Stress and Anxiety

You might think that the main reason that people fail the board examination is due to lack of sufficient study or case presentation.  My experience is that most people spend enough time preparing these skills.  In fact, most residents are extremely well prepared in these areas.  The reason is that all tests to this point have been written tests, and examinees are very familiar with studying for a written type of test.  The same study skills can be used to prepare for the oral board examination.  What the majority of examinees fail to recognize is that stress and anxiety are much larger factors in an oral examination.  Few candidates spend any time preparing to deal with anxiety and stress.  I am not aware of any training programs or review courses that successfully address these issues.  The fact is that most people who do not pass the board examination did not test well due to anxiety and stress.  I strongly advise my students to prepare for the anxiety and stress that the examination will provoke.  For each individual, the preparation may be different.  If you do take the time to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge, your chance of success will be greatly enhanced.  Sitting in the "hot seat" while presenting cases is a good tool for preparing for examination stress and anxiety.  However, I would suggest spending some time with books, tapes, or video's about the subject of stress and anxiety management.  The small amount of time you spend on this task may slightly decrease the amount of study time for radiology, but you will be handsomely rewarded!

Resources to Reduce Exam, Test, and Oral Board Stress and Anxiety

Radiology Exam Anxiety and Stress Reduction Resources "Hot Seat" preparation for many people desensitizes the anxiety and stress response so that they can perform well in the radiology oral board exam.  However, some people tend to be more anxious or nervous despite this type of preparation.  Numerous resources are available to assist you with test and exam anxiety and stress reduction.  If you feel like you need additional help beyond the standard "hot seat" preparation, the following links show various anxiety and stress reduction books and audio books that may help you:  Exam, Test, and Radiology Oral Board Anxiety Reduction Books, Tapes, and Resources The small amount of time you spend preparing for anxiety and stress management and reduction will pay big dividends on test day.   What about anxiety reducing medication? I have been asked by quite a few residents about taking beta blockers or benzodiazepines for the examination.  I do not recommend taking any medication prior to the examination, particularly if you do not know how it will affect your mental acuity.  Remember that some anxiety and stress is essential for your mental alertness and performance on the test.  You don't want to be mentally sluggish or asleep!  Your goal is to harness the anxiety for constructive purposes rather than being paralyzed with fear.  With that being said, I realize that you are all doctors and capable of making your own decisions about medication. What about Coffee or Caffeine? If you are accustomed to having coffee or caffeine, I would still have some before the exam.  You don't wan to be distracted by withdrawal symptoms during the test.  Remember, however, that caffeine may increase your anxiety levels though so moderation is prudent.