Factors associated with successful passage of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine general examination

BACKGROUND: Board certification relies on passing the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) general examination. Pass rates might depend on properties of residency training programs (RTP). HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that <4 weeks of dedicated study time, lack of board preparation lectures, status as a re‐taker, and private practice RTP would result in lower pass rates of the ACVIM general examination. SUBJECTS: Two hundred forty‐eight ACVIM general examinees. METHODS: Cross‐sectional study. Examinees were surveyed using a Qualtrics survey over a 3‐year period. Factors included: study weeks, on‐call duty, board preparation lectures, academic or private practice program, and status as a re‐taker. RESULTS: First‐attempt examinees were more likely to pass (P < .0001, OR 5.12, 95% CI [2.53, 10.52]). For first‐attempt examinees, on‐call duty during study weeks resulted in a lower pass rate (P = .002, OR 0.31, 95% CI [0.16, 0.67]). General didactic and specific board‐preparation lectures resulted in higher pass rates (P = .003, OR 3.08, 95% CI [1.44, 6.61]; P = .02, OR 3.04, 95% CI [1.20, 7.68]). Diplomate‐led board‐preparation lectures resulted in higher pass rates than resident‐led (P = .007, OR 10.67, 95% CI [1.75, 64.91]). Using a mixed effect logistic model, predicted pass rates were highest with both lack of on‐call duty and presence of didactic lectures (predicted pass rate 95%, 95% CI [0.87, 0.98]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To optimize pass rates, RTP should provide study time without on‐call duty. Provision of didactic lectures and specific board‐preparation lectures by diplomates assist in candidate preparation.