Predicting Performance on the American Board of Surgery Qualifying and Certifying Examinations
- 1 September 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in Archives of Surgery
- Vol. 145 (9), 852-6
- https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2010.177
Abstract
We sought to determine whether US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score, American Board of Surgery (ABS) In-Training Examination (ABSITE) score, and other variables are associated with failing the ABS qualifying and certifying examinations. Identifying such factors may assist in the early implementation of an academic intervention for at-risk residents. Retrospective review. Seventeen general surgery training programs in the western United States. Six hundred seven residents who graduated in 2000-2007. First-time pass rates on the qualifying and certifying examinations, US vs non-US medical school graduation, USMLE Steps 1 and 2 scores, ABSITE scores, operative case volume, fellowship training, residency program type, and mandatory research. The first-time qualifying and certifying examination pass rates for the 607 graduating residents were 78% and 74%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, scoring below the 35th percentile on the ABSITE at any time during residency was associated with an increased risk of failing both examinations (odds ratio, 0.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.68] for the qualifying examination and 0.35 [0.20-0.61] for the certifying examination), as was scoring less than 200 on the USMLE Step 1 (0.36 [0.21-0.62] for the qualifying examination and 0.62 [0.42-0.93] for the certifying examination). A mandatory research year was associated with an increased likelihood of passing the certifying examination (odds ratio, 3.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.6-6.8]). Residents who are more likely to fail the ABS qualifying and certifying examinations can be identified by a low USMLE Step 1 score and by poor performance on the ABSITE at any time during residency. These findings support the use of the USMLE Step 1 score in the surgical residency selection process and a formal academic intervention for residents who perform poorly on the ABSITE.Keywords
This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- Weekly Assigned Reading and Examinations During Residency, ABSITE Performance, and Improved Pass Rates on the American Board of Surgery ExaminationsJournal of Surgical Education, 2008
- American board of surgery examinations: Can we identify surgery residency applicants who will pass the examinations on the first attempt?Journal of Surgical Education, 2008
- Does Academic Intervention Impact ABS Qualifying Examination Results?Current Surgery, 2006
- Directed postgraduate study result in quantitative improvement in American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam scoresThe American Journal of Surgery, 2006
- Remediation of Low ABSITE ScoresCurrent Surgery, 2005
- Significantly Improved American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination Scores Associated With Weekly Assigned Reading and Preparatory ExaminationsArchives of Surgery, 2003
- Observations on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination, board results, and conference attendanceThe American Journal of Surgery, 1982