The American Board Style Practice In-Training Examination as a Predictor of Performance on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination

Background: The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE), is an annual 250 question, multiple-choice test that assesses residents’ surgical knowledge in preparation for board examinations. At our program, we developed a Surgical Council on Resident Education-based American Board Style Practice In-Training Examination: The ABSPITE. The 40-question examination was designed to help with test preparation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ABSPITE's predictive value on ABSITE performance. Methods: From 2013 to 2016, the ABSPITE was administered to residents at our program. Performances (N = 134) were graded based on a standardized scale to determine resident percent and percentile performance, then compared to average ABSITE performance. Results: Combined analysis showed a statistically significant positive correlation between average ABSITE and ABSPITE percentages and percentiles. This held true when categorical and preliminary residents were compared. When stratified by resident PGY level, the same results were seen for PGY 1 and PGY 2 residents but correlations failed to reach statistical significance for higher resident training levels. Conclusions: The practice ABSPITE examination strongly correlates with ABSITE performance among junior residents at our program, and may be a valuable tool to predict ABSITE performance and guide review efforts.