This past week, I sat for my NBCE Part II and Part III board examinations. These two exams, along with Part IV, which I am taking in two weeks, are the final steps on my journey toward licensure. Our entire chiropractic medicine education is designed to prepare us for the clinical phase, but a major secondary goal is demonstrating that knowledge through these exams to prove competency. Parts II and III are online exams that primarily focus on clinical and radiological skill and their application. The questions range from straightforward topics, covering various conditions and diagnostic clues, to more complex case-based scenarios and X-ray interpretation. They also include questions on imaging modalities, chiropractic theories and adjusting!
The Stress of Board Exams
Board exams are extremely stressful, no matter how much you study. Still, helps to remember that our entire education has been leading up to this point. Knowing that the exams are graded on a pass/fail basis gives me some personal peace of mind while I wait for my results. I’ll be sure to update you all when I receive them.
As I mentioned earlier, Part IV is coming up this November. This is the only in-person board exam featuring standardized patients and live proctors. We’re given clinical scenarios and must conduct patient interviews and physical or orthopedic exams. Although these are skills we practice daily in clinic, it’s definitely nerve wracking to perform them under these exam conditions.
Looking Ahead to What’s Next
At the same time, I’m incredibly excited for the moment when all of the board exams are behind me and I can fully focus on my time at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute during Trimester 10. If anyone has questions about what these board exams are like or how to prepare for them, I’m always happy to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
