Running a successful mock oral board exam session

Jul 11

Written By John Eldridge

1. Understand the Real Exam Format

Before you can simulate it, you need to match the actual ABA oral board structure:

ABA Oral Board (SOE) Format:

Two 35-minute sessions with different examiners.
Each session has:
- 2 structured clinical cases (10-15 minutes)
- 1 set of additional topics (10 minutes)

2. Choose and Prepare Realistic Cases

What Makes a Good Mock Case?

Based on common and high-risk scenarios (e.g., obstetric hemorrhage, difficult airway, pediatric emergencies).
Includes unexpected developments that test adaptability.
Covers multiple domains: preop, intraop, postop, systems-based practice, communication, and crisis management.

You can find case banks in:

Clinical Anesthesia by Barash
Anesthesia Oral Board Review – Lovich-Sapola
ABA example questions on their website

3. Recruit and Train Faculty Examiners

Not all attendings are familiar with the ABA exam rubric. Brief them on:

Staying neutral and stoic—no cues or expressions.
Letting the candidate talk—don’t interrupt unless guiding.
Scoring based on knowledge, judgment, organization, adaptability, and communication.

Tip: Use recently board-certified anesthesiologists as junior examiners—they know what it’s like firsthand.

4. Simulate the Real Environment

Make it feel like the real deal:

Candidate sits alone with the "examiner" in a quiet room.
Clock is visible but no notes or prompts allowed.
Case is read aloud, and answers must be spoken, not written.
Examiner plays the role of a neutral board member, not a teacher.

Optional: Record the session so the resident can review later.

5. Give Structured Feedback Immediately After

Break feedback into three categories:

Category Example Feedback Content Missed differentials, incomplete plan, no backup strategy Delivery Disorganized thoughts, too fast, too slow, filler words Judgment Didn’t call for help, ignored red flags, lacked escalation plan

Be specific. Instead of “You did fine,” say:

“You missed an opportunity to discuss a regional technique in the chronic pain patient—think about multimodal planning.”

6. Repeat Regularly & Increase Complexity

Start mock orals early in CA-3 year or even late CA-2.

Monthly sessions are ideal, rotating examiners and cases.
Increase difficulty and curveballs as candidates progress.
Track progress: use rubrics to show improvement over time.

Use a scoring sheet aligned with ABA domains:

Medical Knowledge
Clinical Judgment
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Professionalism

7. Encourage Peer-to-Peer Practice Too

Not every practice needs a faculty examiner.

Residents can role-play using flashcards or case scripts.
This helps develop thinking aloud and teaches them to self-critique.

Bonus: Tools & Resources to Run Your Session

Resource Use Anesthesia Oral Board Review (Lovich-Sapola) Pre-built mock cases ABA Candidate Guidebook Rubrics and exam philosophy Zoom/Teams/Google Meet Remote mock orals Loom / OBS Studio Record sessions for feedback Score sheets / Google Forms Digital feedback tracking

Final Tips for Success

Normalize failure during practice—it’s better to mess up in mock sessions.
Encourage honest reflection: Have residents watch their own recordings.
Create a safe space: No shame, no judgment—just growth.
Celebrate wins: Improvement and progress should be acknowledged to build morale.

John Eldridge