Frequently Asked Questions About UBP Exams

The short answer is, “Now!” In order to maximize your chances of successfully passing the Applied Exam, you should begin your preparation earlier rather than later. Evidence suggests that learning and long-term retention (and exam performance) are vastly improved with a measured approach to preparation that involves shorter and more frequent periods of study over a longer period of time, rather than “cram session” type study periods occurring just prior to an exam. Therefore, we recommend you begin utilizing our preparation program as early in your exam year as possible in order to learn our strategies and techniques, identify any significant areas of weakness, and ensure adequate preparation time. We encourage you to look at the time you invest in preparing for this exam as more than “exam prep”. While your short-term goal is to achieve board certification, it is important to keep in mind that the gains you make in clinical knowledge, judgment, and communication will serve you far beyond your board exam date. So, while this process can be demanding, the fruits of your labor will be long-lived.

Like many questions posed to candidates during the Standardized Oral Examination (SOE), this question does not lend itself to a simple black and white “yes” or “no” answer. Most candidates have the knowledge base and communication skills to pass some questions from some examiners. You could be one of the fortunate souls that is questioned on a topic that you reviewed the previous night…or maybe the hotel had your examiner’s favorite cereal on the breakfast bar and he wants to spread the joy. This may have been the situation for those physicians who proudly report that they studied a mere 45 minutes for the Applied Exam and passed without a hitch. On the other hand, you should keep in mind that…..

1. No two board exams are the same.
   Questions and scenarios vary from easy to difficult. You may be asked to discuss an anesthetic for a procedure you have seen a million times or for one that you have only read about….once….your first year of residency. Likewise, no two examiners are the same. The examiner sitting across the table from you may feel his or her mission is to gently coax the pertinent information from the sweaty palmed, stammering, but “obviously trying very hard” candidate. Then again, he or she may think that the only candidates who should become board certified are those who can maintain their composure and communicate their anesthetic plan while under extreme duress (This type of examiner is likely prone to eye rolling, aggressive posturing, and an uncanny ability to make you feel as if every decision you are making is beyond stupid.) Since there is no way to know what sort of questions or examiners you will be facing, it makes sense to be prepared for the worst possible scenario.
2. The exam environment is very challenging.
   While the case management that occurs in the exam room can be complicated, it is the exam environment itself the presents the greatest challenge for most physicians. The primary issue is the speed at which you are expected to consider complex anesthetic decisions, weigh risks and benefits, and make a decision. When you add to this the virtual nature of the exam (e.g. you can’t see your patient, the operative field, or your monitors) and the need for clear communication between the examiners and the physician (most of us are much more comfortable with “doing” than “explaining”), many physicians make mistakes that they would not make in actual practice. Every year very competent anesthesiologists with a strong base of knowledge fail the Applied exam due to their inability to handle the exam environment.

The Bad News:
Preparing for the Applied Exam is a lot of work. It is particularly difficult to dedicate substantial amounts of time to preparation while working full time in a busy anesthesiology practice.

The Good News:
All the sacrifice pays off. The extra time and effort you invest in preparing for this exam will undoubtedly reduce your stress, increase your confidence, and greatly improve your chances of passing the exam. Moreover, the knowledge you gain and the skills you develop will serve to make you a better anesthesiologist. Remember, you will never be sorry for over-preparing. Under-preparing, however, can lead to significant regret.

Every candidate needs to practice verbalizing their knowledge. Many courses provide a forum for practice but, unfortunately, fail to improve your test-taking skills beyond that which would have occurred had you spent the same amount of time practicing at home.

First, it is important to understand that, while some physicians fail the exam because their knowledge base is insufficient, many fail because they have insufficiently developed their ability to access, organize, and communicate their knowledge in the extremely challenging and stressful environment of the Applied Exam. The difficulty arises from the speed with which candidates are expected to consider a very complicated anesthetic scenario, weigh all risks and benefits, and then organize and communicate their thoughts clearly and effectively to the examiner.

The ideal Applied Exam preparation course would address all of these issues. Unfortunately, most courses fail to improve your test-taking skills adequately for the exam, especially if you happen to face a difficult examiner wielding a complicated stem question. Even a candidate with an extremely strong fundamental knowledge base will fail if unable to communicate knowledge effectively in the high-speed, high-stress exam environment of the Applied exam.

Because our system of preparation works! I have been teaching the Ultimate Board Prep method of preparation to my residents since 2007 and our resident’s first-time oral board pass rate has been just above 98% since initiating the program.

When working with the UBP curriculum, you will be exposed to multiple mock oral exams addressing a multitude of difficult and controversial clinical scenarios covering all the high yield topics associated with the Standardized Oral Examination. At the same time, our curriculum, personal coaching, and practice exams will show you how to:

1. 1. access your knowledge quickly and efficiently (many people require a great deal of prompting to communicate their thoughts, which can be a significant problem when facing an impatient or aggressive examiner),
   2. organize your thoughts (which is extremely important due to the speed of the exam and the complexity of the clinical scenarios), and
   3. communicate your thoughts clearly and effectively. In short, you will learn how to deliver a substantial amount of relevant information, with clarity, and within a very short period of time, thus making an impression of competence and sound judgment during this important and subjective examination.

Our goal at The Ultimate Board Prep is to do more than simply provide a forum for practice. Our goal is to show you how to master the Applied Exam. We strive to prepare you to excel even when presented with the most challenging clinical scenario, and when facing the most difficult and unforgiving examiner. For this reason, our mock oral exams tend toward the more difficult end of the spectrum when compared to actual ABA board questions. Each of these mock exams includes a detailed clinical discussion, with emphasis on the management of the most difficult and challenging issues within the exam. At the same time, we show you how to utilize and apply the various strategies presented at the course to better communicate your knowledge and defend your anesthetic plan.

While our traditional program provides you with much of the basic knowledge and skill development required to successfully navigate the OSCE exam, we have developed a separate curriculum to specifically address all eight skills included in the most current version of the ABA’s OSCE Content Outline. Working with our curriculum will ensure you are prepared to demonstrate the proficiency required by the ABA as you navigate the OSCE seven-station circuit.

We know how important it is to you that you pass this examination. We also understand that the time you have available for preparation is often limited by practice constraints, family, and other obligations. And, we firmly believe that utilizing the UBP curriculum is the best way to maximize the investment of your time and effort. The Ultimate Board Prep is simply the most effective preparation course available for the Applied Exam.

The UBP Program offers seven (7) different ways to learn the techniques and develop the skills needed to master the Applied Exam:

1. The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation
   • The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation are designed to introduce you to our techniques and familiarize you with our approach to mastering the ABA Applied Exam. The concepts introduced in this section of our curriculum will serve as the foundation for further developing and refining your skills as you participate in the UBP Program.
2. The UBP Coaching Session with Dr. George
   • During this recorded group session Dr. George discusses the challenges presented by the ABA exam environment and the best approach to overcoming those challenges. Additionally, select questions from one of the mock exams in the case library are utilized to demonstrate common candidate mistakes and the application of the various UBP techniques and strategies that will improve your chances of success during the Applied Exam. Watching the Coaching Session will help you to:
     • Optimize your preparation
     • Identify areas of strength and weakness
     • Develop those skills most essential to a strong performance on exam day
     • Learn more here.
3. The UBP Case Library
   • The UBP Case Library is comprised of 48 different mock anesthesia oral board questions and 48 different “Additional Topic” questions designed to provide a review of the most relevant material while at the same time exposing you to some of the most challenging situations encountered in private practice and/or SOE exam rooms. Each Exam in the UBP Case Library includes answers formulated using the UBP Basic Strategy. The cases are constantly updated with the latest information and, thanks to our new digital format, you will receive the most recent updates in real time. Your registration also includes the UBP Case Library Companion, a spiral bound book designed to facilitate practice and provide you with a convenient place to take notes as you go.
4. The UBP Course Video Sets
   • The UBP Course Video Sets (A, B, and C) cover questions from the UBP Case Library. The recorded material is divided up into multiple modules for your convenience. Each mock exam includes a 60-90 minute discussion covering the exam thoroughly, with particular focus on judgment, adaptability, and the application of the mental organizational and communication skills introduced in The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation and the UBP Coaching Session. Access to your chosen UBP Course Video Sets is provided until the end of your test cycle.
5. UBP Private Online Exams
   • The private online exams offered by UBP are designed to maximize your invested time and effort as you prepare for the SOE component of the Applied Exam. The primary advantage of taking these exams is twofold:
     • The exam questions are designed to provide a review of the most relevant information; expose you to some of the most challenging clinical situations encountered during the SOE; and greatly improve your ability to organize your thoughts, weigh risks and benefits, and apply sound judgment.
     • Our examiners are trained to provide feedback and advice that is in keeping with our approach to the exam. This will serve to help develop and reinforce the skills and techniques introduced in The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation and the UBP Coaching Session.
6. The UBP OSCE Curriculum
   • The UBP OSCE Curriculum covers all eight skills included in the most current version of the ABA’s OSCE Content Outline. Working with our curriculum will ensure you are prepared to demonstrate the proficiency required by the ABA as you navigate the OSCE seven-station circuit.
7. OSCE Small Group Training Sessions
   • The OSCE Small Group Training Session is a 2-hour live online small group session (3-5 participants) that ensures that you make the most of your invested preparation time as you prepare for the OSCE portion of the Applied Exam. The session is strategically scheduled periodically throughout the year with ABA test weeks in mind.During the OSCE Small Group Training Session, Dr. Flanders works with you personally to:
     • Optimize your preparation
     • Identify areas of strength and weakness
     • Develop those skills most essential to a strong performance on exam day

During this recorded session Dr. George discusses exam preparation, the challenges presented by the exam environment, and the various strategies that should be employed to successfully pass the Applied Exam.

We believe that the way you practice has a significant impact on your ability to successfully pass the Applied Exam. Therefore, the UBP Coaching Session is designed to introduce you to our techniques and familiarize you with our approach to mastering the exam. Learn more here.

The UBP Case Library contains 48 different mock anesthesia oral board questions and 48 different “Additional Topic” questions designed to provide a review of the most relevant material while at the same time exposing you to some of the most challenging situations encountered in private practice and/or SOE exam rooms. Each Exam in the UBP Case library includes answers formulated using the UBP Basic Strategy. The cases are constantly updated with the latest information and, thanks to our new digital format, you will receive the most recent updates in real time.

Registration for one of our UBP preparation packages also includes access to The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation, The UBP Coaching Session with Dr. George, and The UBP Case Library Companion , a spiral bound book designed to facilitate practice and provide you with a convenient place to take notes as you go.

All questions included in the curriculum are written by Dr. George and are continually updated with the latest information. They are designed to cover the most relevant material, while at the same time, placing you in some of the most challenging situations encountered in private practice and/or the SOE exam room. Therefore, UBP questions tend to be on the more difficult end of the spectrum when compared to the actual ABA board questions (which vary widely in level of difficulty). This is based on our philosophy of preparing our physicians to excel even when presented with the most challenging clinical scenario by the most aggressive examiner.

The UBP Course Video sets (A, B, and C) cover questions from the UBP Case Library. The recorded material is divided up into multiple modules for your convenience. Each mock exam includes a 60-90 minute discussion covering the exam thoroughly, with particular focus on judgment, adaptability, and the application of the mental organizational and communication skills introduced in The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation and the UBP Coaching Session. Access to your chosen UBP Course Video set is provided until the end of your test cycle.

Each Course Video set covers a portion of the UBP Case Library.

• Video Set A: covers the first 16 mock exams and additional topics
• Video Set B: covers the next 16 mock exams and additional topics
• Video Set C: covers 12 of the remaining mock exams and 10 of the additional topics

You should definitely practice with friends and colleagues, and we encourage you to practice as much as possible with whomever you can find. However, the way you practice does matter. Therefore, the UBP Private Online Exams are designed to maximize your invested time and effort as you prepare for the Standardized Oral Exam (SOE). In order to familiarize yourself with our techniques and strategies, we recommend you review The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation and watch to The UBP Coaching Session (both are available with the purchase of any UBP preparation package).

The primary advantage of taking UBP Private Online Exams is twofold:

1. UBP Private Online Exams are designed to provide a review of the most relevant information; expose you to some of the most challenging clinical situations encountered during the SOE; and greatly improve your ability to organize your thoughts, weigh risks and benefits, and apply sound judgment.
2. Our examiners are trained to provide feedback and advice that is in keeping with our approach to the exam; this serves to help develop and reinforce the skills and techniques introduced throughout the UBP Curriculum.

When deciding how many exams you wish to take, you should consider your current communication skills and the level of preparation you wish to achieve. If you have failed the exam before, find it challenging to communicate your knowledge, and are not planning to register for a course, you should probably consider taking more exams (10-20). If your communication skills are very good, you have participated in one of our courses, and just wish to supplement and maximize your preparation, then 3-5 UBP Private Online Exams should be enough. The number of exams you can register for is only limited by examiner availability.

The UBP OSCE Curriculum covers all eight skills included in the most current version of the ABA’s OSCE Content Outline. The curriculum addresses each of the eight skills in a way that optimizes your learning and ability to successfully navigate the scenarios you may encounter during the exam. Topic overviews, pictures, videos, and mock scenarios are all utilized to ensure you are able to demonstrate the proficiency required by the ABA as you navigate the OSCE seven-station circuit.

The OSCE Small Group Training Session is a 2-hour live online small group session (3-5 participants) that ensures that you make the most of your invested preparation time as you prepare for the OSCE portion of the Applied Exam. The session is strategically scheduled periodically throughout the year with ABA test weeks in mind.

During the OSCE Small Group Training Session, Dr. Flanders works with you personally to:

• Optimize your preparation
• Identify areas of strength and weakness
• Develop those skills most essential to a strong performance on exam day

Easy! Just go to the registration page by clicking this link or give us a call at 316-776-9898 and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have and place your order for you. UBP offers 3 different levels of membership to aid you in your preparation:

Silver Plan:

• The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation (Learn more here).
• The UBP Coaching Session with Dr. George (Learn more here).
• The UBP Case Library (Learn more here).
• The UBP Case Library Companion(Learn more here).
• The UBP First-time Pass Guarantee (Learn more here).

Gold Plan:

• The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation (Learn more here).
• The UBP Coaching Session with Dr. George(Learn more here).
• The UBP Case Library(Learn more here).
• The UBP Case Library Companion (Learn more here).
• 1 Private Online Exam (Learn more here).
• Course Video Set A (Learn more here).
• The UBP First-time Pass Guarantee (Learn more here).

The Ultimate Package:

• The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation (Learn more here).
• The UBP Coaching Session with Dr. George(Learn more here).
• The UBP Case Library(Learn more here).
• The UBP Case Library Companion (Learn more here).
• 2 Private Online Exams (Learn more here).
• Course Video Set A (Learn more here).
• Course Video Set B (Learn more here).
• Course Video Set C (Learn more here).
• The UBP First-time Pass Guarantee (Learn more here).

The Ultimate Package provides you with the most comprehensive program of preparation for the Standardized Oral Examination (SOE) available. The package incorporates all of the Ultimate Board Prep’s learning modalities for the SOE into one incredibly effective program. Register for this comprehensive preparation program and you will save over $1,000 and be eligible for the UBP First-Time Pass Guarantee.

Registration for the Ultimate Package includes:

• The UBP First-Time Pass Guarantee.
  If you should fail the Standardized Oral Examination after purchasing the Ultimate Package, just provide us with a copy of your exam result and we will offer you free access to the corresponding UBP Course Video Sets and The UBP Case Library during your next test cycle.
• Registration for all three UBP Course Video Sets (A, B, and C)
  Each Course Video set covers a portion of the UBP Case Library.
  • Video Set A: covers the first 16 mock exams and additional topics.
  • Video Set B: covers the next 16 mock exams and additional topics.
  • Video Set C: covers 12 of the remaining mock exams and 10 of the additional topics.
• The UBP Case Library & the UBP Case Library Companion
  The UBP Case Library contains 48 different mock anesthesia oral board
  questions and 48 different “Additional Topic” questions designed to provide a review of the most relevant material while at the same time exposing you to some of the most challenging situations encountered in private practice and/or SOE exam rooms. Each Exam in the UBP Case library includes answers formulated using the UBP Basic Strategy. The cases are constantly updated with the latest information and, thanks to our new digital format, you will receive the most recent updates in real time.
  Your registration also includes the UBP Case Library Companion, a spiral bound book designed to facilitate practice and provide you with a convenient place to take notes as you go.
• Two (2) One-Hour UBP Private Online Exams
  These exams are administered by physicians trained to provide feedback and advice that is in keeping with UBP’s approach to the Standardized Oral Examination.
• Access to The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation
  The Core Concepts of Successful Preparation are designed to introduce you to our techniques and familiarize you with our approach to mastering the ABA Applied Exam. The concepts introduced in this section of our curriculum will serve as the foundation for further developing and refining your skills as you participate in the UBP Program.
• Access to The UBP Coaching Session with Dr. George
  During this recorded session, Dr. George discusses exam preparation, the challenges presented by the exam environment, and the various strategies that should be employed to successfully pass the Applied Exam.
• Study enhancement options:
  • The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Curriculum.
    • The UBP OSCE Curriculum covers all eight skills included in the most current version of the ABA’s OSCE Content Outline. Working with our curriculum will ensure you are prepared to demonstrate the proficiency required by the ABA as you navigate the OSCE seven-station circuit
  • OSCE Small Group Training Sessions.
    • During these 2-hour live sessions, Dr. Samuel Flanders works personally with group participants to prepare them for the unique aspects of the OSCE Exam.

We are very confident that those who appropriately utilize the various learning modalities offered by UBP will develop all the necessary skills to not only pass but excel during the Applied Exam. To demonstrate this confidence and show our investment in your success, we have decided to offer The UBP First-Time Pass Guarantee to all those who register for one of our preparation packages.

OSCE Curriculum:

If you should fail the OSCE exam after purchasing the UBP OSCE Curriculum, just provide us with a copy of your exam result and we will maintain your access to the curriculum during your next test cycle.

Silver Plan:

If you should fail the Standard Oral Examination component of the Applied Exam after purchasing the Silver Plan, just provide us with a copy of your exam result and we will maintain your access to the Core Concepts of Successful Preparation and The UBP Case Library during your next test cycle.

Gold Plan:

If you should fail the Standard Oral Examination component of the Applied Exam after purchasing the Gold Plan, just provide us with a copy of your exam result and we will maintain your access to the Core Concepts of Successful Preparation, The UBP Case Library, and the Course Video Set A during your next test cycle.

The Ultimate Package:

If you should fail the Standard Oral Examination component of the Applied Exam after purchasing the Ultimate Package, just provide us with a copy of your exam result and we will maintain your access to the Core Concepts of Successful Preparation, The UBP Case Library, and the Course Video Sets A, B, and C during your next test cycle.

The morning of the exam you will get out of bed, guzzle half a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, consider skimming The UBP Case Library one more time, put on your sharpest outfit, and proceed to registration for one of the most difficult tests you will ever take (your registration time will depend on whether you are enrolled in the morning or afternoon session). Following registration, you will check in at the ABA Assessment Center, place your possessions in an assigned locker and, depending on your group assignment, proceed to either the SOE orientation room or the OSCE orientation room. During orientation you will watch a video that reviews the entire exam process. The rest of this section describes the process for groups that start with the SOE portion of the exam (Groups A and C). For Groups B and D, the process is similar except that the OSCE exam is taken first.

While still in the SOE orientation room, you will receive your case stem for the first examination session. For the first case, you will be provided all the preoperative information necessary to start the case and will have 10 minutes to outline and prepare for the exam. With the start of the examination, the first examiner spends 10 minutes asking questions concerning intra-operative management. The second examiner then follows with 15 minutes of questioning focused on the patient’s post-operative care. Finally, the first examiner gets another shot at you for the remaining 10 minutes of the exam, testing you on additional topics unrelated to the original case. There are computer monitors in the exam room that enable the examiners to provide you with images and videos during your exam. This completes the first session and the examinee is ushered out of the exam room and back to the orientation room where he or she is handed the stem question for the second case.

Following the first SOE session, the candidate will return to the SOE orientation room where another 10 minutes will be afforded to review the stem question for the second session, which begins with the pre-operative evaluation and continues through the intra-operative period. The stem for the second session contains much less information than that which was provided for the first session; it is left to the examinee to determine what additional information is required to manage the patient safely. The first examiner has 10 minutes to question the candidate about pre-operative assessment. The second examiner is then allotted 15 minutes for questions concerning intra-operative care. And, as in the first session, the final 10 minutes is given to questions focused on additional topics, which are unrelated to the provided stem.

Following the second SOE session, you will be given a short 10-minute break before receiving the OSCE orientation. The OSCE exam requires candidates to move through a seven-station circuit of “encounters” that are designed to assess 7 of the 8 skills included in the OSCE Content Outline. The OSCE exam takes 84 minutes to complete, with 8 minutes allocated to each station and 4-minute breaks in between “encounters”.

Following the completion of the Applied Exam, you will return home to wait an agonizing 2 weeks to receive your results (with the clock starting at the end of your exam week), which will be posted in your online portal account (you will also be notified by email).

Following the second SOE session, you will be given a short 10 minute break before receiving the OSCE orientation. The OSCE exam requires candidates to move through a seven-station circuit of “encounters” that are designed to assess 7 of the 8 skills included in the OSCE Content Outline (make “OSCE Content Outline” a link to a page with the outline). The OSCE exam takes 84 minutes to complete, with 8 minutes allocated to each station and 4-minute breaks in between “encounters”.

Following the completion of the Applied Exam, you will return home to wait an agonizing 2 weeks to receive your results (with the clock starting at the end of your exam week), which will be posted in your online portal account (you will also be notified by email).

For the unprepared candidate, this can be an exhausting and demoralizing event. The candidate leaves the first SOE room wondering if it would be less painful to just keep walking right out the front door of the hotel. In this discouraged state of mind the second SOE room is no better, and the candidate leaves fervently praying that the examiners will get him or her mixed up with someone else and post a passing score. Worst of all, the trip home is spent wondering if the whole process may have to be repeated the next year.

For candidates who have prepared properly (with ample practice based on the strategies learned while utilizing the Ultimate Board Prep material), the oral boards can be a much different experience. The exam proceeds smoothly with each answered question serving to build the candidate’s confidence and, more importantly, the examiner’s confidence that the candidate deserves certification. And, unlike the unprepared candidate, the trip home is spent in a giddy euphoric state where the sky is bluer, the air is purer, and the anesthesia oral boards are behind you forever.

We sincerely hope that you will never need to know what happens if you fail the exam. However, should this unfortunate event occur, you may want to know what comes next. We will skip describing the emotional, professional, and financial implications and focus on the ABA’s time requirements for achieving board certification.

If you fail, you may schedule another attempt the next exam year. The ABA requires all physicians who completed their residency prior to January 1, 2012 to satisfy all requirements for board certification by December 31, 2018. Those who complete residency after January 1, 2012 must satisfy all requirements for certification within 7 years of the last day of the year in which residency training was completed.

If a candidate does not satisfy all the requirements for certification within the 7-year period described above, the ABA will declare the candidate’s registration void. At this point, the physician must reestablish eligibility for certification by taking and passing the BASIC Examination. Once eligibility has been reestablished, the candidate will have until December 31st of the fourth year following the successful completion of the BASIC examination to satisfy all additional requirements for certification, including the successful completion of the ADVANCED and APPLIED Examinations.

There is a small silver lining around these dark clouds. If you pass one component of the Applied Exam and fail the other, you will only be required to retake the component you failed.

We respectfully ask that our clients not share their account (please refer to and our terms and conditions for details). While we make every attempt to enforce this policy through various technological means, we much prefer to appeal to our client’s honesty and integrity.

Cancellations of scheduled live teaching sessions (e.g. private exams and OSCE sessions) do inevitably occur. Both our examiners and our clients are busy physicians who are called in to work emergently at times. However, cancellations are disruptive to the often tight schedules of both groups. Therefore, UBP has developed a cancellation policy that has the goal of ensuring excellent service to our clients while at the same time protecting our examiners from excessive cancellations.

The UBP Online Exam Cancellation Policy is as follows:

Any cancellation by a client within 24 hours of the scheduled session will result in the forfeiture of that session. While we believe the cancellation policy is important to protect our clients and our examiners, we have found both parties to be very respectful of the value of the other group’s time and, despite the administration of thousands of schedule live sessions, we have rarely found it necessary to enforce the cancellation policy.