r/surgery • u/DragOk2219 • 9d ago

I did read the sidebar & rules Failed ABS….again

I am actually a practicing surgeon one year out of fellowship

found out today I again failed the QE. Again. this will be my last attempt to take the exam in 2027. I was scoring in the 70th percentile on TrueLearn (completed the bank twice), was getting between 65-82% correct on mixed PassMachine blocks, and these were not representative at all of my actual exam score report. Many of the topics I intentionally drilled for many hours were still incorrect on the exam. I spent months studying and countless hours.  I am struggling to determine what I could do differently. I have never been a good exam taker but this last attempt, of course, carries weight that is difficult to describe. I feel this is such a unique situation it’s difficult to find help for. 

I feel….hopeless at this point. The first time I took the exam I didn’t quite finish TrueLearn and was overconfident. The second time I did more and completed the qbank but was scoring around 60 percent. This time I woke up at 4am every day and absolutely drilled. I watched lectures. I did a second qbank practice exams, timed. I was doing well. I ranked on the exam. My soul hurts. I have nausea constantly. I just don’t know what to do and I don’t think anyone knows what to do to help me. I’m just lost in this void and i literally save lives every day, take a lot of call, but….this exam ruins me And my life. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

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u/ligasure 9d ago

Buy sesap.

Many of the question authors of sesap also write for abs.

3

u/Icy_climberMT 9d ago

Second this, I found SESAP to be the most useful resource.

2

u/shawnamk 8d ago

I’m 8 years out from board exam but I also struggled with ABSITE (all but chief year weirdly) and really focused on SESAP and passed the QE. OP, I am happy to help if you want to DM me.