How to Study for Internal Medicine Boards
We know you know how to study. After all, you wouldn’t be where you are — preparing for the Internal Medicine board exam — if you didn’t. But your time is scarce, and medical knowledge is increasing exponentially. Continually honing your ability to learn and use your study time efficiently is paramount to success, both for passing the ABIM exam and keeping your medical knowledge current.
We want to help! That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive ABIM Study Guide. In each part of this guide, we will walk you through your exam prep with:
- Resources to create and implement an effective learning plan for passing the ABIM exam
- Evidence-based strategies that will accelerate your exam prep
- Key action items to sign up on time and prepare for your Internal Medicine boards in the most efficient, effective ways possible
ABIM Study Schedule — What’s Your Timeline?
Refer to the countdown tools to the left to determine how many weeks and days you have until your exam. Then select the first link below to review exam dates and registration deadlines and make a plan to sign up on time to avoid late fees.
Once you’ve decided on your exam date, make a copy of, and fill in the ABIM Board Study Planner Tool below and use the results to create your ABIM study schedule. The tool includes key dates and formulas to understand your timetable and get an estimate of how much time you’ll need to study for the exam.
Action Items / Resources:
- Get the exam on your calendar: ABIM Exam Dates.
- Register for the exam or add the registration deadline to your calendar.
- Make a copy of and fill in our customizable ABIM Board Study Planner Tool.
Click the image to access the tool.
Preparing for the ABIM Board Exam
- Part 1: Get Started
- Part 2: Apply the Science of Learning
- Part 3: Plan & Practice
- Part 4: Use Your Time Wisely
- Part 5: Collaborate for Success
- Part 6: Pass the ABIM Exam
Part 1: Get Started
ABIM Study Quickstart
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and just need a way to jumpstart your ABIM exam prep, read the tips in the first resource below. Once you’ve gained some momentum, you can refer back to the other resources in this guide to take your exam prep to the next level.
If you’re in the early stages of learning about the ABIM exam, we’ve got answers to all your questions in the second resource below. Check it out!
Action Items / Resources:
Internal Medicine Practice Exam
We recommend you take two timed practice exams before the exam — one at the beginning of your exam prep to provide you with baseline information and help you zero in on topics that need your attention; and another as your exam day approaches so you can acclimate to the timed ABIM exam experience and build your confidence for exam day.
Action Items and Resources:
- Take your first Practice Exam to get your ‘knowledge baseline’
How NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Helps
NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review has two timed practice exams, each with 60 questions that mirror the format of the Internal Medicine board exam. After each exam, you’ll get detailed feedback on your performance broken down by subspecialty, as well as key learning points and citations. Learn more about NEJM Knowledge+ Board Review, including the two practice exams.
Part 2: Apply the Science of Learning
Internal Medicine Board Preparation — Level Up Your Learning Skills
Taking some time to level up your learning skills will pay dividends in time savings and knowledge retention. So, we’ve pulled together resources to help you apply the latest learning science and evidence-based practices as you study for the exam. Read the posts and become an even more efficient and effective learner!
Action Items / Resources:
Part 3: Plan & Practice
Internal Medicine Board Study Plan — Create Your Roadmap
If you’ve been following along with this guide so far, you’ve established your timeline and determined how much time you need to study. You’ve also taken a practice exam and spent some time leveling up your learning skills. Now it’s time to create a personalized plan that prioritizes study topics based on the ABIM Blueprint as well as your strengths and challenge areas.
Action Items / Resources:
- Create a plan that fits you: ABIM Study Plan — Create Your Roadmap for Passing the Internal Medicine Certification Exam
How NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Helps
NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review uses advanced algorithms to eradicate learning gaps and deliver content precisely mapped to the ABIM Blueprint to create the perfect learning path for you. The algorithm automatically adjusts in real time to your strengths and knowledge gaps. Learn how our Adaptive Learning Technology can speed up your Internal Medicine board prep and build your metacognition to help you become a faster, more superior learner.
How To Study for Internal Medicine Boards — Answer IM Practice Questions
If you’ve implemented the previous recommendations in this guide, you’ve gathered a lot of information on how to study for Internal Medicine boards in the most effective and efficient ways. So, you probably know that answering internal medicine questions is one of the best strategies you can deploy. Use the resources below to learn more about Internal Medicine question banks and how to get free board review questions.
Action Items / Resources:
- Choose a Question Bank aligned to the ABIM Blueprint that includes relevant, common clinical scenarios you encounter in everyday practice
- Sign up for NEJM Knowledge+ Question of the Week and get FREE board review questions delivered to your inbox
How NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Helps
NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review has the largest ABIM question bank anywhere, with over 5,100 questions aligned to the ABIM Blueprint including single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs) just like the ones on the exam. Our Internal Medicine MCQs are in the same format as the ABIM exam and include the:
- Patient vignette or question scenario
- Lead-in or the question itself
- Answer options with one correct answer and several distractors
By answering questions like the ones on the exam you’ll not only learn rapidly, but you’ll also gain the skills and confidence you need to tackle questions successfully on exam day. Learn how we develop our gold-standard Internal Medicine board review questions.
Part 4: Use Your Time Wisely
ABIM Board Review — Make the Most of Every Moment
One of the best ways to optimize your time is to utilize your interactions with patients as springboards for deeper learning. Research has shown that learning in context leads to better understanding and retention. In the first resource below, you’ll find information on why and how to leverage every remaining day of your residency as a tool to prepare for your exam. There’s also a post below about one internist’s strategies for getting ready for the ABIM exam, including studying while she was climbing on a StairMaster. Check them out!
Action Items / Resources:
- Get inspiration and tips by reading, I Studied for the Internal Medicine Boards Exam on the StairMaster
Internal Medicine Exam Prep — What’s Your Study Style?
The most efficient Internal Medicine exam prep plan factors in your preferred style for learning new information. If you haven’t yet taken into consideration your personal approach to learning, perhaps this is a good juncture for some self-reflection: Are you a Planner? Crammer? Episodic Studier? Click the link below to get a study guide based on your preferences, including information on where to focus your studying along with tips and ideas specific to your study style.
Action Items / Resources:
How NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Helps
The Adaptive Learning algorithm in NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review uses spaced repetition and diverse question formats to enhance long-term retention and deepen understanding. It customizes your learning path in real-time and avoids questions about topics you know well, saving valuable time. LEARN MORE.
Part 5: Collaborate for Success
Study for the Internal Medicine Exam with Colleagues
Depending on where you are in your ABIM board prep cycle, you may be considering a board review course. But how do you decide whether to sign up for one and, with all the options out there, which IM board review course is right for you? In the Ins and Outs of Internal Medicine Board Review Courses, we’ve pulled together some great information to begin your research and help you decide whether taking a course is the right path for you.
This may also be a good time to join or start a study group. Participating in a study group can help you stay motivated and provide you with accountability to ensure that studying for your Internal Medicine exam doesn’t always take a back seat to all the other demands on your time. Tap the link below to download our Study Group Guide with everything you need to successfully start and/or participate in a board exam study group.
Action Items / Resources:
How NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Helps
If you’re looking for the most flexible, effective way to prepare for your ABIM exam, NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review is proven to work. Four different studies confirm that it improves exam scores and enhances learning. Read the research to learn more.
Part 6: Pass the ABIM Exam
Internal Medicine Board Exam Prep — Strategies for Working Through ABIM Questions
We’ve previously encouraged you to spend time answering Internal Medicine practice questions because it is one of the most effective paths to ABIM exam success. In our blog post, Strategies for Working through ABIM Questions you’ll learn how to skillfully approach the complex case-based questions you’ll encounter on the exam. Read the blog post and ace your ABIM exam!
Action Items / Resources:
Internal Medicine Board Exam Prep — Get Organized for Exam Day!
As exam day approaches, there are other important tasks outside of studying that you need to do to get ready for the big day, including learning what to expect at the test center, knowing what to bring, and understanding how to manage the clock and your anxiety while taking the test. We’ve got it all covered in our “Survival Guide for ABIM Exam Day.” Also, don’t forget to take that second practice exam to get in the zone for the big day!
Action Items / Resources:
- Take a second practice exam
How NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Helps
With over 5,100 questions aligned to the ABIM Blueprint, the most advanced adaptive learning technology available, and two practice exams, NEJM Knowledge+ Internal Medicine Board Review is the perfect way to fast track your exam prep and practice your process for tackling ABIM questions. LEARN MORE..
Internal Medicine Boards — You Got this!
We know that preparing for your Internal Medicine boards can be challenging. But with your perseverance along with the tips and resources in this guide, we know you can do this! Here’s to a resounding success in this significant milestone of your medical career. Good luck on your journey to excellence!
ABIM Board Review Resources in this Guide
- ABIM Exam Dates
- ABIM Board Study Planner Tool
- 10 Ways to Kickstart your Board Exam Prep
- Internal Medicine Board Exam: All Your Questions Answered
- How to Study for Boards
- Testing Effect
- Neuroscience of Learning
- Microlearning
- Spaced Repetition
- ABIM Exam Blueprint
- ABIM Study Plan
- Internal Medicine Question Banks
- NEJM Knowledge+ Question of the Week
- Residency as a Study Tool
- Study for IM Boards on Stairmaster
- Personalized Study Guide
- Board Review Courses
- Study Group Guide
- Strategies for ABIM Questions
- Survival Guide ABIM Exam Day