10 Proven Ways to Ace the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Board Examination in 2025

It is often assumed that Internal Medicine physicians have adequate study skills because they survived medical school and several multiple-choice tests. However, many exam prep strategies that worked in medical school no longer work for them on standardized examinations such as the American Board of Internal Medicine Examination. Here, we discuss ten proven ways to raise the score.

1. Develop a study schedule:

Ideally, it is best to begin studying for a standardized licensing examination a year before the test.1 This allows for small, manageable chunks of study time. However, it isn’t a problem if you have less time. Make an ABIM study schedule for the time that you do have and stick to it. Create your board review boot camp, and use several ABIM practice techniques. Do five more Qbank questions to increase your stamina when you get tired.2

2. Practice Qbank questions similar to the test questions:

Practice makes perfect. For most standardized medical licensing exams, it is recommended to do at least 1500 practice questions. If you are only doing Qbank questions and not doing any other form of exam prep, doing 2500 question bank questions is recommended. 1 If you want more practice, practicing writing questions for a friend is a good technique. You understand the material more deeply if you can write questions instead of just answering them.

3. Learn your learning style:

The four basic learning styles in psychology are divergers, assimilators, convergers, and accommodators. It is thought that most high-level learners use different study strategies at different times rather than sticking to one of them. This helps to explain why excellent clinicians can struggle with tests. Assimilators do the best on examinations in medical school because they use logic to define the issues and create theoretical planning models. Accommodators learn by doing and are often in leadership roles. Convergers are not very interested in people but learn with deductive reasoning to solve problems. Divergers love to learn by observing and understanding people and issues (the most-loved clinicians). 3 Qbank questions help flex logic muscles, which is the trait of assimilators, even for those who are more into learning through patient care. If you are unsure which type of learner you are, experimenting with different exam prep methods may be helpful.

Assimilators do not need to do as many practice questions but may need to focus on increasing knowledge with quick questions. Divergers may need to learn to use more logic, so they must do thousands of Qbank questions. Information may be more accessible to them in lectures.

Learning styles are also divided into visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic. Visual learners might learn best through diagrams, auditory learners through lectures or audio content on a commute, and readers/writers through reading material or question explanations. Incorporating one of these learning styles can help you achieve your goals faster.

4. Test yourself and do it in a location similar to the ABIM examination:

Study at a coffee house or somewhere with people moving about to help stimulate a testing environment. Give yourself board exam simulations and check your results. When reviewing test questions you got wrong, check for any assumptions and don’t just read the question stem. Use only the information that is in the question itself. For example, if the answer is Kleinfelter’s syndrome, the question contains information about that disease. It should not require you to infer something on your own.

5. Take advantage of small breaks to aid learning:

Break up complex material and study time with productivity enhancers like the Pomodoro method. First, set a timer for 25 minutes. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. This counts as one set. After four sets, take a more extended break of 30 minutes. Make sure to stay away from screens during your breaks. Go for a walk, fold laundry, or call a friend. Closer to the Internal Medicine Board examination, try to build your endurance. Take longer blocks of an increasingly extended period so you don’t fade on test day.

6. Manage stress to improve concentration:

Physicians are chronically stressed, which can impede learning. Addressing the stress will allow you to do your best. Breathing techniques, meditation, CBT, DBT, and progressive muscle relaxation are all helpful methods of exam anxiety management.

7. Engage in active learning but avoid having too many resources:

Aim for 1-2 online test prep companies maximum and use a bank of questions. Make sure to find material that is updated frequently. It is helpful to record information you read but need to understand better so you can review it again. Flashcards are especially helpful because they take one key concept out of an otherwise lengthy question and force your brain to think actively about a subject.

8. Use goal-setting techniques:

If studying is a chore for you, set goals and reward yourself. If you can do 30 Qbank questions daily, you can treat yourself to ice cream, a special coffee, or a massage. This will help you stick to your study schedule.

9. Make exam prep for boards easy:

If you are a resident or busy attending, setting aside time to study can take time and effort. Family obligations make it increasingly challenging to find the time. You also cannot drag an entire set of books around with you. Find a method that fits with your lifestyle. Take practice questions at your kids’ soccer game while they are on the bench. Listen to audio material on your commute. Do some quick questions in line for coffee. Do some reading or a lecture on your lunch hour. These small investments of time add up quickly. Choosing an online board review company with a fully functional app is crucial so you can take your study material with you.

10. Feed your memory:

Most people spend all their time studying but do not practice reviewing material (usually due to time constraints and the amount of material that needs to be covered). To remember what you have studied, it is best to wait at least 6 hours or have slept before you review again. This is why cramming is not the best idea, and sometimes, it is difficult to remember what you learned at a week-long Internal Medicine refresher course. 1 Audio material during a commute can help you review concepts from Qbank questions that you have done. Flashcards and quick questions can help with recall.

If you take an Internal Medicine refresher course, be smart about it. Review all the material beforehand, and do 1200 Qbank questions. This will help you to absorb as much information as possible. Schedule any in-person Internal Medicine refresher courses right before you need to take your Internal Medicine Boards.

In conclusion, preparing for the ABIM Board Examination requires strategic planning, understanding your unique learning style, utilizing effective exam prep techniques, and developing an ABIM study schedule. Incorporating active study methods such as practice questions, flashcards, and writing your own questions can improve your score. Incorporating study breaks, managing stress, and setting achievable goals is vital to enhance your focus. Leveraging tools such as comprehensive ABIM apps and audio resources can incorporate learning into your daily routine, making studying for the Internal Medicine Board examination easier and increasing board review efficacy. Incorporating these tips into your exam prep will prepare you for exam mastery.

Sources:
1. Guerrasio J, Nogar C, Rustici M, Lay C, Corral J. Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies for Coaching Medical Learners Based on Identified Areas of Struggle. MedEdPORTAL J Teach Learn Resour. 2017;13:10593. doi:10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10593

2. Sleight DA, Mavis BE. Study Skills and Academic Performance among Second-Year Medical Students in Problem-Based Learning. Med Educ Online. 2006;11(1):4599. doi:10.3402/meo.v11i.4599

3. Gurpinar E, Alimoglu MK, Mamakli S, Aktekin M. Can learning style predict student satisfaction with different instruction methods and academic achievement in medical education? Adv Physiol Educ. 2010;34(4):192-196. doi:10.1152/advan.00075.2010