ABOS Orthopaedic Surgery study plan
ABOS Orthopaedic Surgery · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Part I (Written Examination)
Map the Part I written blueprint into a weighted topic checklist covering basic science, biomechanics, and implant metallurgy
Rank the checklist by exam weight and personal weak areas to set a study order
Build a spaced-repetition deck of 150 high-yield basic science facts
Complete 40 practice questions on basic science and log every miss with a one-line reason
Your checkpoint
A weighted Part I topic checklist with a ranked study order and a 150-card starter deck
Part I (Written Examination)
Diagnose your baseline by completing a timed 100-question mixed Part I block under exam conditions
Identify the three lowest-scoring content areas from the baseline
Write a targeted remediation list for each low-scoring area
Review every missed baseline item to the level of explaining the correct answer aloud
Your checkpoint
A baseline score report with three named weak areas and a written remediation list
Part I (Written Examination)
Drill the top two weak areas with 60 focused questions each
Teach each weak-area concept from memory without notes for 10 minutes
Re-test each weak area with 20 new questions and record the score change
Update the spaced-repetition deck with new misses
Your checkpoint
A before-and-after score comparison for both remediated weak areas
Part I (Written Examination)
Complete a full-length timed Part I simulation
Score and categorize every miss by content area and error type
Compare results against the week-2 baseline to confirm upward trend
Adjust the remaining Part I study priorities based on error patterns
Your checkpoint
A full-length simulation score with an error-category breakdown and revised priorities
Part II (Oral Examination)
Outline the Part II oral case categories and the expected structure of a case presentation
Practice structured case presentation aloud for 10 common scenarios
Rehearse a consistent diagnostic-and-treatment reasoning sequence for each case
Record two practice cases and self-critique against a written rubric
Your checkpoint
A written oral-case presentation template plus two recorded and self-scored practice cases
Part II (Oral Examination)
Present 15 cases aloud to a study partner or mock examiner
Answer follow-up and complication questions under time pressure
Refine the presentation template based on feedback
Practice articulating evidence and rationale for treatment choices
Your checkpoint
A feedback log from 15 mock oral cases with three concrete presentation improvements
Part I (Written Examination) & Part II (Oral Examination)
Run a second full-length Part I simulation and compare against week 4
Conduct a full mock oral session covering 12 cases end to end
Close remaining Part I gaps flagged by the simulation
Tighten oral delivery for pacing and clarity
Your checkpoint
A combined scorecard showing Part I simulation trend and mock oral performance ratings
Part I (Written Examination) & Part II (Oral Examination)
Review the highest-frequency misses from both parts only, avoiding new material
Run one final short Part I timed block and one final mock oral
Rehearse the oral presentation template until delivery is automatic
Finalize an exam-day logistics and pacing plan
Your checkpoint
A final readiness summary with pass/fail confidence per domain and a written exam-day plan
Milestones
Week 2: Baseline Part I score recorded with three named weak areas documented
Week 4: Full-length Part I simulation completed and score higher than the week-2 baseline
Week 6: At least 15 mock oral cases presented aloud with written feedback captured
Week 8: Final Part I block and mock oral completed with both domains rated exam-ready