CAQ-Derm study plan

CAQ-Derm · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Dermatology

Map the full CAQ-Derm content outline into a one-page checklist and tag each item with a confidence score from 1 to 5
Build a spaced-repetition deck covering basic science foundations of dermatology: epidermal and dermal structure, keratinocyte biology, basement membrane zone, and skin barrier function
Define and distinguish primary and secondary skin lesions using precise morphologic terminology
Complete 40 practice questions on dermatologic terminology and morphology and log every miss with a one-line reason

A confidence-tagged content checklist plus a 100-card foundation deck, with a log of 40 reviewed questions

Week 2

Classify inflammatory dermatoses by their characteristic histologic pattern and clinical distribution
Compare psoriasis, lichen planus, and pityriasis rosea on onset, morphology, distribution, and expected biopsy findings
Interpret direct immunofluorescence patterns for autoimmune blistering disease and map each pattern to its diagnosis
Write a one-page comparison table for the papulosquamous and vesiculobullous disorders

A completed comparison table covering at least 12 inflammatory and blistering diagnoses, self-quizzed to 90 percent recall

Week 3

Differentiate benign, premalignant, and malignant cutaneous neoplasms by clinical and dermoscopic features
Apply the ABCDE and ugly-duckling criteria to melanoma recognition and describe Breslow depth and its prognostic role
Describe staging and initial workup concepts for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
Complete 50 practice questions on cutaneous oncology and categorize each error as knowledge, misread, or guess

An error-analysis report on 50 oncology questions with a targeted review list of the three weakest subtopics

Week 4

Summarize cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, including paraneoplastic, endocrine, and rheumatologic associations
Connect each systemic association to the skin finding that should prompt further workup
Review weeks 1 to 3 material and re-test every previously missed item in the spaced-repetition deck
Complete a timed 60-question mixed block under exam conditions

A timed 60-question block scored at or above 70 percent, plus a cleared backlog of missed cards

Week 5

Outline the diagnostic approach to cutaneous infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, and mycobacterial
Distinguish drug eruption patterns and identify the warning features of severe cutaneous adverse reactions
Describe the clinical approach to urticaria, eczema, and contact dermatitis, including patch testing principles
Build 60 new flashcards covering infections, drug eruptions, and eczematous disease

A 60-card deck on infections and reactive dermatoses, with a one-page red-flag sheet for severe drug reactions

Week 6

Review disorders of pigmentation, hair, nails, and oral mucosa and their key differentiating features
Summarize pediatric and genodermatosis presentations most likely to appear on the exam
Describe basic dermatologic procedures and their indications, contraindications, and complications
Complete 50 practice questions weighted toward these lower-volume subtopics

A one-page rapid-review sheet for pigmentary, hair, nail, oral, and pediatric dermatology, validated by a 50-question set

Week 7

Consolidate all subtopics into a single high-yield summary organized by morphology and by disease category
Re-drill every card missed more than once and retire cards answered correctly three times in a row
Complete a timed 100-question simulated exam and record per-subtopic accuracy
Identify the three lowest-accuracy subtopics and schedule focused review for each

A timed 100-question simulation with a per-subtopic accuracy report and a written remediation plan

Week 8

Re-review the three weakest subtopics identified in week 7 and re-test each with 20 targeted questions
Run two additional timed blocks and practice pacing to finish with time remaining
Recite the high-yield summary sheet from memory and patch any gaps
Reduce study load in the final two days to light card review only

Two timed blocks at or above target score and a final one-page high-yield sheet recited from memory

Week 2: Foundation and inflammatory-disease decks reviewed to at least 85 percent recall on a self-quiz

Week 4: Timed 60-question mixed block completed at 70 percent or higher with an error log

Week 6: All subtopics covered at least once and rapid-review sheets complete for each

Week 7: Timed 100-question simulation completed with per-subtopic accuracy documented

Week 8: Two final timed blocks at or above target score and high-yield sheet recited from memory