Tag Archive for: practice tests

Get Ready to Crush the PRITE

PRITE exam

The date range for taking the PRITE is quickly approaching. Each year from September 24th to October 15th, residents around the U.S. sit down for the 8.5 hour exam. This year, the PRITE has 300 questions (access to pdf breakdown of topics with annotations here).

Residents need to know a foundation of Neuroscience and Neurology, Clinical Psychiatry, and Diagnostic Procedures to be ready for this exam. It may be tempting to try studying off old PRITE exams, but we have a whole blog entry on exactly why not to do this (check it out if you’re curious!) Instead, take a peep into some question banks that are made for the sole purpose of helping you reach at least that 70% passing mark (and let’s be real…you’re going to far surpass it!).

Taking the PRITE may not lead to as much anxiety or stress as this is an exam a resident will take 3 or 4 times throughout their medical education career. But even if it’s something you’ve done 1 or 2 or even 3 times before, it’s still important to properly prepare for it. The ease that you pass this exam is a good indicator for how well prepared you are to launch into your medical career after graduation!

Even though the countdown is on, there’s still time to add in a little extra studying. Want some help? My Psych Board is here for you! Check out our PRITE question bank, even just to give the FREE TRIAL a try. If you want more focused help, reach out to talk to someone about our tutoring services. We know you’re going to crush your exam!

Unveiling the Strengths of the My Psych Board ABPN Bank

stage curtain set to unveil

Preparing for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Certification Examination requires a comprehensive and strategic approach. As the landscape of medical education evolves, so does the need for efficient and
targeted study resources. Among the plethora of options available, we emerge as a beacon of excellence, offering a question bank that stands out for its exceptional strengths. Let’s delve into what strengths makes “My Psych Board” the best ABPN question bank and an indispensable tool for success.

Tailored Precision

T

One of the standout strengths of “My Psych Board” is its precise tailoring of question banks to match the nuances of various board exams. Whether it’s the ABPN Certification Examination, PRITE Examination, USMLE – Psychiatry and Neurology categories, or Nurse Practitioner Examination, “My Psych Board” offers question banks uniquely designed to mirror the difficulty and types of questions expected for each exam. This tailored precision ensures that users receive targeted
preparation, focusing on the exact content and format they will face on exam day.

Current and Relevant Content

Staying current with the latest medical knowledge is paramount. “My Psych Board” addresses this need with continuous updates to its question banks. The platform’s commitment to adding new questions ensures that users have access to the most up-to-date information, aligning their preparation with the rapidly evolving field of psychiatry and neurology. This commitment to relevancy sets “My Psych Board” apart, ensuring that users are equipped with the latest insights and
knowledge to excel in their exams.

Expert Crafted Explanations

Every question answered is a learning opportunity. “My Psych Board” elevates the learning experience with its in-depth explanations accompanying both correct and incorrect answer options. This feature serves as a dynamic educational tool, offering not just answers, but a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. The strength of these expert-crafted explanations lies in their ability to transform mistakes into stepping stones for improvement, making the study journey
more effective and engaging.

Personalized Learning Journey

Recognizing that every learner is unique, “My Psych Board” embraces a personalized approach. The platform offers users the chance to engage with Dr. Abdel, the founder and CEO of “My Psych Board,” through a one-time phone call to discuss their optimal study strategies. This one-on-one interaction provides a level of personal guidance that sets the platform apart, tailoring study methods to individual strengths and preferences. Also, gain access to discussing the exam, questions, and other related topics with Dr. Abdel as well as other users on our WhatsApp group platform!

Diverse Learning Resources

A comprehensive study experience encompasses various learning resources. “My Psych Board” enriches its offerings by providing access to video clinical vignettes covering over 20 topics. This multimodal approach engages visual and auditory learning senses, enhancing understanding and retention of key concepts. This diversity of resources contributes to a holistic learning experience that caters to a range of learning styles.

User-Centric Approach

The strength of any educational platform is reflected in its responsiveness to user needs. “My Psych Board” thrives on its user-centric approach, valuing user feedback and consistently striving to enhance the user experience. This dedication to improvement ensures that the platform evolves in ways that directly benefit its users, creating a dynamic and adaptable study environment.

In a landscape where effective study resources are crucial, “My Psych Board” shines as the best ABPN question bank, fortified by its tailored precision, current and relevant content, expert-crafted explanations, personalized learning journey, diverse learning resources, and user-centric approach. As medical education advances, “My Psych Board” stands strong as a dependable companion on the journey toward ABPN board exam success, providing not only answers but the keys to comprehensive understanding.

Ready to check out our Question Banks? If not, Contact us for more information!

Controversial opinions: medication vs. talk therapy

pharmacal therapy vs. psychotherapy

In the world of psychiatry, it’s common to come across differing opinions on the best way to manage various disorders. Some clinicians prefer combination therapy, some support pure psychotherapy, while others trial pharmaceuticals prior to engaging in talk therapy. With multiple avenues available, what’s the best approach?

We took a look at a review of 102 meta-analyses of how professionals across the country handle different categories of disorders and their resulting efficacy. And guess what?

There’s no one size fits all! That’s right. This review that looked through 3,782 RCTs and 650,514 patients (all adult) found small benefits for both pharamcotherapies and psychotherapies (SMD=0.35). In their break down, the authors show that clinicians across the field generally favor a combination of both interventions to address conditions such as depression, social anxiety, OCD, and PTSD when compared to monotherapy. However, there are still notable benefits for each condition when using monotherapy! So…what’s the take away?

When considering treatment options for your patient, you need to consider their individual case. Some patients are fine with monotherapy, whether that is psycho or pharma, and some require a little of both. It’s your job as the professional in the field to assess which way is best for them. And so long as you do your due diligence, the data suggests one way over the other isn’t necessarily “better” (so, so there therapeutic purists!)

Making judgement calls can be tricky. A great way to get more comfortable is to practice! Learn more about treatment options and give your assessment skills a work out by going through our Diagnostic Procedures and Psychopharmacology topics. Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can help you prep in the best way for you

REFERENCE:

Leichsenring, F., Steinert, C., Rabung, S., & Ioannidis, J. P. (2022). The efficacy of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for mental disorders in adults: an umbrella review and meta‐analytic evaluation of recent meta‐analyses. World Psychiatry21(1), 133-145.

How Many Ways Are There to Prep for Tests?

test prep like a tortoise

Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to getting information into their noggin’. Test prep can take many shapes and forms, and what works for one person might not work for another.

Prepping for a board exam can be incredibly stressful. The weight of your career decisions rests on the outcome! (No pressure, right?) To cope with this stress, test prepping can manifest as several different approaches: the WINGER, the PROCRASTINATOR (aka, CRAMMER), and the TORTOISE.

The Winger

The Winger is the person that lets go of the immediate stress the exam is putting on them, and puts it out of their mind. They know it’s coming up, but they have confidence in the amount of information they have stored in their brains. The have an uncanny ability to refresh the knowledge and consolidate retrieval just by existing….or so they think. These test takers waltz into their exams and take a gamble that they will have all the answers (or at least enough to pass!). Depending on the type of test you’re going to take, being a Winger can work OK. Think 100 level undergrad classes. ABPN, PRITE, NP, or USMLE? This might not be the best approach.

The Procrastinator

The Procrastinator (aka, Crammer) is similar to the Winger. They also put off prepping for as long as possible. But while the Winger tends to follow through on their approach, the Procrastinator usually gets MORE stressed by avoiding it, and ends up cramming as much studying in as possible in the last day or so leading up to the exam. Cramming can be beneficial when compared to not prepping at all, and for some individuals, cramming is their sole means of test prep. Can it work? Probably. Is it great for your mental health? Not really.

The Tortoise

Lastly, we have the Tortoise. This name harkens back to Aesop’s Fables, as it should, because this test prepper takes the slow and steady approach. Plunking along, little by little every day, this prepper integrates new bits of information into their mental arsenal. They challenge the knowledge they already have to increase retrieval. The process starts closer to a few months ahead of time, as opposed to overwhelming themselves with whole textbooks 48 hours before their next exam. Instead, they have time to relax and take in some self-care in the days leading up to the exam so that they are refreshed and ready to go.

Is any one of these approaches superior? Research would suggest there is favorable option- we’ll let you decide which one you think it is 😉 In the meantime, if you’ve been relying on being a Winger or a Crammer up to this point, let this blog be your sign to give the Turtle Club (yes, that’s an early 2000’s movie reference) a chance. Give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can help you prep in the best way for you.

Make Your Residency Application POP

hands filling out residency application on computer, smart phone, and paper

Matching a residency program is a stressful and time consuming process. Everyone that applies for a medical license has to undergo at least one year of residency in their medical specialty. And with about 40,000 applicants swarming the 35,000 open positions each year, the competition can be intense.

What’s more, the process can take upward of a YEAR to complete. Sound overwhelming? You’re not alone. We’ve compiled some information here to help you get organized and ready to match with your dream residency in 2024. Because, yes although Matching Day is right around the corner and the process is done for one cohort of students, it’s not too soon for you seniors to start thinking about next year!

Matching Timeline

First off, most people want to know exactly what timeframe they’re working with. Based on the current matching year (calendar from NMRP found here!), the process begins with registration opening in mid-September the year prior. So it makes sense to think, “Ok, that’s when I start applying!” and you wouldn’t be -totally- wrong. This blog post from matcharesident.com has a really great breakdown of when and how to start your application process.

You should really start about 3 to 4 months before registration even opens. This is because you want to take the time to research your programs of choice. You have to apply for and buy your ERAS token through ECFMG. Make sure you’ve taken and gotten your results back from the USMLE Step 2, CK (need a practice question bank? We know a guy 😉

Application Process

Next, you need to actually fill out your application. This can take as long as you need. Just BE SURE NOT TO CERTIFY your application until you are 100% finished with it, have proof read it 20 times, and have made sure it is completely and totally filled in. Ok, maybe not 20 times. You do you, boo.

You need to gather letters of recommendation and write personal statements (one statement for each specialty if you have more than one!). You need to request your USMLE transcript, your medical school transcript, and MSPE. Finally, once you have all your documents and letters uploaded, you’ve got a cute professional picture, and all your applications clean and shiny, you can start submitting them to programs. Lots and lots and lots of programs.

What makes your application special?

What we all want to know: what makes us stand out in a crowd? In this case, it’s a blend of extracurricular activity that aligns with your specialty interests along with an attitude to match. You need to have built a portfolio of volunteer basis work that shows your interest in helping others. But if you have a long list of volunteer work that has no apparent connection to wanting to be a physician or psychiatrist, the committees may see it as someone who doesn’t know what they want to do. It’s all about balance

Another aspect that can make or break an application process is your impression. Going into an interview with a positive, helpful, and caring attitude can be really difficult when you’re sweating bullets and terrified of messing up your opportunity. Be authentic, be open, and let your optimistic little light shine!

And then you wait

Yes. That is the unfortunate truth. You fill out miles of applications and pull together all the documents you need. Then you go sit for interviews (and send Thank You notes afterwards!). And then you rank the programs. Then you wait. Matching is released mid- March (the third Friday) and you will be notified either via email or R3 system.

We want the best match possible for you. We want to see you succeed in your specialty. Give yourself time, start thinking about programs now, and let us help you build your academic experience to be ready to apply. You’ve got this!

Preparing for your Board Exams: How to make the MOST of your time!

Life can be incredibly hectic AND it can be seemingly impossible to fit in studying for your Board Exams but with the right planning & priorities, anything is possible.

Think of it in straightforward terms…Each day we’re 86,400 seconds the same as before, and the same as the subsequent day. But as you add tasks, activities, and other daily necessities that number shrinks and it can feel like there’s no time left to study or even eat (oof).

“So what do I do?!” you may question.

Well, it’s simple, zoom out and take a glance at your days and weeks ahead. What do you have planned that’s truly paramount? Well, we know at base level eating and studying are essential, one you need to live, and the other you need to pass your Board Exams.

What else is paramount & essential?

  • Is it taking the proper amount of time or is it a waste?
  • Can you be doing some of the essential tasks together OR around the same time so you make the most of your downtime? 
  • What’s NOT paramount? (That’s the most important question you need to ask yourself.)

Your time comes down to prioritizing your days. While at first sitting down and laying it all out can seem like just another task added to your already packed day but if you sit and plan it once, you’re going to end up being less stressed when it comes down to it. Then, when you’re studying and feeling stressed change your mindset!

*REMEMBER: As you study and go through each question remember that for every second spent studying you are one step closer to being fully prepared AND one step closer to passing your Board Exams.

So the takeaway?

Prioritize your days & get your mind right! Plan plan plan… create a plan, and attack it! Next thing you know you’ll be in the groove and ready to pass your Board Exams with ease, and hey, we’re here every step of the way to help YOU!

Ready to dive in? Utilize our expert-curated Question Banks and maximize your studying today! 

Need more guidance? 

Contact us today! We’ll help YOU pass your Boards with ease!

Introducing: Observership Programs powered by My Psych Board

I bet you didn’t know we offered Observership programs right here at My Psych Board!

Yes, that’s right… we are your one-stop-shop place for all your studying needs, prep, and learning (and that’s not going to change)… We’re much more than your average Board Exam prep Q-Banks. But wait, we have much more to offer you. 

We can help get YOU into an Observership program which is an essential part of your career journey.

So what is an Observership & Why do residents need this?

Imagine an Observership as a Medical Internship that can be done both in person and via Telehealth to give residents practical, hands-on experience.

As part of this experience, you will be required to watch and listen to patient histories, physical examinations, procedures, surgeries, outpatient appointments, teaching rounds, and educational conferences. The entire experience is generally longer than a day, but no longer than 4 weeks!

The importance of this can not be overlooked. 

Most students will need to cover Observership hours to complete their residency.

Now of course this may not be required in your field so if you’re unsure if you need this (or just want to be safe) just send us a DM via our Instagram (@MyPsychBoard), Email, or drop us a call so we can point YOU in the right direction.

Ready to get started? Contact us today! We can’t wait to travel with you along your journey to passing your Psychiatric Board Exams!

Our Top Tips: How to Survive Your Psychiatric Residency!

Our Top Tips - How to Survive Your Psychiatric Residency!

Ok, hear us out for a minute…⁠ Surviving your residency is easier than you think.⁠ ⁠ 

YES, of course, that’s a loaded statement… NO, we aren’t saying it’s not incredibly challenging (because it is…) but we promise you’re overthinking it. You CAN do this. You may have heard horror stories or that it was the worst moment of someone’s life but let’s be real. 

It shouldn’t be.⁠

 Thousands before you have done it and thousands after you will do it too.

How you handle it makes all the difference in what you’ll get out of your residency.⁠ Here are 5 TIPS on how to survive:

#1 HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET…

Before you begin anything, you should always go in with the correct mindset. If you think things are going to be horrible…then they will be! But if you go in understanding that there will be both highs and lows, you’ll be better prepared to face them.

#2 HAVE A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM…

This goes with most things in life. The company you keep will help get you through hard moments. That’s what friends are for. But this support system should also be those around you too! Other residents know what you’re going through, so be sure to include them. It helps so much! ⁠

#3 DON’T NEGLECT YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH…

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: Take care of your mind AND body! Don’t bottle things up, talk to your support system, and get further help if you need it. It’s a challenging time. Outside of this, being active works WONDERS. Your body will thank you.

#4 IT’S OK TO SAY “I DON’T KNOW” (DO IT MORE!)…

You don’t know everything (that’s why you’re here). Don’t be a “know it all”, it can come back to hurt you. If you’re asked something and you’re really unsure, say that! Saying I don’t know will help you get the answers you need. Don’t feel silly. You’re learning!

#5 IT GETS BETTER…

It will get better!!! The start can be overwhelming and a lot to take in, but use that support system. Once you get in the groove, you’ll start to feel much more relaxed. Give it time. It’s long, draining, and emotional but there are perks. They may not last long but the amount of information and experiences you’ll take away from it, in the end, is all worth it. 

You got this, you can survive… you can thrive! ⁠

Still, feeling overwhelmed?

Contact us and let’s talk through it together.

Getting the facts straight: Truth and LIES about the USMLE Exam

When preparing for the USMLE Exam it’s important to get the facts right.

Getting the facts straight: Truth and LIES about the USMLE Exam

First, Let’s sort out the USMLE LIES…

The more you put off your test and study, the better your score is going to be.

Studies show that cramming can actually be hurtful. Med school is a full-time job and you need to manage your time wisely. You should study alongside your course work AND practice practice practice… But if you take too long and say you’re not ready, you may lose info that you focused on months or weeks back.

Using as many resources as you can leads to a better score.

This will just flood your brain with info. The most ideal way to study is by using practice question banks that imitate real-life tests. While everyone had various study methods, research shows that the Practice Q-Banks hold higher retention than lectures or reading combined.

Practice Question Banks are all the same!

NOPE. You want to ensure you’re not just getting the information correct but that it matches the real-life test. Many question banks are NOT formatted properly and will only just feed you endless information… Thankfully, our USMLE question bank is formatted to get the most out of your learning experience. Studies have proven members who use formatted practice q-banks have a much higher score/pass rate.

NOW, Let’s get the TRUTH right so you can pass your USMLE With Ease!

The more practice questions you study with, the higher your USMLE Score will be.

As we covered before about the Pract. Q-Banks, you want to ensure you’re studying with resources that will benefit you. They say practice makes perfect and this is 100% true!

There is no “one perfect way” to prepare for the USMLE Exam.

Find a study plan and create one that works for YOU. Everyone is different so don’t listen to the noise others spew about how YOU should be studying.

With the right study plan, you will pass!

This goes with any test and we’ve covered it before, put in the work, create a plan, and dive in. If you’re prepared it’s almost impossible to fail.

_____

We hope this helps! What other lies or statements have you heard? DM or Contact Us to let us know. We love hearing your feedback!