Ashish Goyal, M.D.

Author Archives: Ashish Goyal, M.D.

Need A Pediatric Board Study Plan?

Coming Up With a Study Plan is a MUST for The Pediatric Boards

Plan to Study… A LOT!A question I find myself being asked quite frequently is…

Can you give us some sort of a pediatric board study plan?” 

Having taken the boards twice, I know from experience what it takes to achieve a PASSING score. When I took the boards the passing score was a 410. I scored a 370 on my first attempt and a 540 on the second. Point being, I worked VERY hard to pass the second time and I've put all of my study techniques and insights into PBR. There's nothing like it on the market. The data that I've gathered thus far shows that the pass rate with PBR is > 90% for first-time test takers of the initial certification exam, and the PBR has a 100% pass rate for the ABP Maintenance of Certification (MOC or recertification) exam for several years in a row.

STUDY PLAN BY 4 GENERAL CATEGORIES

CHECK WHICH CATEGORY YOU FIT INTOIn order to mirror that type of success, though, you MUST know how much time you need to allocate to your study process. Then, you MUST  Click Here And Continue Reading...

Improving Pediatric Residency In-Training Exam Scores: Tip #4 – If it Ain’t Broke…

Tip #4 – If it Ain't Broke…

The Traditional Books versus the TabletImproving pediatric residency in-training exam scores can be challenging. In this PBR article, we look at “tech” and whether or not new “tech” is better than tried and true methods.

I’ve always been a huge advocate of embracing technology as it relates to medicine and accelerating learning. Especially when your time is almost nonexistent, like when you're in pediatric residency, the speed with which you can locate information is a valuable asset.

The growth and availability of e-books and online study materials have certainly expanded the number of resources available to medical students and residents. Traditional study materials, where a student spends vast amounts of time pouring over textbooks, are quickly being replaced by electronic and digital resources.

Pediatrics Board Review (PBR) has tried to embrace many of the advantages offered by technology, so both the PBR Core Study Guide and the PBR Question and Answer book have been made available for access on iPads, iPhones, and via your desktop computer.

The question is … Is this “E-time” well spent?

There’s a growing body of evidence that indicates that the brain absorbs information from transmitted light differently from information received from reflected light. The visual cortex processes Click Here And Continue Reading...

Improving In-Training Exam Scores: Tip #3 – Propinquity!

Tip #3 – Propinquity!

Propinqua-what? And what does that have to do with improving in-training exam scores?

The word is PROPINQUITY!

In a recent article titled, “Tips #1 & 2 – Start Early & Work Smart!” I talk about the direct correlation between residency in-training exam scores and the number of hospital admissions a resident does. I also discuss a study which shows that in-training exam scores do in fact act as indicators of a resident’s ability to pass the board certification exam.

In this article, I’ll talk about improving in-training exam scores by using propinquity. I was recently introduced to the idea of propinquity while reading Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, by Kerry Patterson. The book discusses strategies used by some of the most influential people around the world to influence change in all different aspects of life.

Webster defines propinquity as “nearness in place or time.” In the book, one of the sources of influence is the environment. The idea here is that that in many situations, you can effect change by modifying the environmental relationship of one variable with another. By altering the relationship of place or time between variables.

Now, let’s think of an example of how this concept might be utilized within pediatric residency programs to increase in-training exam scores.

Traditional Tracy and Propinquitous PennyMeet this set of twin sisters, Dr. Tracy Smith and Dr. Penny Smith. Both went to the same college. Both went to the same medical school. Both scored similarly on the MCAT as well as their USMLE Step exams. Their scores were never amazing, but they did well enough to pass. They’re both now pediatric residents, but Click Here And Continue Reading...

A Pediatric Board Forum by PBR – Join the PBR Facebook CREW!

WHAT IS THE PEDIATRICS BOARD REVIEW FACEBOOK CREW?

Facebook Notifications Setting - ALL POSTSIt's a pediatric board review forum, but it's through Facebook! Pediatrics Board Review has created a Facebook Page as well as a Facebook Group. There are two primary differences between these. The page can be liked by anyone and posts can be seen by anyone. PBR's Facebook Group is a forum area for the PBR community to get together and ask each other questions about the board exam, pediatrics, and the content in the PBR study guides. If you have an active PBR membership, you can join the CREW! All posts are strictly private and can only be seen by other PBR members of the group.

https://members.pediatricsboardreview.com/facebook

WHY WAS THE GROUP CREATED?

Failed Pediatric BoardsWE ARE TOO ISOLATED AND DEPRESSED!

Studying for the American Board of Pediatrics initial certification exam can be a daunting experience and can make a person EXTREMELY lonely. Especially for the many Click Here And Continue Reading...

Dr. Vincenzo Finally Passed the Pediatric Boards!

Being the author of the PBR and interacting with so many pediatricians is really a blessing, but it also comes some heartache. I tend to have much more interaction with pediatricians that have failed the initial certification exam prior to finding PBR. Responding to all of those emails can be tiring, and often it’s just downright depressing. People share their struggles with me openly, and it’s impossible not to get emotional and involved. I continue to do it for PBR members, though, because based on the results people have had, I know I can help.

BUT, along with the feelings of sadness associated with being PBR’s author, there are also those amazing and often surprising moments that make it all worth it. For example, after failing the peds initial board certification exam FOUR TIMES, Dr. Vincenzo decided to use PBR to study for the 2012 boards. On 12/11/2012 he heard some wonderful news, and when he shared it with me… It literally gave me goose bumps because it represents everything I want for pediatricians seeking board certification. “Efficiency In Studying So You Can Live Your Life.” 

Here’s what Dr. V had to say: Click Here And Continue Reading…

Pediatric Board Exam Results – Pediatrics Board Review (PBR)

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UPDATED ARTICLE AVAILABLE

New Pediatric Board Exam Results

Pediatric board exam results have varied over the years from the mid 70s to the high 80s due to changes in the ABP's scoring. Higher pass rates are achieved through planning and structure. For me, I am SO glad that I had this year's “results day” off. There was no warning at all; just BAM! It was such a roller coaster of emotions as the emails started pouring in that I’m sure I would not have been able to give my patients the attention they deserve.

FIRST, THE HIGHS OF THE DAY…

I was flooded with emails thanking me for creating PBR, and also for making myself so available this past year. For many, it was their first time taking the exam, I’m still collecting the numbers, but almost everyone passed if it was their first attempt.

I’d love to know you did so PLEASE submit your results HERE (should take less than 30 seconds): https://www.pediatricsboardreview.com/pediatrics-board-review-results-survey

For others, it was their first time PASSING the exam after MULTIPLE attempts. Given that a “failed peds board exam” email always triggers sadness as I'm reminded of my own first experience with the boards, I especially felt connected to these docs' emails.

Although the ABP has refused my request to release statistics on how likely it is for repeat test-takers to pass the initial certification exam, my guess is that the PASS RATE for physicians who have failed once is probably around 30-40%, and for those who have failed more than once the pass rate is likely 10-20%. Given these estimations, emails and testimonials like this one hold so much value for me:

“Dear Ashish,

I just wanted to let you know that I have passed my boards. I used your book and your questions and all your suggestions as well as peggy's method and it truly made a difference.  You should know that your resources are quite valuable and you should be proud of what you have created. 

I would totally hug you right now (don't mean to be inappropriate), just feel very grateful and happy 🙂

Be well,

Suresh”

Suresh had failed the peds boards 3x prior to finding PBR and PBR Coaching.

__________________________

Here’s another email:

“Put the test off because Click Here And Continue Reading...

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