ABOS Part II Mock Oral Exam Checklist for Orthopedic Surgery Candidates
A structured checklist for faculty, peers, and SurgiTest sessions so every mock oral produces actionable feedback instead of vague reassurance.
Key takeaways
- A useful mock oral should mimic timing, selected-case pressure, examiner follow-up, and immediate structured feedback.
- Each case should evaluate indication, imaging interpretation, technical plan, complication response, outcome awareness, and professional communication.
- Feedback should identify repeatable behaviors to fix, not merely say good job or read more.
- The final checklist should include logistics, privacy, PHI removal, timing, and a remediation plan for the next session.
Set up the mock oral like an examination, not a casual conversation
- Use de-identified selected-case summaries and images only.
- Run timed blocks that approximate four 30-minute periods when feasible.
- Assign one examiner to challenge indication and another to challenge technique, outcome, and complication management.
- Require the candidate to speak in complete answers rather than reading notes.
- Capture omissions, unsafe statements, rambling, and timing problems in writing.
Grade visible behaviors after every case
| Behavior | Passing signal | Needs remediation signal |
|---|---|---|
| Data gathering | Candidate identifies the facts that change management. | Candidate asks generic questions or misses the decisive risk. |
| Diagnosis and interpretation | Candidate connects imaging, exam, and pathology. | Candidate names the diagnosis but cannot justify it. |
| Treatment plan | Candidate selects a defensible plan and alternatives. | Candidate lists options without choosing or counseling. |
| Technical skill | Candidate describes an ordered operation with verification. | Candidate jumps from incision to closure without critical steps. |
| Outcomes | Candidate knows follow-up, complications, and function. | Candidate cannot explain what happened after surgery. |
| Applied knowledge | Candidate rescues complications safely. | Candidate delays escalation or gives a vague consult-only answer. |
End each mock oral with a repair prescription
- 01
One safety behavior
Name the single unsafe or incomplete behavior that must not recur.
- 02
One structure behavior
Choose a repeatable answer scaffold that will make future cases clearer.
- 03
One case-list behavior
Identify the selected case that requires deeper review or better outcome knowledge.
- 04
One timing behavior
Set a target for opening, operative description, and complication branch timing.
Put the framework under pressure
Rehearse the exact decisions in your own cases.
Voice-first cases, adaptive examiner follow-up, imaging, complications, and structured educational feedback for orthopedic surgery.
Questions candidates ask
Frequently asked questions
What is the current ABOS Part II Oral Examination format?
ABOS describes the Part II Oral Examination as four 30-minute periods with two examiners in each period and a 5-minute break between periods. Case selectors choose 12 cases from the candidate case list for presentation.
Does the ABOS Part II examination use my own cases?
Yes. ABOS requires candidates to submit a case list, and 12 selected cases are used at the oral examination. SurgiTest Personal Case Uploads are educational rehearsal tools for fully de-identified material and do not submit anything to ABOS.
What must 2027 candidates submit for the case list?
ABOS states that 2027 candidates must collect and submit all consecutive primary-surgeon cases from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026, and at least 35 surgical cases are required for eligibility.
How is the ABOS Part II examination scored?
ABOS states that oral examiners use nine scoring facets with a 0–3 score for each selected case and that 216 total scores are accumulated before adjustment for examiner severity, case difficulty, and skill difficulty.
Does SurgiTest reproduce official or recalled ABOS questions?
No. SurgiTest uses original educational cases and de-identified user practice material aligned to public ABOS format information. It does not solicit or reproduce secure examination content.
Can SurgiTest predict whether I will pass ABOS Part II?
No. SurgiTest provides educational practice, timing trends, and structured feedback. It does not calculate an official ABOS score, replace the ABOS rubric, or guarantee certification.
Source transparency
Official references
Board requirements, dates, and candidate instructions can change. Confirm current details directly with ABOS and the Board’s candidate portal.
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