Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

You failed your surgical boards. What’s next?

Skeptical Scalpel, MD
Education
August 26, 2016
107 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

“I graduated this July and took the QE (written general surgery boards) on July 19th. I got my results today, and I failed. Not only did I fail but my score placed me in the 5th percentile. Needless to say, I’m disappointed. You hear stories about CE (oral exam) failure but never about QE failure. I never blew the ABSITE out of the water (50, 29, 20, 34, 38), but I never would have expected to perform so poorly. Rather than search for blame I’d like to form an effective strategy so that I pass the second time around.”

***

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.

In your time as a program director did you have a resident or residents fail the QE? Several residents failed the QE. The most notable was a guy who never got below the 60th percentile on the ABSITE. To this day, I cannot understand how that happened.

What became of these people? You will be happy to learn that nearly everyone eventually passed. Patients never ask you how many times it took you to pass the boards. They don’t know about that sort of thing. As far as I know, failing the boards on the first attempt has no long term ramifications except for your program which is judged by the percentage of residents who pass the boards on their first attempt.

Any advice on how to avoid another failure? (In order to help you answer the last question I will tell you that I went through SESAP 15 once. I listened to the audio as well. I stuck to high-yield sources and UpToDate to supplement SESAP. I avoided reading any formal textbooks but I did read Cameron front to back during residency.)  I have found that everyone learns in different ways. There is no single path to success.

One thing you said caught my attention: “I avoided reading any formal textbooks.”

I think that would be a good place to start. You need to get a basic full-sized surgery textbook and read it carefully all the way through. I would advise you to take notes, make flashcards, or whatever else you think might help you to remember important points. Cameron is a great book but in my opinion, it is more suited to studying for the oral boards because it is more clinically focused.

SESAP is geared more toward surgeons doing recertifying exams and is probably not worth spending time on for the QE.

Many of my residents used books of practice questions which may help, but only after you have done a lot of reading.

After you have studied your textbook and are feeling fairly comfortable, you should think about taking an intensive review course a few weeks before the exam. That may help solidify your knowledge. Taking a review course without studying beforehand probably won’t work because it is so much information over a short period of time that you will not be able to retain it all.

Study hard because the last thing you need is to fail the QE again. That would put tremendous pressure on the third attempt. You don’t want to be in that position.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

“Skeptical Scalpel” is a surgeon who blogs at his self-titled site, Skeptical Scalpel.  This article originally appears in Physician’s Weekly.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Government-run health care isn't going away

August 25, 2016 Kevin 21
…
Next

7 pediatrician tips for back-to-school success

August 26, 2016 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Government-run health care isn't going away
Next Post >
7 pediatrician tips for back-to-school success

More by Skeptical Scalpel, MD

  • The hospital CEO who made a surgical incision. What happened?

    Skeptical Scalpel, MD
  • Medical error is not the third leading cause of death

    Skeptical Scalpel, MD
  • Should speed-eating contests be banned?

    Skeptical Scalpel, MD

Related Posts

  • An interview with a medical student who failed the boards

    Anonymous
  • Why did it feel like I failed my patient?

    Aatqa Memon
  • A surgical resident is held back a year. Finding out who’s right will be difficult.

    Skeptical Scalpel, MD
  • 3 ways we’ve failed woman who breastfeed

    Joanna Buscemi, PhD
  • Medical school testing boards are profiteering during a pandemic 

    Fatima M. Warsame
  • The most far-reaching effects of our failed leadership

    Matthew Hahn, MD

More in Education

  • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

    Farzana Hoque, MD
  • The pros and cons of taking a gap year during medical school

    Med School Insiders
  • Breaking the silence: the truth about mental health challenges among medical students and why medical schools must take action

    Erin Waldrop
  • Breaking the stigma: Encouraging mental health help-seeking in medical trainees

    Anonymous
  • I’m not so different from Lionel Messi – and neither are you

    Lauren Tien
  • 6 ways ChatGPT can help you succeed in medical school

    Drew Bergman
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • From journalism to medicine: Unveiling the untold stories of patients’ medical conditions

      Veronica Bonales, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • From journalism to medicine: Unveiling the untold stories of patients’ medical conditions

      Veronica Bonales, MD | Physician
    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

      Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD | Conditions
    • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

      Farzana Hoque, MD | Education
    • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

      Raya E. Kheirbek, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 10 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Chicago PD Measles Outbreak; Affordable Care Hearing Starts; New Apple Health Apps
  • New Data in NSCLC Bolster Support for Perioperative Immunotherapy
  • Breathing Support Type Matters for Preventing Extubation Failure in the PICU
  • Second-Line Axi-Cel Bests Standard in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • New Agents for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Impress in Early-Stage Clinical Trials

Meeting Coverage

  • New Data in NSCLC Bolster Support for Perioperative Immunotherapy
  • Second-Line Axi-Cel Bests Standard in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • New Agents for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Impress in Early-Stage Clinical Trials
  • CAR-T Tops Standard Care in Heavily Pretreated Lenalidomide-Refractory Myeloma
  • T-DXd Proves Mettle in Multiple Solid Tumors
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • From journalism to medicine: Unveiling the untold stories of patients’ medical conditions

      Veronica Bonales, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • From journalism to medicine: Unveiling the untold stories of patients’ medical conditions

      Veronica Bonales, MD | Physician
    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

      Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD | Conditions
    • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

      Farzana Hoque, MD | Education
    • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

      Raya E. Kheirbek, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

You failed your surgical boards. What’s next?
10 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...