What is the ABOS Part II pass rate?

The ABOS Part II oral exam has an overall pass rate of approximately 96%. This means roughly 4% of candidates — about 1 in 25 — do not pass on their attempt. While this sounds reassuring, the 4% failure rate represents real orthopedic surgeons whose careers are directly affected, and the causes of failure are almost always preventable.

The high pass rate can create a false sense of security. Many candidates assume they will pass because "almost everyone does," and consequently under-prepare. This is exactly the mindset that leads to failure. The candidates who fail are typically not less intelligent or less skilled surgically. They are the ones who did not practice case presentations under realistic conditions, who volunteered too much information, who lost composure when challenged, or who could not discuss complications without becoming defensive.

It is also worth noting that the 96% pass rate reflects candidates who have already survived a rigorous residency, passed Part I, and are motivated enough to prepare. The denominator is already filtered for competence. The exam is testing something different — your ability to present and defend your clinical decision-making under pressure. Ortho Board Prep exists because that 4% failure rate, while small in percentage terms, represents a devastating outcome that targeted preparation can prevent.