ABAI study plan

ABAI · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Allergy

Map the Allergy domain into its major subtopics and rank them by exam weight
Define and differentiate immediate (IgE-mediated) versus delayed (non-IgE) hypersensitivity reactions
List the primary mediators released by mast cells and basophils and state each mediator's clinical effect
Trace the sensitization-to-elicitation sequence of a type I reaction step by step

A one-page concept map of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity linking allergen exposure, sensitization, mast cell degranulation, and end-organ symptoms

Week 2

Compare diagnostic modalities (skin prick testing, serum specific IgE, component-resolved testing) by indication, sensitivity, and limitation
Interpret the clinical meaning of positive versus negative test results in the context of patient history
Identify contraindications and safety precautions for in-office allergy testing
Explain how cross-reactivity between allergen sources can confound test interpretation

A diagnostic decision table matching clinical scenarios to the preferred test and its interpretation caveats

Week 3

Classify allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergy, venom allergy, and drug allergy by mechanism and presentation
Outline first-line management for each major allergic condition, including avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy
Describe the indications, mechanism, and monitoring requirements for allergen immunotherapy
Differentiate anaphylaxis from other acute allergic presentations and state the immediate treatment sequence

A condition-by-condition management summary covering five allergic disorders with first-line and escalation therapy

Week 4

Diagram the innate versus adaptive immune system and assign each cell type to its compartment
Describe T-cell maturation, selection, and the functional distinction between helper and cytotoxic subsets
Explain B-cell development, activation, and the class-switching process that yields different antibody isotypes
Summarize the structure and effector function of each immunoglobulin class

A labeled immune-cell lineage diagram plus a comparison table of the five immunoglobulin isotypes

Week 5

Walk through the complement cascade via classical, alternative, and lectin pathways and identify the convergence point
State the biological consequences of complement activation and the regulatory proteins that restrain them
Describe antigen processing and presentation through MHC class I and class II pathways
Explain the cytokine networks that polarize immune responses and the functional profiles of key cytokines

A complement pathway flowchart annotated with regulators and a cytokine function quick-reference sheet

Week 6

Classify primary immunodeficiencies by the affected immune component and their hallmark infections
Outline the laboratory approach to evaluating suspected immunodeficiency, including screening versus advanced tests
Describe the mechanisms and clinical features of autoimmune disease and the basis of autoantibody testing
Explain transplant rejection types and the principles of immunomodulatory therapy

A primary immunodeficiency classification grid pairing each defect category with its characteristic pathogens and screening test

Week 7

Integrate immunologic mechanism with allergic disease presentation for each major disorder
Connect immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation states to their allergic or atopic manifestations
Resolve cross-domain scenarios involving hypersensitivity mechanisms, testing interpretation, and management
Identify personal weak spots by reviewing missed practice items across both domains

A cross-domain integration sheet linking ten immunologic mechanisms to their corresponding allergic clinical presentations

Week 8

Complete timed mixed-domain practice sets under exam conditions
Analyze every missed item to classify the error as knowledge gap, misread, or reasoning flaw
Re-drill the highest-frequency weak areas surfaced in prior weeks
Consolidate high-yield facts into a final rapid-review document

A scored full-length practice exam with a written error log and a prioritized remediation list for the final days

Week 2: Score at least 80% on a 30-question Allergy diagnostic and testing self-quiz

Week 4: Complete the immune-cell and immunoglobulin deliverables and pass a 25-question Immunology fundamentals check at 80% or higher

Week 6: Pass a 40-question Immunology assessment covering complement, cytokines, immunodeficiency, and autoimmunity at 80% or higher

Week 7: Score 75% or higher on a mixed 50-question cross-domain set, with every miss logged and categorized

Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher on the full-length timed practice exam with a completed error log