The 5 W’s and How of the APMLE PART II
Who?
The National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) offers the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exams (APMLE) which consist of four components: Part I, Part II Written, Part II Clinical Skills Patient Encounter (CSPE), and Part III. The NBPME has partnered with Prometric Inc. to conduct Part I, Part II written, and Part III of the APMLE. The NBPME has contracted the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), however, to conduct the Part II CSPE beginning in 2016. To register for the Part II written examination, log onto https://www.prometric.com/NBPME to schedule an appointment and pay the examination fee of $925. To register for the Part II CSPE, log onto https://www.nbome.org to schedule an appointment and pay the examination fee of $1,230.
What?
The Part II written examination of the APMLE assesses clinical knowledge on subjects including medicine; radiology; orthopedics, biomechanics and sports medicine; anesthesia and surgery; and community health, jurisprudence, and research. Specific subject areas tested can be found on page 19 here: https://www.apmle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Part-II-CIB-Update-for-2021_8.1.2020-003. pdf. The exam consists of 205 questions (four-option multiple choice format) and the examinee is allotted 4 hours to complete the Part II written examination with no scheduled breaks. Highlight and strike-out features are available to use on the exam. Scoring for the Part II written examination is similar to Part I. The scaled passing score has been set by the NBPME at 75 and passing candidates will receive a score report indicating a “pass.” It should be noted that performance on the Part II written examination does not impact eligibility for the Part II CSPE.
The Part II CSPE a ssesses podiatric and general medicine, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills in the clinical setting. It is a pass/fail examination. The examinee is expected to perform 12 patient encounters (including a detailed history and physical examination and written SOAP note) for both podiatric and general medicine presentations. Chief complaints can pertain to systemic, dermatologic, vascular, musculoskeletal, and neurologic categories. Cases can vary with gender/age, acute/sub-acute/chronic presentations, presentation (hospital admission or pre-operative), and 20% of the cases will include a radiographic image that will need to be evaluated. Each patient encounter lasts 15 minutes and the examinee is expected to write a patient note in 10 minutes unless the encounter is
performed under 15 minutes then the remaining time can be used to start the patient note. It is important to note that credit will not be given on the patient note for writing examinations you would have done o r questions you would have asked if time permitted. The examination lasts 7.5 hours and 2 breaks are provided (one 30 minute break and one 15 minute break). Students are required to have their own stethoscope; all other required items will be provided in the patient room. It should be noted that performance on the Part II CSPE does not impact eligibility for the Part II written examination. A list of approved medical abbreviations as well as a sample patient note can be found here (pg. 25-27): https://www.apmle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CSPE-2020-09.24.20.pdf.
When?
Part II Exam Dates
Tues, January 5, 2021
Wed, February 17, 2021
Wed, May 5, 2021
Registration Opens
Mon, August 3, 2020
Mon, January 25, 2021
Mon, March 8, 2021
Registration Deadline
Fri, December 18, 2020
Wed, February 10, 2021
Fri, April 23, 2021
Score Release Date
January 22, 2021
March 5, 2021 May 26, 2021
The scaled passing score is set to 75, and the exam is categorized as Pass or Fail. There are no limits to the number of times you may retake the exam (retake dates are italicized above). Although, WesternU thus far has a 96.15% Part II pass rate and a 100% CSPE pass rate.
All requests for refunds or cancellations must be written to Prometric by emailing NBPMEinquiry@prometric.com or faxing 800-813-6670.
Refund/Reschedule:
● More ○ ○
● 11 to ○ ○
than 28 days prior to the scheduled exam date:
Can receive a REFUND but will incur a $100 service fee.
Can transfer to another testing center, but only for the same exam date.
28 days prior to the scheduled exam date:
No refunds.
Can reschedule exam once for a $100 fee, but must be rescheduled within the next 2 exam dates.
In regards to
2022 due to the ongoing pandemic. Normally, registration for the exam began in April in order to take the exam between August and November. ONLY for the Class of 2021, an exception has been made where the exam can be taken between October 1, 2020 - February 19, 2021 or prior to completion of their residency.
Where?
Test centers within a 50 mile radius of the nine schools of podiatric medicine have a reserved number of seats on each Part II exam date. This includes exam sites in or near Chicago,
the Part II CSPE, the exam dates have not yet been determined for the Class of
Cleveland, Des Moines, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Testing is available at any one of the Prometric test center locations.
Why?
According to the Candidate Information Bulletin on American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam, Part II examinations (written examination and CSPE) must be taken and passed in order to become eligible for Part III. Part II CSPE assess proficiency in podiatric clinical tasks needed to enter residency.
How?
We have interviewed current 4th year students to learn about their current preparations for APMLE Part II examinations. Their answers are written below.
Student #1:
Although every individual has their own studying preference that best caters to their learning, I have compiled some strategies based on the advice gathered from upperclassmen.
Remember BoardVitals (www.boardvitals.com)? You may recall previously using this resource during 2nd year for studying APMLE Part 1 boards. Well BoardVitals returns once again, but this time for APMLE Part 2 boards. Although the question banks mostly consist of first-order questions, this may be used as a pre-assessment tool to evaluate your current strengths and weaknesses of each subject.
→ If you feel that your Medicine section requires more attention, “Step-Up to Medicine” is recommended for further learning.
→ For further review of Anesthesia section, refer to the Anesthesia chapter in McGlamry’s Comprehensive Textbook of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Student #2:
It is important to start your preparations early. Crozer-Keystone Residency Manual and the extended version of Prism is extremely important for your podiatry rotations, externships, APMLE Part II, and interview preparations. However, Watkin’s Manual of Foot and Ankle Medicine and Surgery and/or The P.I. Manual contains all the information needed to prepare well for the APMLE Part II exam. It is also important to actively read these resources by taking notes and applying that information to practice questions.
Three months prior to the exam, you should start working on BoardVitals practice questions. Two passes through those questions should be adequate to prepare for the exam. In order to acquire the absolute benefit from the practice questions, it is important to create a document of information that you are unable to recall or unfamiliar with while going through the practice questions. Then, you should review that document before sitting for the exam.
While going through the practice questions, it is important to simulate the actual test taking experience by going through practice exams. There are 2 practice exams from 2005 and 2008 which contain 3 mini exams within them. There are also two online practice exams on the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination website. Also, unfamiliar and unable to recall information can be added to the document that you have created while doing BoardVitals questions.
During the month of December, our professors provide us with PowerPoint presentations or Q & A sessions for each of the subjects in the exam. It is important to prepare prior to these sessions, with above mentioned resources, to attain the absolute benefit of these sessions. However, I strongly advise you not to rely on these sessions alone for the exam. These sessions will help you to solidify the information that you have learned during your own preparations.
Student #3:
During 3r d year rotations and 4t h year externships, I took notes in my Prism 2015. Personally, I prefer the layout of Prism for my preparations however Crozer-Keystone Residency Manual can be helpful. I have found the Crozer anki deck to be very helpful for review as well. If I could go back and redo my preparations, I would definitely start early to integrate Crozer-Keystone Residency Manual to clinical rotations and externships. Along with Crozer and Prism 2015, I am also using Watkins Manual of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Medicine for review as well. I started
to make an outline based off of Watkins and add additional notes from clinic, prism, or class lectures.
I started on BoardVitals practice questions in June of 2020 and tried about 10 questions per day. It can be difficult during rotations and externships to stay in track with the practice questions therefore I tried to do more practice questions on “lighter” rotations to stay in track. Therefore, I was able to finish the 1500+ questions by December of 2020. As I was going through the practice questions, I made a document of questions I answered wrong and took some light notes on topics that I was not very strong on. As of now, I am reviewing that document to refresh on the material. Along with BoardVitals questions, there are also practice tests which I am planning to take prior to the test date.
Starting your preparations early on is very important because clinical rotations and externships can be very tiring towards the end. Thus, doing BoardVitals early on and being consistent about doing a small amount everyday can be very helpful. I recommend you to start with Crozer and BoardVitals early on, study a little bit every single day, and be consistent with it as much as you can.
Student #4:
Most people say to use Watkins Manual of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Medicine
(pocket pod) and then Prism/Crozer to study along with Board Vitals practice questions. I believe we are studying and preparing for APMLE Part II exams while we are on our externships. Overall, from what I have heard from my upperclassmen, Watkins alone is more than enough for APMLE Part 2.
Student #5:
I have reviewed and added notes from clinic to Crozer and Prism during my 3r d year rotations and 4t hyear externships. As my last steps in preparing for the exam, I am reading Watkins Manual of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Medicine while doing board vitals questions. I also plan to do the 2 online practice exams prior to the test date.