The AOBFP In-Service Exam (ISE), produced and administered by ACOFP, is a formative exam that will fulfill ACGME standard requirements. It also includes an osteopathic component that will fulfill ACGME’s OPP/OMM formative assessment requirement for programs that have Osteopathic Recognition (OR). This formative assessment is open to DOs, transitional year or preliminary year residents, and MDs in ACGME-accredited programs, with or without osteopathic recognition. The exam consists of 265 questions and is priced at $60 per resident. In 2023, the ISE will be administered on NBOME’s new CATALYST platform, which will deliver the test questions and store their answers. CATALYST is based on cognitive learning principles that include immediate reinforcement, spacing questions over time and interleaving topics. Through CATALYST, questions can be answered whenever convenient, 24/7, via cell phone, computer, tablet or app during the exam administration timeframe.

 Registration for the 2023 In-Service Examination, taking place October 2–16, will open in June 2023.

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ACGME Standard:

V.A.1.c).(7) use an objective validated formative assessment method (e.g., in-training examination, chart stimulated recall).(Detail)
V.A.1.c).(7).(a) This objective formative assessment method must be administered at least annually.(Detail) 

Osteopathic Recognition Requirement:

V.A.2.h)There must be objective formative assessment of osteopathic medical knowledge and procedural skills. This should include: (Core)

V.A.2.h).(1) a standardized assessment of OPP knowledge; and, (Core)
V.A.2.h).(2) an assessment of skill proficiency in OMT, as applicable to the specialty. (Core)

Background and Intent: The requirement for objective formative assessment, including standardized assessment of OPP knowledge, is intended to provide osteopathic faculty members and designated osteopathic residents with information that will allow for comparisons within and external to the program about resident progress toward program completion and practice readiness. Standardized assessment of OPP knowledge across all specialties and provision of assessment-derived information that may serve as an indicator of future performance on AOA board certification examinations is aspirational.