Oral Exam

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Obstetrics and Gynecology oral exam, candidates must meet the criteria below:

• Be a graduate of a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine or an LCME accredited medical school in the U.S. or Canada.
  • Physicians who graduated from a medical school outside of the U.S. or Canada are also eligible if they hold a valid certificate, without expired examination dates, from the ECFMG.
• Must have written confirmation of an AOA-approved or ACGME accredited residency training approved as complete.
• Have passed the AOBOG Obstetrics and Gynecology Primary Written Exam or the ABOG Obstetrics and Gynecology Qualifying Exam.
• Hold an active license to practice in the U.S., its territories or Canada.
• Adhere to the AOA Code of Ethics.

Requirements

At the time of application, you must submit the following to the AOBOG:

• Completed application and fees.
• Documentation confirming that your AOA or ACGME residency training has been recognized as complete. If this information is not already on file with the AOA/AOBOG, we will work with you to get this documentation.

Exam Fees

An exam fee of $3,275 must accompany your completed application. No application will be considered complete until all fees have been paid. Applications received after the first deadline and before the final deadline must also include a 30% late fee.

Exam Dates and Deadlines

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Oral Exam is offered twice each year, spring and fall. Through the Fall 2024 administration, the exam will be administered via remote proctoring. Beginning in 2025, the exam will return to in-person administrations in Chicago, Illinois. The application period opens approximately six months and closes approximately three months prior to the exam date.

Exams are typically given on Friday and Saturday. Candidates will be assigned one exam session, either Friday morning, Friday afternoon, Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon.

There is a cap on the number of candidates that can be accepted for each administration of the Primary Oral Exam.  The application period will close when the cap is reached or on the published deadlines, whichever comes first.

For a list of currently scheduled exam dates, please visit our Important Dates page.

Exam Content

The Primary Obstetrics and Gynecology Oral Exam is a four-hour objective exam and consists of presentations of case scenarios based on the care of the female patient. The candidate will be expected to explain the role of the history and physical (including osteopathic diagnosis), workup and evaluation, outcome expectations, and benefit vs. risks of treatment options.

The candidate will be examined by AOBOG-board certified examiners that have been selected from the AOBOG Board of Examiners. The candidate will rotate through three stations with a break between stations. Monitors, who are examiners for the Board, may be discreetly present during the examination and breaks.  Their role is to observe the conduct of the examination in order to assure that it is administered according to AOBOG standards; they are not involved in the grading of the candidates.

Three exam stations will use three scenarios each developed from the below topic list. The exam stations will use a minimum of three scenarios each developed from the below topic list. Included with each scenario may be visual slides, ultrasound images, video clips, or fetal heart rate tracings to aid in establishing scenario content.

• General Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Office Based
  • Hospital Based
  • Outpatient Based
• Gynecologic Oncology
  • Neoplasms of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and those associated with pregnancy
  • Questions regarding workup and diagnosis of other common neoplasms of the female (breast, colon or other)
• Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Urinary stress incontinence/ genital prolapse
  • Sexual dysfunction/ pain syndromes
• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility:
  • Contraception management
  • Ultrasonography of the female pelvis
  • Workup and treatment of the infertile couple
• Maternal Fetal Medicine:
  • Evaluation of the high-risk pregnancy
  • Early screening tests and diagnostic workup
  • Interventions available during pregnancy
• Questions Relevant to Professionalism, Communication Skills and Life Long Learning:
  • Protocols
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Patient Safety
  • Drills

Exam Day Process

Through Fall 2024: Remote proctored exams

• Candidates will be assigned to a morning or afternoon session on either of the posted examination dates. Assignments can be expected approximately two months prior to the exam date.
• The exam is conducted virtually. Candidates will need a computer with webcam, mobile phone and internet connection. Personal devices and network are highly recommended, as work devices and networks may have firewalls that will not allow the platform to function properly.
• Candidates will receive information regarding technical requirements and pre-checks in advance of the examination. Candidates must read all information and perform any requested actions in a timely fashion or their examination may be cancelled.
• Candidates will be requested to log in to the virtual platform 30-45 minutes in advance of their scheduled exam time. During check-in, candidates must present a current, valid government-issued photo identification during registration (e.g. driver’s license or passport).
• Failure to arrive in time to complete all required security and identity checks may result in automatic cancellation of the exam.

Beginning Spring 2025: In-person exams

• Candidates will be assigned to a morning or afternoon session on either of the posted examination dates. Assignments can be expected approximately two months prior to the exam date.
• The exam is conducted in person in the Chicago, Illinois area. Exact location will be communicated to candidates with their date/time assignments.
• Candidates will be required to register 45 minutes prior to their exam appointment time. Candidates must present a current, valid government-issued photo identification during registration (e.g. driver’s license or passport).
• Candidate orientation will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the exam administration. Candidates must be present for orientation.
• Failure to arrive in time for or participate in registration and/or orientation may results in automatic cancellation of the exam and forfeiture of exam fees.

Why is AOBOG returning to in-person oral exams?

The AOBOG provided remote oral examinations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to return to in-person examinations was made based on the following factors:

• The wide use of vaccinations and additional safety precautions.
• AOBOG’s commitment to administering fair examinations. Virtual examinations increased concerns regarding additional elements of bias, inequity and exam content security.
• Despite improvements and adaptations with each administration and mandatory “technical checks” for candidates before examination day, AOBOG could not account for or address all technical issues that arise on exam day consistently (e.g., internet outages).

Exam Scoring

The oral examination results are individually reviewed and approved by the full Board. The exam may include assessment of osteopathic philosophy/OMM in treatment modalities; interpersonal and communication skills; and professionalism.

Every effort will be made to release results within eight weeks of the exam window. Results are posted to the secure portal used to apply for the exam. Candidates will be notified by email of the results posting.