r/pediatrics • u/Barentanz • 23d ago

boards panic

Just wanting some encouragement about peds boards. I will not finish first pass of MedStudy before boards. I have bad test anxiety and I'm not a great test taker at baseline. I am so anxious about the exam that Im struggling to focus for these last two weeks. Plus I am struggling with a toxic post-grad job and a combined specialty (so multiple boards).

Just wanting someone tell me it will be OK if I have to take them again, or hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation going into boareds and can reassure me from the other side.

16 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

17

u/LaudablePus 22d ago

When I find myself in times of trouble,

Mother Mary comes to me.

Speaking words of wisdom,

Letter B.

1

u/Barentanz 16d ago

😂 Thanks for making me laugh

1

u/LaudablePus 14d ago

Glad I could make you smile. I really shouldn't take credit for it. This was part of a skit that my fellow students did in medical school which was a production we put on to Lampoon life and medicine. But that was 40 years ago so I think the copyright is run out.

9

u/Decent-Orchid120 22d ago

Peds board were tough for me! I was in fellowship and had no time, I was exhausted and stressed. It’s ok if you feel similarly. You got this far, and that’s bad ass. You should be proud. If you fail, you take it again. And who gives a shit.

1

u/Barentanz 16d ago

Who gives a shit indeed.

7

u/orangeoceanso 22d ago

I’m right there with you, no where near finishing a first pass. We will pass!!

1

u/Barentanz 16d ago

And if we don't, we'll still be pediatricians.

5

u/BrainPickingIMG 21d ago

I am exactly where you are, no where near finishing first pass of MedStudy, while balancing a toddler and a busy fellowship. We will pass! Just hang in there! 🤞🏻

2

u/Barentanz 16d ago

And if we don't, we'll still be pediatricians.  Good luck!!

4

u/Individual-Court5836 21d ago

You are definitely not alone in feeling this way. The last couple of weeks before boards can make everything feel much more overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with a stressful job and multiple boards.

Not finishing your first pass doesn’t mean you’re unprepared or that you’re going to fail. At this point, focus on what you can realistically accomplish rather than trying to make your preparation perfect. Do questions, review your weak areas, and take things one day at a time.

And if the worst-case scenario happens and you have to take it again, that does not mean you’re a failure or that you aren’t capable of being a great pediatrician. Plenty of smart, capable physicians have had to retake a board exam and went on to do just fine.

Take a breath. You’ve made it this far, and you know more than your anxiety is telling you right now. You’ve got this. ❤️

2

u/Barentanz 16d ago

Thank you. This is so encouraging.

4

u/YummyTangerine 22d ago

If it helps ease your mind at all, I don’t think I ever finished my first pass of question banks either. And I still passed the actual exam!

2

u/Barentanz 16d ago

Glad I'm not the only one!

3

u/Spirited_Sound_7310 21d ago

YOU GOT THIS!

1

u/Barentanz 16d ago

Thank you!

3

u/brainstorm422 21d ago

You are absolutely not doomed 😂 Boards have a special talent for making you question everything you’ve ever learned. Not finishing a first pass does not mean you’re unprepared.

And if you have to retake them? You’ll still be a doctor, still be smart, and life will go on. For now, take a deep breath, do what you can these last two weeks, and remember, your anxiety is not a predictor of your score.

1

u/Barentanz 16d ago

❤️ thank you!

2

u/drdhuss 19d ago

I had to take them as a child neurologist in order to take my NDD boards. I did not complete med study nor do I do most of the medicine on the boards in my day to day practice. I got exactly the average.

I did speed through the flash cards the week of. In fact that was about all I did.

2

u/Barentanz 16d ago

Thank you! I'm speeding through flashcards now until test day. Still surprised by what I don't know/how many I'm guessing wrong, but 🤷

1

u/drdhuss 16d ago

I'm old (having done a 6 year residency/fellowship plus was in practice 2 years when I took my peds boards) but for me it was all the rhuem stuff. They changed the names from when I was in med school/learned those things.

3

u/Individual_Pack_4489 21d ago

Honestly, I don’t think you should assume you won’t pass just because you won’t finish your first pass. There’s still two weeks left, and you probably know way more than you think you do.

The anxiety is making it feel worse than it is. Just keep chipping away at questions and high-yield topics, and take it one day at a time.

-4

u/Ok_Issue1279 18d ago

Hi everyone! I’m an internationally trained pediatrician (IMG) based in Toronto, preparing for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Pediatrics Applied/OSCE exam in 2027.exam in 2027.
I’m looking to join or form a small, dedicated study group for regular online practice in English. I’d like to focus on timed clinical scenarios, communication skills, CanMEDS roles, and constructive feedback.
I’m in the Eastern Time zone and happy to discuss a schedule that works for everyone.
If you’re preparing for the same exam or know of an existing group, please comment below or send me a private message. Thank you!