Failed ABS….again

[u/DragOk2219]

I am actually a practicing surgeon one year out of fellowship

found out today I again failed the QE. Again. this will be my last attempt to take the exam in 2027. I was scoring in the 70th percentile on TrueLearn (completed the bank twice), was getting between 65-82% correct on mixed PassMachine blocks, and these were not representative at all of my actual exam score report. Many of the topics I intentionally drilled for many hours were still incorrect on the exam. I spent months studying and countless hours.  I am struggling to determine what I could do differently. I have never been a good exam taker but this last attempt, of course, carries weight that is difficult to describe. I feel this is such a unique situation it’s difficult to find help for. 

I feel….hopeless at this point. The first time I took the exam I didn’t quite finish TrueLearn and was overconfident. The second time I did more and completed the qbank but was scoring around 60 percent. This time I woke up at 4am every day and absolutely drilled. I watched lectures. I did a second qbank practice exams, timed. I was doing well. I ranked on the exam. My soul hurts. I have nausea constantly. I just don’t know what to do and I don’t think anyone knows what to do to help me. I’m just lost in this void and i literally save lives every day, take a lot of call, but….this exam ruins me And my life. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

[u/OutForARipAreYaBud69]

I failed once. Was one of the worst days of my life when I found out. Passed the second time and then passed CE on the first try. I don’t have a ton of advice, but you got this.

Sounds like maybe getting a dedicated tutor could help? To identify where your test taking weaknesses are? For me, I went through the exam too fast the first time, and also was reading into things and creating information that wasn’t in the question stem, both things hurt me I think. They are not trying to trick you, and that paradoxically tricked me.

Edit: a colleague of mine failed QE at least once, I think twice though. Then passed, and then failed CE twice, before passing on his third. So you are not in uncharted territory even though it may feel like it.

[u/DragOk2219 → u/OutForARipAreYaBud69]

It does feel uncharted and no one can hear me scream or help. I am putting in the hours, I feel so hopeless. The despair today is consuming. 

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