What is the general surgery qualifying exam?

The General Surgery Qualifying Examination (GSQE) is the first of two required exams by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) for surgeons seeking board certification, a comprehensive, ~8-hour, 300-question multiple-choice test covering core surgical knowledge and applied sciences, taken after residency to qualify for the final oral certifying exam. It assesses broad surgical principles in areas like trauma, critical care, breast, endocrine, and GI surgery, and passing it unlocks eligibility for the oral Certifying Examination (CE).

How many questions are on the general surgery qualifying exam?

About the General Surgery Qualifying Examination

The exam consists of about 300 multiple-choice questions, lasting approximately eight hours, designed to evaluate a surgeon's knowledge of general surgical principles and applied science.

What is the pass rate for the general surgery certifying exam?

In 2024, The Pass Machine General Surgery Certifying Board Review clients achieved a 96.2% pass rate on the Certification exam!

What exams do general surgery residents take?

Two exams are required for initial certification in general surgery. Successful completion of both the General Surgery Qualifying Exam (GSQE) and General Surgery Certifying Exam (GSCE) is required for board certification in general surgery.

What is the qe exam?

The purpose of the QE is to determine whether the student has acquired the knowledge and skills that are essential for professional success in HDFS. Required coursework is designed to give the student this exposure and help them develop their writing and critical thinking skills.

ABS General Surgery Qualifying Exam Overview & Strategy Session

Is a qualifying exam stressful?

The qualifying exam can be one of the most uncertain, stressful, and time consuming aspects of graduate education.

What is the hardest general surgery?

One of the most complex surgeries that patients can undergo is surgery related to the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal system. The surgery itself is a lengthy and complex process and requires a team of specialists to carry out the operation.

What is the pass rate for the ABOG qualifying exam 2025?

In 2025, the total ABOG Qualifying Exam pass rate was 87%, and the pass rate for first-time test takers was 90%.

What is the dropout rate for surgery residency?

Attrition within surgical training is a challenge, in the USA, attrition rates are as high as 20–26% [1, 2].

How to study for the general surgery board exam?

Your efforts should primarily be directed on recall and practice questions as you will see on the exam. Similar to ABSITE, you should plan on doing a minimum of 1,000 questions. Review books and textbooks can be used to supplement as needed, but the primary focus should be placed on practice questions.

Can you match general surgery if you fail step 1?

When general surgery residency program directors. Only 1% of programs often consider applicants who have failed. As you can see, the road to match success is difficult for those who have failed the Step 1 exam.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World [Updated List 2026]

• List of Top 10 Toughest Examinations in the World.
• 1) Gaokao Exam of China.
• 2) IIT-JEE Advanced Examination of India.
• 3) UPSC Exams of India.
• 4) ICAI CA/CMA Exams of India.
• 5) Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) of India.
• 6) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

What pays more, a doctor or a surgeon?

— Surgeons rank at the top of the pay scale —

If you're working as a specialist medical doctor in the UK, you earn a basic salary of between £40,037 and £74,661. Salaried GPs get between £58,808 and £88,744. And as a consultant, your basic pay is between £79,860 and £107,668.

How many doctors don't pass boards?

According to the American Board of Internal Medicine, the first-time pass rate for the Internal Medicine Certification Examination has declined to 87% in recent years, meaning more than 1 in 10 candidates fail on their first attempt. The implications of failing medical boards go well beyond a retake.

What happens if you fail ABEM?

Candidates can add themselves to the waitlist immediately after they fail or decline an exam. If a physician fails the examination, they will not be scheduled to retake the exam in a consecutive administration. Candidates who retake exams after failing have no advantage because each exam is different.