How to Prepare for ABSITE

To start, understand that there is no “magic bullet” to defeat ABSITE. No matter what anyone tells you, there is no perfect strategy to guarantee 99th percentile. In general, the most significant factor to predict performance is performance on prior knowledge-based exams such as Step 1, Step 2 and prior ABSITE. The past, however, does not define your future. There are steps you can take to improve your performance. There are both efficient and non-efficient strategies. There are no shortcuts and there is no easy way out but with dedication and drive you can succeed.

Study Time: Study year-round. You cannot lounge all year and expect a few weeks of study to push you over the edge. You don’t need to be doing 100 questions a day in mid-March, but you should be constantly reviewing and learning. Spending hours reading UpToDate articles or the latest research paper is great but you need to review ABSITE-relevant material as well. Make ABSITE review a part of your regular routine. As “Judgement Day” approaches plan for a minimum of 4-5 weeks of dedicated ABSITE study. For best results it is generally recommended to begin in November or early December. The motivated resident may even take a week vacation in January to permit additional intensive study.

Review Material: There are many resources out there. Ultimately, you cannot use a book or any other material on the exam. You are tested on your knowledge and recall ability. Throughout the year look through review material and take time to thoroughly understand the topic you are reading. During your dedicated study period focus primarily on recall and practice-questions, using review materials only to supplement.

Question Bank: Do a MINIMUM of 1,000 questions. However, the more the better and we would recommend trying to finish two separate question banks. Try to finish whatever banks you are working on with enough time to then repeat all of the questions you missed. Repeating missed questions will allow you to focus on the material you struggle with closer to the exam and solidify your understanding.

Reviewing Questions: When you are reviewing a practice-question during your dedicated study time – read the explanation, try to understand the reasoning and MOVE ON. Too many residents spend too much time getting lost in the minutia. The content of the ABSITE is broad and the chance that a single question appears on the exam is low. You could spend 45-minutes reading about a single question to try and comprehend something you missed or instead during that time you could get through 10-20 separate questions increasing the breadth of material you have seen. Spending hours diving into the minutia during that critical dedicated study period is inefficient and may even be detrimental to your progress.

Final Thought: How many people have fallen along the path? You’ve made it this far. You’re here. You’re a surgery resident. You have the ability and you can achieve the score you desire. It simply takes time, dedication and drive. Don’t make excuses, just do it. We are dedicated to advancing your surgical education. If you have questions or need help, simply reach out – we are here for you!

The O.R. Study Plan

Year-Round Study

  • Use Our “Review of Surgery” for High-Yield Rapid Review of Subjects When Studying for Cases, Rounding, or Preparing for M&M
  • Reading Material:
    • Intern: You May Often Feel Overwhelmed by the Simple Stress of Learning How to Be a Physician and Function in Your New Role. A good starting goal is to finish an ABSITE-Specific Review Book Before Your Dedicated Study Period. This Will Provide a Good Initial Overview of the Relevant Material (We Recommend the Behind the Knife: ABSITE Podcast Companion). Starting off reading an advanced textbook from day one can be daunting an often covers more advanced material that you won’t truly appreciate.
    • Residents: Use Your Preferred Textbook for a Solid General Review.
  • Supplement Studying with ABSITE-Specific Practice Questions:
    • This Week in Surgery (TWIS) – Actually Put Effort into These 10 Questions Each Week, The Material is Generally High-Yield and Ignoring the Learning Points is a Wasted Opportunity
    • ABSITE Quest – Although the Questions are of Variable Quality, the Daily Question Assignment Keeps You Motivated and On-Task
  • Appreciate the Significance of ABSITE – Higher Opinions on ABSITE Significance Have Consistently Been Correlated with Improved Performance

Dedicated Study Period

  • The Essential Goal is Simple: As Many Practice Questions as Possible!
  • Start in November
  • Give at Least an Equal Focus to ABSITE as to Patient Care
  • Study in a Setting that Allows Adequate Focus and Attention (Coffee Shop, Library, or at the Hospital) – Kids Screaming in the Background or General Interruptions/Distractions at Home May Make Studying More Difficult
  • Review Material:
    • Primarily Focus on Recall and Practice Questions
    • Use Our “Review of Surgery” for High-Yield Rapid Review of Subjects to Supplement
    • Do Not Overly Focus on Textbooks or Even ABSITE-Specific Review Books During this Time
  • Question Banks:
    • Finish Two Separate Question Banks
      • TrueLearn is Our Favorite
      • SCORE and DeVirgilio are Also Solid for a Second Bank, We Recommend SCORE as an Intern/PGY-2 and DeVirgillio Later On
    • Finish the Study Period by Repeating All Missed Questions in Later January
    • Try to Complete at Least One 40-Question Set Daily – That is What is Required if You Want to Stay on Track
  • Listen to the Behind the Knife ABSITE Review Podcasts While Driving To-and-From Work

Specific Resources

ABSITE Resources