What are the 9 ABOS scoring dimensions?

The ABOS Part II oral exam evaluates candidates across 9 standardized scoring dimensions. Each dimension is scored from 0 to 3 by both examiners in every session, creating a comprehensive profile of the candidate's clinical competence. Understanding these dimensions is essential because they define exactly what you are being evaluated on, and therefore what you should practice.

The 9 dimensions are: (1) Data Gathering, how you collect and present patient history, physical exam, and imaging; (2) Diagnosis and Interpretive Skills, your ability to synthesize information and form the correct diagnosis; (3) Treatment Plan, articulating a logical treatment approach including informed consent and follow-up; (4) Surgical Indications, showing sound judgment about when surgery is and is not appropriate, including non-surgical alternatives; (5) Technical Skill, demonstrating adequate pre-operative planning and execution of the procedure; (6) Surgical Complications, discussing complications with composure, including prevention, identification, and management; (7) Outcomes, evaluating patient satisfaction, objective recovery measures, and continuity of care; (8) Ethics and Professionalism, demonstrating safe, ethical, compassionate, and professional care; (9) Applied Knowledge, integrating evidence-based medicine regarding diagnostic methods, treatment alternatives, and expected outcomes.

Each dimension carries equal weight, which surprises many candidates who assume surgical technique is weighted most heavily. In practice, the dimensions where candidates lose the most points are data gathering (disorganized presentations), complication management (defensiveness), and surgical indications (failure to discuss non-operative alternatives). Ortho Board Prep's scoring feedback maps directly to these 9 dimensions, showing candidates exactly where they need improvement.