ABOS Part II vs Part I, what's different?

The ABOS Part I and Part II examinations test fundamentally different competencies. Part I is a computer-based, multiple-choice written exam that tests breadth of orthopaedic knowledge. Part II is a live oral examination that tests how you apply and communicate that knowledge in real time, under pressure, discussing your own surgical cases.

The written exam rewards comprehensive knowledge and test-taking strategy. You can second-guess yourself, change answers, and work through questions at your own pace. The oral exam rewards composure, organized thinking, and the ability to defend your clinical decisions face-to-face with experienced examiners. There is no going back, no multiple choice, and no time to look things up. When an examiner asks why you chose a particular surgical approach, you must answer clearly and confidently in that moment.

The preparation strategies for each exam are also completely different. Part I preparation is largely about reading, textbooks, review courses, question banks. Part II preparation is largely about doing, organizing case files, presenting cases out loud, practicing under realistic examiner pressure. Many candidates make the mistake of preparing for Part II the same way they prepared for Part I: more reading, more note-taking, more passive review. This approach misses the point entirely. The oral exam is a performance, and you train for a performance by performing. Ortho Board Prep focuses exclusively on Part II preparation because the skills required, case presentation, composure, and examiner management, demand practice, not just study.