Reasons given for success after initial failure on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Part II Examination

In an attempt to help understand the Part II oral examinations of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the authors undertook a study to identify the factors that aid candidates in passing the Part II examination after one or more initial failures. A total of 339 diplomates rated 13 reasons hypothesized for passing Part II. The major factors that influenced passing on subsequent attempts were 1) the experience of having taken the examination previously (81%), 2) different examiners (66%), 3) decreased anxiety (61%), 4) additional studying (59%). Other factors suggested by diplomates for passing after initial failures included less fatigue and fewer personal problems.