ABEM ITE · Study plan
ABEM In-Training Exam (ITE) Study Plan
The ABEM In-Training Exam (ITE) is the annual gauge of where you sit against the EM knowledge base defined by the ABEM Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. This 8-week schedule is built for busy residents — it pairs short daily blocks with RescueEM's four study formats (audio, slides, infographic, MCQs) so you can study on shift, at lunch, or on the drive home.
Quick facts
| Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based (proctored at your program) |
|---|---|
| Duration | ≈ 5 hours |
| Questions | ≈ 225 |
| Content model | ABEM Model of the Clinical Practice of EM |
| Frequency | Once per year (typically late Feb / early Mar) |
| Passing score | No pass/fail — reported as scaled score + percentile vs peers |
| Cost | Included in ABEM program fee |
Exam formats change — always confirm current rules with the official governing body before your sitting.
Week-by-week schedule
Week 1
Cardiovascular + Resuscitation
- ACS & STEMI equivalents
- Arrhythmias & ACLS
- CHF / cardiogenic shock
- Cardiac arrest & post-arrest care
- Aortic emergencies
Study format: Audio on commute · Infographic review before bed · 30 MCQs/day
Week 2
Respiratory + Airway
- Asthma & COPD exacerbation
- PE & pleural disease
- Airway assessment & RSI
- Ventilator basics
- Pneumonia & pneumothorax
Study format: Slides at lunch · Audio on commute · 30 MCQs/day
Week 3
Trauma + Orthopedics
- ATLS primary survey
- Head & spine trauma
- Blunt & penetrating chest/abdomen
- Pelvic & long-bone injuries
- Ortho red flags & compartment syndrome
Study format: Slides + infographic combo · 40 MCQs/day
Week 4
Neurology + Toxicology
- Stroke & TIA
- Seizures & status
- Headache red flags
- Toxidromes & antidotes
- Common overdoses (APAP, TCA, salicylate, opioid)
Study format: Audio-heavy week · 40 MCQs/day
Week 5
GI + GU + Endocrine
- Acute abdomen & bowel obstruction
- GI bleed
- Renal colic & UTI/pyelo
- DKA / HHS / adrenal crisis
- Electrolyte emergencies
Study format: Slides at lunch · 40 MCQs/day
Week 6
Peds + OB/GYN + ID
- Pediatric fever & sepsis
- Peds resuscitation & PALS
- Ectopic & 1st-trimester bleeding
- Postpartum emergencies
- Sepsis & meningitis
Study format: Infographic-first · 40 MCQs/day
Week 7
Environmental, Derm, Psych, EMS
- Hypo/hyperthermia & drowning
- Envenomations & bites
- Rashes not to miss (SJS/TEN, meningococcemia)
- Agitation & suicide risk
- EMS operations & disaster
Study format: Mixed formats · 30 MCQs/day
Week 8
Weak-area drill + full-length mock
- Insights view → target lowest 2 chapters
- Timed 150-Q mock exam
- Review every miss + rationale
- Spaced-repetition queue clean-up
Study format: One 3-hr mock + focused MCQ blocks
How to use RescueEM for ABEM ITE
- Audio — every topic as a podcast for the drive to work.
- Slides — quick lunchtime review of the same topic.
- Infographic — one-page visual before bed.
- MCQs — exam-style questions with rationales + SM-2 spaced repetition.
High-yield topics
- Wide-complex tachycardia algorithm
- Massive transfusion triggers
- Toxidromes cheat sheet
- Pediatric vital sign ranges by age
- Sepsis 1-hour bundle
- PECARN / Canadian CT head rules
- Ottawa ankle/knee rules
- Common ECG pitfalls (Wellens, De Winter, hyperkalemia, Brugada)
Exam-day tips
- Don't cram the night before — sleep is worth more than 20 extra questions reviewed.
- Use the flag-and-return strategy: never spend > 90 seconds on a question before flagging.
- Trust your first instinct on clinical vignettes — changes usually go from right to wrong.
- Read the last sentence of the stem first, then scan the vignette for what actually matters.
- Bring layers — testing centers are cold.
FAQ
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