Let’s look at the format, content, and importance of the In-Training Exam (ITE), and how you can set yourself up for success!
Let’s Talk ITE
In a nutshell, the In-Training Exam (ITE) is a critical assessment tool for measuring the competencies of trainee physicians and ensuring they are on track to become competent and safe practitioners.
Format of the ITE: The ITE is a multiple-choice exam that typically lasts between 3 to 4 hours, depending on the specialty. The exam is computer-based and consists of between 200 to 300 questions, which are divided into various categories, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology.
The ITE tests trainees on their knowledge of the core competencies required for the practice of medicine, such as patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, and professionalism. The content of the ITE is based on the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) core competencies, which are used to guide medical education and training programs.
The Importance
The ITE is incredibly important for not only trainees, but also program directors, and residency programs to assess the progress of trainees. It creates a benchmark of your knowledge and helps you to track the progress you’ve made. However, you still want to try your best and score highly if you want to have a successful career as a physician. So how can you ace the ITE?
How to Succeed
- To ace the ITE exam will require careful preparation. To ensure you’re ready you should familiarize yourself with the format and style mentioned above. This will help you understand what to expect on the day you plan a study schedule accordingly.
- Secondly, you’ll need to study the core competencies and how they apply to the medical practice. Again, a great way to do this is by using practice exams. Practice exams are a useful tool which can help you gain a better insight into areas where you may need additional preparation.
- Work with others. Studying with a group of fellow trainees can be a great tool to help you understand and retain information significantly better. You can have discussions, review material, share study tips and offer up additional motivation and support. Studying with others is a great addition to your alone study time, as discussing topics can help you to put what you’ve read and learned into practice.
- Look after yourself. It’s only natural to feel some stress around exam time. However, you can find ways to manage your stress and stay focused. What works for you, may not work for someone else, so you may need to try a few things to find out what works. Try exercise, meditation, journalling or even taking time out to have fun. In addition to managing your stress, you should aim to get enough sleep. Avoid pulling all-nighters and aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Sleep is absolutely essential for your brain to recover and process the information you’ve learned.
By following these tips and developing a comprehensive preparation plan, you can maximize your chances of acing the ITE exam and achieving your goals as a trainee physician.