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Hi guys! I wanted to post some personal tips on the oral boards since I felt there just wasn’t a lot out there about the orals! I took it in September, and got the results today (pretty fast turn around!)
I was worried about the oral boards because it was a new test format and it was the very last step to becoming board-certified. It also has a higher fail rate than the written.
Lastly, I did not feel great AT ALL about how I did after taking the orals, and I still passed! So it goes to show that how you feel afterwards does not reflect on how you actually did.
**Also I’m selling my Pemberton book for $99, half off. PM me for details.
Here are the resources I used:
Things I did not use, but may be helpful:
In summary, I think Pemberton + Wills + one more review book is probably all you need +/- review course if you have any anxiety about doing the oral boards! I started studying 2 months prior to the test.
Hope that helps.
I was worried about the oral boards because it was a new test format and it was the very last step to becoming board-certified. It also has a higher fail rate than the written.
Lastly, I did not feel great AT ALL about how I did after taking the orals, and I still passed! So it goes to show that how you feel afterwards does not reflect on how you actually did.
**Also I’m selling my Pemberton book for $99, half off. PM me for details.
Here are the resources I used:
- Pemberton book. Use this as the guideline to prepare a script. It’s imperative to be able to go in recognize a picture immediately and have a plan. I prefer this format of listing the ddx prior to coming up with the plan over the reverse order that Ophtho questions use. I also recommend doing practice cases with a friend! 1 hr a week starting 1-2 months beforehand. My colleague used this, wills, and another review text and our practice sessions and passed!
- Wills Eye. Read through this at least 1x so you are familiar with common diagnoses and plans.
- Osler course. This is expensive, and takes vacation time, but for someone like me that was very anxious about the orals - I thought it was worth it! We had about 200 attendees (so pretty much HALF the class taking the orals will be here.) What I found most valuable was seeing new photos/cases in topics I was not as strong in, and that were not in my review books. They also show some video cases so you can learn that format. However, you should go in already knowing the typical format for your “script.” I probably would have done ok without the Osler course - but with it, it gave me a boost of confidence and more knowledge that I thought was helpful!
- Friedman review book. (Rented on Amazon! Great deal.) This was helpful in giving me more practice cases, but the format is very different from Pemberton. I would recommend using the same outline Pemberton gives and applying it to these cases.
Things I did not use, but may be helpful:
- Ophtho question videos. I discovered this too late in my prep, having already paid for Osler. From the videos available for preview, these seem like a helpful and cheaper alternative to the Osler course. I don’t think you need both Osler and this! Pick one, or none if you are very strong in knowledge. I also disagree with their focus to be to memorizing every script! That is a lot of time wasted - just know the outline and then study the topics.
- Luviano book and Osler case book. I didn’t use either of these.
- Denver mock oral. This is held weeks in advance. Would consider if one lives really close, or really needs help with brushing up oral presentation techniques.
In summary, I think Pemberton + Wills + one more review book is probably all you need +/- review course if you have any anxiety about doing the oral boards! I started studying 2 months prior to the test.
Hope that helps.