nephrology training

In-Training Exam Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the ASN In-Training Examination (ITE)?

A. The ASN ITE is an internet-based test administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) that closely mimics the American Board of Internal Medicine’s initial certifying exam in nephrology. The results of the exam will allow nephrology training program directors to compare their fellows both internally and with all other fellows in the country who took the exam. It allows program directors to identify subject areas that are lacking and need further attention as well as individual fellows who may need more direction in a certain subject. It was created by a subgroup of the ASN Training Program Directors Executive Committee led by Mitch Rosner, MD, and will be given annually starting in 2009.

To prepare for the initial certifying exam in nephrology, a second year fellow could take the In-Training Exam in April to identify areas of weakness in their training, and then attend ASN’s Board Review Course and Update in August and focus on lectures given in these areas of weakness.

Q. How does one register for the exam?

A. Registration will open January 6, 2010, on the ASN website. Fellows must be members of ASN and provide their Member ID to register. They must choose a pre-registered test site. Payments must be made through credit card.

Q. How many fellows are expected to take the exam?

A. Between 500 and 800 fellows are expected to take the exam. Nearly 700 fellows took the exam in 2009.

Q. What are the details of the exam (i.e. date, cost, etc.)?

A. ITE will take place April 8 and 9, 2010 and will cost $240 per fellow. The test will begin at 8:00 a.m. in each time zone and will take approximately six hours. Fellows can take it on either of the two days.

Q. Where will the exam take place?

A. The exam will take place onsite at the institutions. NBME will administer it remotely, and will be available for support all day on April 8 and 9.

Q. Can groups of fellows be registered?

A. Registrations must be done on an individual basis as login to the ASN website will be required.

Q. How can a program receive the test materials?

A. They cannot. The exam will be given online and programs will be given specific logins prior to test day.

Q. How can a program find out if their equipment matches the necessary specifications for administering the exam?

A. NBME will provide a "web-readiness survey" for each program and will help them "certify" their workstations. Laptops are acceptable.

Q. Is this exam open only to second-year fellows?

A. No, any nephrology fellow can take it at the discretion of the program director.

Q. What if a fellow needs to take the exam at an alternate test site?

A. Please communicate this information to Susan Owens at sowens@asn-online.org. The fellow's scores will be kept separate from those of the host institution.

Q. When will the scores be available?

A. The scores will be available 6 weeks after the exam is given and will be sent to the programs from ASN.