lunch (once you start the first or second parts, you cannot stop in the middle to take a break, but have to push through until the end). Each part has 210 multiple choice questions (answer choice A through E), some are based on the same vignette while others are stand-alone questions. It’s useful to have a concept of the ABPN question styles. The ABPN website gives the format of the two types of questions and it is worthwhile taking a look: http://www.abpn.com/downloads/ifas/Sample_Questions_PartI.pdf. While going through question banks, including ours, keep this in mind as the way questions are likely to be framed. COMPUTER-BASED SAMPLE TESTSPreparing for the computer based interface is quite helpful and can boost your confidence going in. Take a sample test at the Pearson VUE website to be familiar with the test taking format and become familiar with the interface. Go to http://www.pearsonvue.com/abpn. And of course, the best source is PsychTutorial! It simulates the real exam and you can choose your topics and then review the detailed explanations to learn even more. It is a very helpful tool to employ in your studies so you can get comfortable answering questions on the computer and learning how to best pace yourself to get through an entire section. You don’t want to start learning this in the examination room! RECOMMENDED SOURCES FOR STUDYING + TIPSThere are seminars/full courses on Neurology and Psychiatry topics. Speak to people in your program to see if these are worth your while and money (they are expensive). If you are particularly weak in Neurology, it may be worthwhile to take Kaufman’s course. You can search online. Kaufman also has a very good book (see below) for those of you who study best on your own or by reading.
For a list of the topics tested on the 2011 boards exam, visit (and print out to help you guide your studies): http://www.abpn.com/downloads/content_outlines/Initial%20Cert/content_Cert_PartI_PsychAB_2011.pdf It may be instructive to see how this has changed since 2010. See the 2010 content outlines at http://www.abpn.com/downloads/content_outlines/Initial%20Cert/Content_psych_partI_2010.pdf MOST RECOMMENDED REFERENCES
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PRITE® factsMultiple choice questions testing for in-services in various specialties was proposed in 1964, after concerns about the observed high fail rates in neurosurgery certification exams (1). It was felt that an inservice training exam would help improve the board pass rates. The PRITE® (Psychiatry Residents-in-Training Examination) was first conducted in 1979, and annually since 1982 (2). The PRITE® is taken by residents in the US and Canada(3). In 1991, more than 5800 residents took the test (1). It is administered by the American College of Psychiatrists, a non-profit honorary association of psychiatrists. 10 reasons why the PRITE® is important?
PRITE Neurology sub-section scores correlate more with board scores (R=0.73), so careful preparation of Neurology is essential. Indeed, a study at the University of Michigan found that the Neurology scores improved over the years of psychiatry training (5) Content materialThe content areas tested for the PRITE® include Neurology and Neurosciences, Growth and Development, Adult Psychopathology, Emergency Psychiatry, Behavioral Science and Social Psychiatry, Psychosocial Therapies, Somatic Treatment Methods, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry (3). Details of the PRITE® examination can be found at the ACP website http://www.acpsych.org/prite/prite.html. Why PsychTutorial?
Use PsychTutorial to be comfortable with answering questions and pacing yourself. You don’t want to start learning this in the examination room! Good test preparation strategies translate into good scores. List of review books recommended
Good luck with your tests!
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