While the GI board exam does have a fairly high pass rate (96% in 2021), this is not an exam you should overlook. How can you best prepare to pass the Gastroenterology boards?
Advice for the GI Board Exam
Make sure to read the lead line, especially of the longer questions. Know what they’re asking before you read the entire question stem.
When presented with an image, look at the image and note any gut reactions before reading the question. In our question banks, this is actually proven to improve performance and also reduce the amount of time per question.
According to the ABIM, 75% of the questions are based on patient presentations occurring in settings that reflect current medical practice. In other words, you need to know how to APPLY the knowledge, not just regurgitate facts. This is why Gastroenterology question review sources are particularly valuable – you have to look at how to apply the concept to a scenario instead of spitting back out what you already know.
Content Tips for the GI Board Exam
Hepatology is far more prevalent on the Gastroenterology boards now than in recent years. It now accounts for 25% of the exam. Pay attention to liver diseases, especially Cirrhosis. The colon is now 18% of the exam, and Stomach and Duodenum is 15%. Following the GI content outline by percentage is very helpful.
Specific items to pay attention to:
- Pregnancy: It may have to do with how the boards are constructed, but it definitely seemed like the pregnancy category was way over-represented.
- Hereditary Colorectal Cancers: Our question bank covers this aspect because it’s so often overlooked in general prep courses.
- Epidemiology: A good review of statistics will go far. You’ll need to know basic correlation principles, sample bias, and confidence intervals.
- Viral Hepatitis: Know about acute treatment of liver failure as well as potential combination therapies and sensitivities. This is another one where statistics plays a factor – know the prevalence of hepatitis conditions, as well as the prevalence of cancers related to viral hepatitis (B and C).
How to Prepare for the GI Boards
When it comes to studying, practice makes perfect! There is a strong correlation between the number of practice GI test questions you work on and performance on the exam. By taking practice questions, you will be able to identify problem areas and understand where to focus as you study.
The BoardVitals Gastroenterology Question Bank contains more than 750 high-yield GI test questions. All questions include a detailed explanation for correct and incorrect responses. Sign up for a free trial today!
