ABGC Updates

When I first took the exam and failed, it didn’t affect me too deeply. I reflected on what went wrong and realized I could have studied more. For my second attempt, I reviewed grad school slides, read the Green Book, completed practice questions and connected with others in the same situation. Confident in my preparation, I was devastated to fail again — by just a few points. I was emotionally drained but decided to keep going.

By the third attempt, an updated content outline had been released, and though I was confident, I failed again. I felt stuck in my career and unable to take on new roles, overwhelmed by stagnation. By the fourth attempt, I enrolled in the Study Rare course, but I failed again. I became numb to failure, accepting that I didn’t know when I would pass but determined to keep trying. Finally, I passed on my fifth attempt. Below are the strategies, I believe, that helped me succeed.

1. Focus on Core Concepts for Genetic Conditions

   • To help me in my note taking for genetic conditions, I used the ABGC Content Outline (specifically the subheadings of Domain 1C) to weed out exactly what I needed to know for every condition.

2. Understand, Don’t Just Memorize

   • I struggled with rote memorization, so I focused on understanding why certain features exist. For example, in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), mutations in the MYBPC3/MYH7 genes disrupt sarcomere function, which explains the clinical features.
   • I simplified complex medical jargon using Google to understand terms better. For example, if I did not know what a sarcomere was, Google would tell me that it is the “fundamental unit of muscle contraction consisting of actin and myosin.”

3. Create a Study Plan

   • I made a two-month study plan:
     • Month 1: Focused on Domains 2-5 and made notes for common genetic conditions. Each week I would make notes for a different subset of conditions (Week 1: Cancer, Week 2: Metabolic, etc.)
     • Month 2: Focused on memorizing details of Domain 1 conditions. I found that studying the details closer to the exam date helped me retain the information better.
     • Practice questions were integrated throughout each week.

4. Use Visual Aids

   • I created flowcharts to organize genetic conditions, starting with a broad category and then narrowing down to specifics. For example, starting with organic acidemias, then breaking that category down into symptoms, testing strategies, and treatment options.
   • This approach also helped me during the exam. For example, when presented with symptoms and/or onset details to identify a condition, I’d first determine the type of disorder (e.g., metabolic, cardiac, etc.), then move on to more specific details: Is the condition being identified through specific testing or is there a key feature that sets it apart from others?
   • I created a similar “flowchart” for genetic tests, focusing on the best tests for specific conditions and their advantages and disadvantages.

5. Use Flashcards for Reinforcement:

   • I used Quizlet flashcards to reinforce rote memorization concepts like inheritance patterns and gene/enzyme names. I would test myself while commuting to work or during breaks, ensuring I kept the information fresh in my mind.

6. Prepare for the Test Itself

   • I applied these strategies to nearly every question while taking the exam:
     • I immediately crossed out the obviously incorrect options (Prometric, the test-taking platform used by ABGC, allows you to do this).
     • If a question was lengthy and I felt fatigued, I would skip to the last line, where the main question is usually asked, and then go back and sift through the details. This allowed me to focus on the key information and avoid getting distracted by unnecessary details.
   • I only marked questions for review if they met these criteria:
     • Math problems: Even if I was confident in my answer, I marked math questions for review to double-check for potential rounding errors, which could impact my score.
     • Uncertainty between two options: If I had a gut feeling between two answer choices, I’d go with my gut and not mark it for review. If my gut failed me and I was unsure after narrowing it down to two choices, I marked it for review.
   • I treated the exam as two parts, completing 100 questions at a time and reviewing marked questions before moving on to the next set of 100.

Recommended Resources

1. Study Rare Course & Peer Discussions:
   This course helped me structure my study schedule and allowed me to engage with peers, which was invaluable. Hearing different perspectives on concepts I struggled with often made things click.
2. AI Chatbots and Note-taking Tools:
   AI tools helped me organize and simplify complex notes. For example, I used AI to break down genetic conditions in a structured way that reflected Domain 1C, helping me better organize my thoughts.
3. NSGC Position Statements/Guidelines
4. NCCN Guidelines:
   These guidelines were essential for cancer genetic testing, particularly for breast cancer and Lynch syndrome testing.
5. Etsy Guide and Quizlet Flashcards:
   The Etsy Guide helped me prioritize the most important conditions and concepts, while Quizlet flashcards helped reinforce memorization on the go.
6. Genetic Counseling Communities:
   Online forums like Discord and Reddit were great for discussing strategies, sharing resources and asking questions.
7. Medical Genetics and Genomics: Questions for Board Review (ACMG and ABGC geared practice questions):
   This is a great book for extra questions, though some are not applicable to the ABGC exam.

To anyone struggling with multiple attempts, I want you to know that it’s okay to feel frustrated and/or disappointed. Allow yourself to process those feelings. When you’re ready, make a new plan and try again. If you need someone to talk to or need help finding resources, I’m here. Feel free to reach out! I’m rooting for you!

Header photo  by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash