title: How important are American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination scores when applying for fellowships?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The American Board of Surgery In-Training examination (ABSITE) first was administered in 1975 to evaluate a resident's general knowledge as well as the deficiencies within the resident and surgical program. The added importance of this examination in recent years stems from a correlation between ABSITE performance and performance on the American Board of Surgery qualifying examination. However, data are lacking in regard to how fellowship programs view ABSITE scores when considering applicants. Thus, this study was initiated to determine the importance of the ABSITE for surgical residents applying to fellowships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Program coordinators and directors of various surgical fellowships were sent a short survey in regard to the ABSITE. The data then were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred forty-eight surveys were completed, with 74.8% of the programs ranking the importance of ABSITE scores as 3 or 4 (on a scale of 1 through 5). Most programs (78.9%) reported no minimum percentile requirement. Those that did required a mean percentile of 54.4. Of the programs, 57.8% placed a greater emphasis on the senior examination versus the junior examination (p = 0.06). When compared with other application factors, the ABSITE score ranked 3rd behind letters of recommendation and a candidate's residency program. Colon and rectal surgery placed the highest importance on ABSITE scores, whereas transplant surgery placed the lowest importance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ABSITE score is an important factor for residents applying to surgical fellowship; however, more weight is given to candidates' letters of recommendation and his or her residency program. Applicants should aim to score above the 50th percentile to be competitive for most fellowship programs.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Aaron T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Gary William
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Widmar
authors.forename: Celia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Divino
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010560:Personnel Selection; D014481:United States