General Advice for Success on Oral Boards

Oral PM&R Boards can certainly be interesting, especially if undergone in a virtual setting! The exam can feel high-pressured and almost like an interrogation. The examiners are trained to give you no feedback, social cues, or meaningful facial expressions. It feels pretty lonely, which is normal. Everybody feels like they definitely failed, which is also normal!

Make sure that you have your internet connection solidified and reliable, and it's a good idea to sit close to your wi-fi router for the best signal if you possibly can while still maintaining a quiet, professional environment. Be prepared to turn your phone into a wireless hotspot in case your internet goes out, so that you're ready with backup internet. Dress with appropriate professional attire that you would wear to a job interview.

For the cases themselves, I think the best practice is two-fold: brush up on your ABPMR Part I Written Boards material, so that you can know the hard details of each disease process you encounter; in addition to that, review the practice Oral Boards cases that we have provided for you here. It is best to review each case 2-3 times. In all honesty, there are some good resources out there that offer packages of Oral Boards cases (sometimes they come at a hefty price). I think these available resources out there are helpful. All of our Oral Boards cases on this website contain the updated exam format and focus that was launched by the ABPMR in 2020. Another strategy that I recommend is practicing these cases, or even your own made up cases, with a partner, in a practice live exam format (if your “real” exam is virtual, practice virtually as well!).

Check out the ABPMR Part II Oral Boards official page and read about Domains A-E to see what the examiners are looking for when scoring each domain. They also have some good practice videos of mock cases. A few tips about the Domains: when stating your differential diagnosis, your workup, your history/exam, or your treatment, it's always a good idea to say why you are performing each action, as you can preemptively prevent examiners from asking you questions about those things. Always be prepared to state why you are doing something. Another tip is that Domain E can be a little scary (when the examiners role-play as the patient or a family member). This is a common Domain in which candidates struggle. The examiners (while role-playing) sometimes become aggressive and angry, and it's quite uncomfortable! Do not "take the bait" and fight or antagonize the patient/family member. Always ally yourself with the patient and talk them down to a less aggressive energy level. Always frame the discussion as "you and the patient vs. the problem" instead of "you vs. the patient/family member". It's always a good idea to make sure the patient exercises their autonomy and informed decision-making, and that they are the captain and you are their advisor. If you "make a mistake" in the case (e.g. you forgot to CC the PCP on your note), always own up to it, apologize, and move forward as a team with the patient. Always ask what other questions they might have today that you can help answer.

Good luck! With dedicated practice, you will do very well!

-Alex D’Angelo, M.D.