Novel Formative Approach of the ESAP-ITE Provides Strong Predictive Value for ABIM Certification Outcomes

BackgroundThe Endocrine Self-Assessment Program In-Training Examination (ESAP-ITE) has the novel formative approach of allowing open access to all questions and answers after secure examination administration is complete, resulting in the creation of an entirely new in-training examination annually.ObjectiveTo determine whether scores on the novel ESAP-ITE predict pass/fail outcomes on the American Board of Internal Medicine Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Certification Examination (ABIM-ECE).MethodsAll endocrine fellows-in-training who took the ESAP-ITE between 2016 and 2019 and then subsequently attempted the ABIM-ECE within the same calendar year were included (n = 982). Primary analyses used the ESAP-ITE score from the final year of fellowship training. Covariates included sex, age on date of ABIM-ECE, medical school country, fellowship program region, pass/fail outcomes on the ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Examination, and ESAP-ITE score. All variables were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsESAP-ITE score (P ConclusionsIn addition to serving as an important learning instrument for endocrine fellowship programs, ESAP-ITE is a robust predictive tool for pass/fail outcomes on the ABIM-ECE.