There has always been a line in the sand for folks as to whether it's important or not to go after the CBET. For the most part, it can be chalked up to situational since it makes sense for some more so than others. I have always been a proponent that certification is a good thing and something we as professionals should strive to attain. While there are instances where people pass the exam on the first try it's not as common as one might think. So who is the exam for then? It is for those who want to distinguish themselves from their peers, but add an extra notch of credibility on your belt. As you build on your career you might find yourself in a leadership capacity, dealing with those prickly department heads, or accreditation TJV/DNV folks. I will tell you it doesn't hurt your chances of getting raises or promotions either. The reason many companies offer reimbursement for passing the exam is that having the CBET lends credibility to the organization that employs you. Let's not discount the fact that some health systems list it as a requirement to have the certification within a year of hiring. What they likely won't mention is that you probably are just going to be passed up on since you didn't have it in the first place.

 I do not believe anyone should be discouraged from taking the CBET because of the "toughness' ' of the exam or because you failed on the first try. I was one of those people who took the exam years ago and failed by a few questions. You can imagine I was disappointed and thereafter convinced myself that it was an unnecessary evil that I shied away from for years. What I came to realize is that in taking my career seriously along with my credibility, getting the CBET was important. I also found that I have people who follow my example and see me as an influencer of what they should do for their careers. What I'm trying to explain is that YOU need to look inside yourself and decide what is important. If you don't care about the CBET, I say carry on, and best of luck with your endeavors.

Last year I decided I was going to get it done once and for all. I knew it was going to be hard because at the time my son was less than 6 months old when I had taken the exam. I had to hold myself accountable to study so I would lay out an hour of study time in the mornings or even in the middle of the night after I put him back down to sleep. I'm not saying this to boast, but to let you know that if you make the time good things will come your way. As with anything in life if you come into something half-assed how can you expect the same results as someone who dedicated more energy than you?

There are many resources available to you for studying for the exam. AAMI provides an online study group hosted by David Scott & Donald Armstrong which I would recommend as the best way to go. Next, you have the AAMI self-paced online module instruction available for purchase. Lastly, you have Quizlet flashcards which can come in clutch for two reasons: One is that they hit on so many topic points but two, they are a great way to get a quick review sweep right before the test. I would likely suggest a combination of the online study group which comes with study material as well paired with the Quizlet flashcards. This is my opinion on the matter. Do what you feel would work best for yourself.

I'm going to offer you some suggestions if you plan to take the CBET. Do not start studying the month you plan on taking the exam. You need to do this at least a month in advance so the material becomes a part of your daily ritual. Lay out an hour at least a couple of times a week so you become familiar with the material to the point you reciting factoids at work to people belligerently, lol. What I did the night before was I took each subject test and full final exam practice test and went to bed. I woke up, ate a good breakfast, got to the site about 20 minutes early, and hit some flashcards on Quizlet to round out my game. When you take the test and see a question you aren't sure about, skip it and come back so you can focus further energy on it later without losing key time to take the whole exam. You will be unsure about several questions and that is alright. Lean into your strong points first so you tackle the harder stuff more tactfully. I don't recommend going back and changing up answers you are wishy-washy about unless you truly are sure you selected the wrong answer. When you decide on an answer, be as absolute as possible, because if you spend your remaining time going through the whole test changing all of your answers you likely will do a disservice to your chances of passing.

The CBET can be a great thing to build on your career. You can do anything you set your mind to if you believe in yourself and put in the work. Find a buddy or a group you can tackle this endeavor together with. Biomeds are always faced with obstacles and new challenges to test our merit. We constantly are expected to learn, grow, and adapt daily. Do this for yourself, and your career, and continue pushing towards greater heights. I wish you the best of luck and "May the beard be with you"!