How to Pass the ABOG Exam: Complete OB/GYN Board Prep Guide

For every OB/GYN, earning board certification is a major milestone—one that not only validates your training but also elevates your credibility, professional opportunities, and clinical autonomy. But before you can add those four coveted letters—ABOG—after your name, you need to pass one of the most comprehensive and rigorous exams in medicine.

Whether you're a fresh graduate from residency or preparing for recertification, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to successfully prepare for—and conquer—the ABOG exam. We’ll walk you through the exam format, key strategies for mastering the content, proven study resources, common pitfalls to avoid, and tips to keep your confidence high throughout the process.

This isn’t a bland regurgitation of what’s on the ABOG website. This is real talk from someone who’s been through it—and wants you to succeed.

What is the ABOG Exam?

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) certifies physicians in the OB/GYN specialty. The path to initial certification includes:

1. The Qualifying Exam (written)
2. The Certifying Exam (oral)

Only after passing both are you considered board certified.

1. The ABOG Qualifying Exam

• Format: A computer-based, multiple-choice exam administered at Pearson VUE centers.
• Length: Approximately 4 hours with 200+ questions.
• When: Typically taken in the summer after completing residency.
• Goal: Assess foundational knowledge across the full OB/GYN spectrum.

2. The ABOG Certifying Exam

• Format: Oral examination conducted in person by a panel of board-certified physicians.
• When: Taken the following year, assuming a passing score on the qualifying exam and an accepted case list.
• Goal: Evaluate your clinical judgment, case management, and ethical reasoning in real-world scenarios.

Section 1: Preparing for the ABOG Qualifying Exam

Start Early—But Strategically

Studying for the Qualifying Exam should ideally begin 4 to 6 months prior to your scheduled test date. You’ll be juggling work, possibly research, and life responsibilities—so a realistic and structured timeline is key.

Suggested Timeline:

• Months 1–2: Light review of core topics and question bank familiarization.
• Months 3–4: Intensive content study, daily question practice.
• Final 1–2 months: Focused revision, full-length practice tests, review of weak areas.

Understand the Content Areas

ABOG outlines the core domains covered in the exam:

• Obstetrics (normal & high-risk pregnancy, intrapartum care)
• Gynecology (reproductive endocrinology, minimally invasive surgery, urogynecology)
• Office Practice (contraception, menopause, adolescent gynecology, preventive care)
• Women’s Health (primary care, infectious disease, psychosocial issues)

Use the ABOG Bulletin as your blueprint—it tells you what’s fair game and how heavily topics are weighted.

Choose the Right Study Resources

Your prep is only as good as your resources. The top-performing candidates consistently rely on:

1. PROLOG Series (ACOG)

• Highly respected by ABOG
• Topics include Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and more
• Great for both knowledge review and question practice

2. CREOG Questions

• Residency in-training exam questions
• Great litmus test for your strengths and weaknesses
• A must-use resource for recent grads

3. UWise (APGO)

• Q-bank used by many residency programs
• Excellent for clinical scenarios and board-style logic

4. Yale Review Book (Obstetrics and Gynecology: PreTest)

• High-yield for last-minute reviews and quizzes

5. Online Qbanks:

• TrueLearn: One of the most comprehensive ABOG question banks
• BoardVitals: Board-style questions with detailed explanations

Use Active Study Techniques

Passive reading won’t cut it. You need retention strategies:

• Spaced repetition (Anki): Make flashcards from incorrect questions.
• Teach it out loud: If you can’t explain HELLP syndrome clearly, you don’t know it.
• Clinical mnemonics: Mnemonics like “HELLP = Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets” stick better under pressure.

Practice Under Exam Conditions

Do at least two full-length mock exams under timed conditions. This trains your focus and builds test-day stamina. Simulate the pressure, learn when to skip, flag, or guess.

Section 2: Preparing for the ABOG Certifying Exam

The Oral Exam is often more intimidating than the written—but it doesn’t have to be. It’s less about trivia and more about how you think.

Key Components:

1. Case List Review (submitted in advance)
2. Structured Interviews
3. Ethical Scenarios

Step-by-Step Plan for Oral Exam Success

1. Start Building Your Case List During PGY-4

Your case list includes:

• Office visits
• Obstetric patients
• Surgical procedures

Keep it clean, organized, and formatted per ABOG guidelines. Categorize cases by pathology, complexity, and outcome.

2. Use Case List to Study Smart

This isn’t just a formality. Your list will shape your exam. You will be asked about your cases—so know them inside-out:

• Why you chose one management option over another
• What evidence guided your decisions
• Complications, follow-up, and alternative options

3. Practice Out Loud (A Lot)

• Schedule weekly oral board drills with mentors or colleagues
• Use prep programs like:
  • ABC (American Board Courses)
  • Osler Institute
• Focus on structure:
  • Initial diagnosis
  • Differential
  • Management
  • Justification

4. Learn to Handle Ethical Questions

Expect non-clinical topics:

• How do you counsel a Jehovah’s Witness refusing a transfusion?
• What if a patient refuses a necessary C-section?

These aren’t “right/wrong” scenarios. They’re about:

• Patient autonomy
• Informed consent
• Balancing safety and ethics

Section 3: Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Delaying your study start date
   Residency is exhausting, but procrastination turns stress into panic.
2. Over-relying on passive reading
   Skimming PROLOG is not the same as mastering it. Active recall is key.
3. Neglecting your case list
   Last-minute case list preparation can lead to disorganized thoughts during oral exams.
4. Cramming instead of reviewing
   Give yourself enough time to actually retain what you’re reviewing.
5. Not practicing verbal delivery
   You’ll know the answers—but can you explain them under pressure?

Section 4: Tips for Test Day Success

1. Sleep and Fuel Right

No amount of caffeine can replace proper sleep. Aim for at least 7 hours the night before, and eat a balanced breakfast with protein and slow-burning carbs.

2. Dress for Confidence (Oral Exam)

Business formal. Look the part. It helps you feel the part. Confidence matters in how your answers are received.

3. Time Yourself

For the written, don’t get bogged down by one tricky question. Flag and move. For the oral, keep your responses focused and don’t ramble.

4. Visualize Success

Mental rehearsal reduces stress. Picture walking into the test center, opening your case list binder, and fielding questions with clarity.

Section 5: Recertification and MOC

Once certified, ABOG requires Maintenance of Certification (MOC), which includes:

• Annual participation in the Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment (LLSA)
• Periodic performance assessments
• Re-certification exams or ongoing knowledge checks

Stay organized with ABOG’s online dashboard. Don’t let deadlines sneak up on you.

Final Thoughts: You’re More Ready Than You Think

Passing the ABOG exam isn’t just about being a great test taker—it’s about being a safe, thoughtful, and evidence-driven OB/GYN. You’ve delivered babies, managed hemorrhages, consoled grieving families, and helped women navigate some of the most intimate decisions of their lives.

You already are the kind of doctor ABOG wants to certify. This exam is just the final checkpoint. Prepare smart, speak with confidence, and trust your training.