ABPS Orthopedic Surgery study plan

ABPS Orthopedic Surgery · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Orthopedic Surgery Knowledge and Skills (written exam)

Map the written-exam blueprint by listing every major orthopedic topic area and assigning each a study weight
Build a spaced-repetition deck seeded with 150+ foundational facts covering fracture classification systems, bone healing physiology, and implant biomechanics
Draft a one-page summary sheet distinguishing descriptive from treatment-oriented classification schemes for long-bone fractures

A topic-weighted written-exam blueprint table plus a 150-card foundational review deck

Week 2

Work through high-yield trauma content by classifying and outlining management for 40 fracture patterns from memory before checking references
Compare operative versus nonoperative indications for common fractures and articulate the deciding factors aloud
Self-quiz on compartment syndrome, open fracture grading, and polytrauma priorities until recall is fluent

A 40-fracture classification and management log with self-scored accuracy of at least 80%

Week 3

Summarize arthroplasty principles including implant selection, fixation methods, bearing surfaces, and failure modes
Outline pediatric orthopedic conditions and their age-dependent management differences
Complete 100+ practice-style written items and categorize every miss by topic to expose weak areas

An error-analysis spreadsheet tagging at least 100 practice items by topic and cause of miss

Week 4

Review sports medicine, hand, foot and ankle, and spine content and condense each into a one-page high-yield sheet
Re-test all previously missed concepts and confirm mastery of at least 80% of them
Practice timed written blocks to build pacing for the exam format

Four one-page subspecialty summary sheets plus a timed 60-item practice block with a recorded score

Week 5

Convert written knowledge into oral case presentations by rehearsing structured 3-minute case summaries for 10 common scenarios
Practice articulating differential diagnoses, workup rationale, and treatment plans aloud for each rehearsed case
Record yourself presenting and critique clarity, structure, and completeness

Ten recorded 3-minute oral case presentations with a written self-critique for each

Week 6

Rehearse handling follow-up and complication questions by defending management choices for 10 surgical scenarios
Practice ethical, professionalism, and communication scenarios aloud using a structured response framework
Build fluency in justifying imaging and lab ordering decisions in oral format

A written bank of 20 oral-style question responses with model answer outlines

Week 7

Run two full mock oral exams with a study partner or mentor and log every examiner follow-up question
Revisit written-domain weak spots identified in week 4 and close at least three remaining gaps
Refine oral delivery by tightening answers to under 90 seconds where appropriate

Two completed mock oral exams with scored feedback and a remediation list

Week 8

Deliver a final full mock oral exam under realistic timing and confirm readiness on all scored dimensions
Complete a final timed written practice set and verify scores meet the target threshold
Consolidate a one-page pre-exam review sheet of the highest-yield facts and oral framing phrases

Final mock oral scorecard plus a final timed written practice score and a one-page pre-exam review sheet

Week 2: Foundational written deck reviewed at least twice with 80% or better self-quiz accuracy on trauma classification

Week 4: Written-domain practice scores at or above 70% and all week 1-3 misses re-tested with 80% mastery

Week 6: Ten oral case presentations recorded and self-critiqued with documented improvement in structure and clarity

Week 8: Final mock oral passed on all scored dimensions and final timed written practice meets the target threshold