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Application
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the information below
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Instructions and Information to
Candidates for the Certifying Examination
This information was prepared by the staff of the American Board of
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in order to provide candidates with a
better understanding of the application process and how the examination
is conducted. It does not list the prerequisites and requirements
necessary to qualify for the examination, the dates for receipt of
applications, or the dates and location of the examination. This and
related policy information are available in the Board's Bylaws booklet
that was sent by the Executive Secretary or will be mailed to candidates
following approval of their application to challenge the examination.
Processing of the Application
The processing of an application takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
The procedure for processing applications includes the following steps:
1. A review of the application is made to determine that all required
information is complete, the necessary documents are included, and the
$1,000 fee is enclosed. If the application is not complete, it will be returned
to the candidate. An incomplete application will not be processed until
a complete application has been received.
2. If the application is complete, a letter will be sent to the
candidate acknowledging receipt of the application indicating that the
application will be processed.
3. The evaluation form is sent to the candidates most recent or
principal training director and reference forms are sent to the other
individuals listed in the application as references. In order to prevent
any delay in the processing of the application, the candidate is asked
to request that those listed in the application as references promptly
complete and return the forms.
4. After all the reference forms have been returned to the Board office,
the application is reviewed by the Credentials Committee, which
determines if the training requirements have been fulfilled. A candidate
may not challenge an examination unless declared eligible by the
Credentials Committee.
5. The candidate is notified by letter regarding Board eligibility. For
those declared Board eligible, the period of time during which the
candidate may challenge the examination is five years. When a Board
eligible candidate desires to challenge an examination, he or she must
declare their intention to do so by submitting an Examination
Registration Form.
Information Sent to Candidates
If a candidate is declared eligible and has applied to challenge an
examination, the following materials will be forwarded approximately 6
weeks prior to the examination:
1. A schedule of the examination giving dates and times of the various
sections of the examination.
2. A reservation form for making hotel reservations that is to be mailed
directly to the hotel. Because of time schedules, it is suggested that
the candidates stay at the hotel adjacent to the examination site,
unless the candidate lives in that city.
3. Behavioral guidelines.
Travel and Hotel Accommodations
All candidates are responsible for their own travel and hotel
accommodation arrangements and all their expenses. The Board will ask
the hotel to make an adequate number of rooms available for candidates,
but does not make individual arrangements. Candidates are responsible
for reporting to the examination site at the time stated on the
examination schedule form.
It is very difficult to keep the temperature in the examination rooms at
a level that is satisfactory to all. Frequently, some find it too warm
and others too cool. It is strongly suggested that those persons
sensitive to cooler temperatures bring a sweater or jacket to the
examination room.
Preparations for the Examination
In preparing for the examination, the candidate should do the
following:
1. Become familiar with the formats of the questions used.
2. Bring several #2 pencils with erasers. Other grades of pencils or
pens are not acceptable.
3. Nikon Alphaphot 2 microscopes with 10X widefield oculars, 4X, 10X,
40X, 100X oil immersion objectives, mechanical stages, abbe condensers,
and built-in light sources are provided in the examination center, but
candidates may bring their own if they wish. If so, include an extra
bulb. Ancillary microscopic tools (e.g. polarizing lenses) will not be
supplied. Candidates should bring any and all ancillary tools that they
believe they may need whether or not they bring their own microscope.
Examination Scoring and Candidate Anonymity
The candidate will receive a coded candidate number at the beginning
of the examination that will be used to identify each candidate on all
four parts of the examination. The Directors will not "break" the code
that identifies the individual until after scoring of the examination is
complete. The candidate should help ensure their anonymity during the
examination by keeping any reference to their candidate number (on
examination booklets or microscopic slide boxes) concealed
Description of Examinations
Microscope set up: On the days of the surgical examinations, if the
candidate is not using one of the microscopes provided, they should go to the examination site 30 minutes prior to the
scheduled examination starting time and set up their microscope. After
the microscope has been set up and the candidate is assured of its
working order, the candidate may leave the room, but should remain
nearby.
SURGICAL:
The surgical pathology portion of the examination is administered in two
parts. The first part is administered on the first day of the
examination and consists of 35 oral and maxillofacial pathology
microscopic cases. The second part is administered on the second day of
the examination and consists of 20 additional oral and maxillofacial
pathology microscopic cases and 15 general pathology microscopic cases.
Each part may include one or two cytologic preparations. Each portion of
the surgical examination has a time limit of four hours. For the oral
and maxillofacial pathology cases, the candidate will provide
microscopic diagnoses. All categories of disease will be covered.
On the diagnosis line, write the most likely diagnosis and be as
specific as possible. If special stains or other procedures are
necessary to establish a more definitive diagnosis, these should be
placed in the comment section along with alternative diagnostic
considerations. For example:
Diagnosis: Gingiva: sarcomatoid malignant neoplasm suggestive of spindle
cell carcinoma.
Comment: Although the clinical and histologic features are interpreted
to be most suggestive of spindle cell carcinoma, the differential
diagnosis of this neoplasm includes melanoma and leiomyosarcoma, among
others. Immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratin, S100 protein,
HMB-45, smooth muscle actin, and desmin could potentially help clarify
the nature of this malignant neoplasm.
If the diagnosis does not require further clarification, leave the
comment section blank. Everything written will be considered in the
scoring process. Inappropriate or inaccurate comments will adversely
affect the score. Critical errors(for example, diagnosing a benign
lesion as malignant) will also be considered in the overall assessment.
For each of the general pathology cases, the candidate will list the
specific organ or tissue and provide the microscopic diagnosis of any
pathologic process(es) identified.
WRITTEN:
The written examination consists of 200 multiple-choice questions viewed
on a computer monitor and has a time limit of 4 hours. It includes
theoretic, interpretive, and statistical aspects of pathology. The
candidate controls the amount of time spent on each question, and may
return to previously viewed questions at any time.
CLINICAL:
The clinical examination is a single examination and consists of 50
cases. The examination has a time limit of 2 1/2 hours. For each case,
one or two images will appear on the candidate's computer monitor,
together with a brief clinical history and/or a question. All answers
are fill-in-the-blank format, requiring either a single diagnosis or a
brief differential diagnosis to be legibly written in the test booklet.
The candidate may view each case for as long as he or she desires and
can return to previously viewed cases. The section focuses on the
clinical aspects of disease, but may include correlation with
immunofluorescence or other clinical laboratory studies.
Question Formats
For the surgical pathology portion of the examination, the question
number correlates with the slide (case) number. The candidate is asked
to list their diagnosis for each case in the space provided. A small
amount of additional space is provided for comments, if the candidate
needs to qualify an opinion or indicate the need for special studies.
The written examination uses an objective, multiple-choice question
format. The Board has prepared samples of the types of questions currently
included in the written and clinical examinations. Candidates will find
it helpful to study the instructions accompanying these samples and
become familiar with the various formats. Certain questions test the
candidate’s recognition of the similarity or dissimilarity of pathologic
processes. Other questions evaluate the candidate's judgment as to cause
and effect, the lack of causal relationships, or the clinical
implications.
The candidate’s score will be based on the total number of correct
answers. In the written and clinical portions of the examination, there
is no penalty imposed for incorrect answers. In the surgical portions of
the examination, critical errors are assessed an additional penalty.
SAMPLE QUESTION TYPES
Multiple-Choice
Directions: each of the following questions or incomplete statements is
followed by three to five suggested answers. Select the
one answer that is best in each case.
The oral manifestations of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome include:
A) multiple papillomas.
B) gingival hyperplasia.
C) sebaceous glands in the oral mucosa.
D) silver pigmentation of the oral mucosa.
E) multiple pigmented macules.
ANSWER: E.
Completion
This type of question is used on the clinical examination and will ask
for a single diagnosis or several differential diagnoses.
The most likely diagnosis for this 2.0 cm palatal mass is:
or
List three differential diagnoses for this 2.0 cm palatal mass.
Source of Questions
All ABOMP Directors submit questions to the Board. Only questions
evaluated by the test construction committee and found to be appropriate
and unambiguous are accepted as valid test questions. A formula/matrix
is used to ensure that all aspects of oral and maxillofacial pathology
are tested and no single subject receives undue emphasis.
Conduct of the Examination
1. Assigned seats and name cards: In the examination room,
candidates should sit at their assigned seat. The name card at their
seat should not be removed. Times listed on the schedule are the
actual starting times of the examination. The candidate is expected
to be at his/her seat and ready to take the examination at the
designated time.
2. Personal items in the examination room: The only personal
items permitted in the examination room are #2 pencils, and erasers,
and microscopes during the surgical pathology examinations.
Specifically excluded are all calculators (a calculator is available
on the computer), personal organizers, books, notes, and any other
papers. Pagers, cell phones, and other communication devices are not
allowed in the examination room.
3. Note taking: No notes of any kind may be made during or
between examinations while in the examination room. A candidate may
be subject to disciplinary action should this occur. Examination
booklets may be used for calculations, etc. All examination booklets
must be returned intact at the completion of the examination.
4. Examination booklets and scoring: Each candidate will have
an examination booklet for the surgical and clinical examinations,
and an examination instruction booklet for the written portion of
the exam. The candidate should follow instructions for each specific
examination.
5. Computer usage: Before the start of the written and
clinical examinations there will be a practice test so that
candidates can become familiar with the computer testing process.
The items contained in the practice test will not be scored. All
questions will be displayed on the computer screen; candidates will
enter their answers by pressing one of five computer keys. There
will be a help screen, if needed. Computer skills are not needed to
take this examination.
6. Microscopic slides: For the surgical pathology
examinations, the number of the question will correspond with the
number of the appropriate slide. Thus, slide #25 will correspond
with question #25 in the examination booklet. The slides should be
kept in the original order.
7. Examination conclusion: When the chief examiner announces
the end of the examination, all activity in regard to answering
questions must cease. No additional questions are to be answered.
Any candidate who continues to work on the examination after the
announced end of the examination will be disqualified.
8. Smoking and beverages: No smoking is permitted at
candidate positions during the examination. No water or other
beverages are permitted at candidate positions during the
examination. A water fountain will be available just outside the
room.
9. Restroom breaks: Only one male and one female candidate at
a time are permitted to leave the examination room. While away from
the table, the examination booklet should be turned over.
10. Communication between candidates: Communication between
candidates during an examination is absolutely prohibited.
11. Questions concerning the exam: Examination proctors will
only answer questions about the general conduct of the examination.
They will not answer questions about specific questions on the
examination. Queries from candidates will be reported by the
examiners to the appropriate committee for assessment.
Irregularities
The examination will be supervised by Board Directors to ensure that
the examination is properly conducted in accordance with the rules of
the Board.
In the interest of protecting the integrity of the ABOMP and its
certification examinations, the following irregular behaviors may be
sufficient to bar a person from future examinations, to terminate one's
participation in the examination, to invalidate the results of one's
examination, to cause the withholding or revocation of one’s scores or
certificate, or to merit other appropriate action by the Board.
1. The giving or receiving of aid in the examination as evidenced by
observation.
2. The unauthorized possession, reproduction, or disclosure of any ABOMP
examination-related materials, including, but not limited to,
examination questions or answers, before, during, or after the
examination.
3. The offering of any benefit to any agent of the Board in return for
any right, privilege, or benefit which is not usually granted by the
Board to other similarly situated candidates or persons.
In addition, the Board may withhold a candidate’s scores and require
that the candidate retake the examination if presented with sufficient
evidence that the security of the examination has been compromised,
notwithstanding the absence of any evidence of the candidate's personal
involvement in such activities.
At the completion of the surgical examinations, the Proctor will check
the box of microscopic slides as to order and number.
Queries During Examinations
In spite of the great care exercised in the proofreading of
examinations, typographical errors may occasionally occur. In
practically all instances, these are simple spelling or typing errors
and the meaning is readily apparent. Out of fairness to all candidates
taking the examination, examiners and proctors are instructed not to
answer individual questions, make judgments, or interpret a possible
error. Candidates should exercise their own judgment. Nonetheless, if a
candidate feels that an error exists, the candidate should bring his or
her concern to the attention of a Proctor during or immediately
following that section of the examination. The Board reviews the
examination prior to scoring. If the Board determines that an error is
critical to correctly answering a question, that question will be
eliminated from the final scoring of the examination.
Retaking the Examination
The fee to retake the examination is also $1,000. The fee and
Examination
Registration Form must be postmarked by June1st.
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ABOMP Application for Certification
Download our Application
here. It is a
Microsoft Word document
that you can edit, print and send to us.
Updated 05/2007
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