Preparing for the 10-Year Exam
In the year my recertification was due, I logged into my ABIM account to verify requirements and deadlines. After signing up for the recertification exam on the ABIM website, I was directed to the Pearson Vue website to select my testing center and date. The process was straightforward and glitch-free.
To fulfill the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) point requirements, it is necessary to systematically accumulate points through accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities. The ABIM web portal indicates how many MOC points you are missing for the recertification cycle. I converted my UpToDate CME credits into ABIM MOC points, a straightforward process if you follow the necessary steps and keep your accounts updated.
Numerous resources are available for assessing and testing your knowledge prior to the exam. My first assessment included an online GI Board question bank, followed by a virtual Board Review Course. Next, I used the GI society-based Self-Assessment Test, which was well-suited for honing testing skills as well as reviewing the questions and answers in detail. Both the online question bank and GI society tests offered additional MOC points upon successful completion of practice exams. I also found it useful to reread guidelines in areas outside my usual practice and use UpToDate on an ongoing basis, like in everyday clinical practice. Completing the MOC requirements well ahead of my exam date was relatively easy.
Exam Experience
The exam itself is a 10-hour, grueling experience, but I was familiar with the format and expectations. The exam day was divided into several sessions, each containing a maximum of 60 multiple-choice questions, usually totaling 220 questions with an average of 2 minutes per question. The use of UpToDate is permitted during the recertification exam. While UpToDate is an excellent clinical resource, it cannot substitute for comprehensive knowledge. It is useful for verifying specific facts but cannot fill knowledge gaps during the exam.
Pros and Cons of the 10-Year Exam
Pros:
- Focused Preparation: Preparing for a single, comprehensive exam leads to an in-depth review of the entire subspecialty, reinforcing foundational knowledge and ensuring breadth in less familiar areas.
- Clear Endpoint: The 10-year exam offers a clear endpoint. Once passed, the certification is valid for the next decade, allowing focus on practice or academic endeavors without a need for ongoing assessments.
- Consistency: The standardized nature of the exam ensures consistency in the assessment process, with all physicians tested under the same conditions.
- Benchmarking: A decade-long interval provides a significant time frame for measuring knowledge and expertise, allowing comparison with other test takers.
Cons:
- High Stakes: The exam is high stakes, creating significant stress. Failure can have serious professional consequences, potentially affecting credentials and career.
- Rigidity: The fixed schedule offers little flexibility, requiring careful planning and preparation, which may not align with personal or professional circumstances.
- Comprehensive Nature: Extensive preparation is challenging for busy physicians. Balancing study time with clinical responsibilities can be difficult.
- Outdated Information: Medical knowledge evolves rapidly, and the 10-year interval may not reflect the most current practices, leading to gaps in knowledge.
