OBGYN Shelf Resources: How to Study Effectively During Clinical Rotations

OB/GYN is one of the most challenging medical clerkships. From the rigorous clinical workload to understanding both obstetrics and gynecology, striking a balance between practicing your clinical skills and preparing for the shelf exam is tricky.  

While hands-on OB/GYN experience is invaluable, it’s your responsibility to bridge the gap between training and the need-to-knows for the OB/GYN shelf. Don’t worry—we’re here to help. 

Read more on how to navigate clerkship and prepare for the OB/GYN shelf exam. 

The Challenges Behind OB/GYN Shelf Prep

Studying During Clinical Rotations is Hard

Let’s talk about the reality of clinicals. Med students can work up to a maximum of 80 hours weekly, depending on their assignments. Between irregular and long hours, night or on-call shifts, and unpredictable workdays, you may often feel overwhelmed.

However, if this isn’t your first rodeo, you might already know the key to balancing it all—a good schedule. It might be tricky to find your footing, but discovering a work-life balance that suits your needs can make all the difference. Be sure to allocate time for studying, self-care, and household chores throughout the week.

The OB/GYN Shelf Exam is Unique

The OB/GYN Subject Exam, created by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), is a 2-hour and 45-minute exam consisting of 110 questions. According to the NBME content outline, the exam covers a vast range of topics, with the majority of content focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium, as well as the female reproductive system.

Taking the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) shelf? The COMAT OB/GYN exam is 2.5 hours long, consisting of 120 questions. The NBOME content outline specifies that DO students are evaluated on two dimensions: patient/clinical representations and physician tasks. For those taking the NBOME, TrueLearn’s COMAT question bank includes over 250 questions to help you pass your exam.

But the true challenge of the shelf is its difficulty. In an AMA interview, Brandi Ring, MD, stated, “If you go in assuming that you’re going to go through the OB/GYN clerkship and learn how to answer the questions on the shelf exam, you’re wrong—because we don’t teach to the shelf exam. We teach the skills required in the specialty of OB/GYN, and you can’t test those on a multiple-choice exam. The exams test knowledge at the level of an internal medicine person being consulted by OB/GYN.”

That’s why your shelf exam prep matters. You need to bridge the knowledge gap to perform well and pass your clerkship—especially if you want to pursue OB/GYN as your specialty. 

How to Study During Rotations

Studying throughout your clerkship is easier said than done! With only four weeks to juggle clerkship and OB/GYN shelf prep, time management is key.

While you may work long hours, you won’t be hustling and bustling every shift. If you find a pocket of downtime during a night shift or a slow day, use it to review OB/GYN shelf exam questions. And if time doesn’t allow, you should have a scheduled study block during your time off. 

Remember, rest is essential here—if you’re not well rested, you won’t have the energy to study. Take a moment to unwind, and if you feel capable after a shift, use your OB/GYN shelf resources to review exam content.

Try the timeline below:

• Week 1–2: Obstetrics
• Week 3–4: Gynecology

When should you take the OB/GYN shelf exam?

Timing

The OB/GYN shelf is typically administered at the end of your clerkship! Check with your school to note the scheduled exam date.

Studying earlier has its perks.

The earlier you establish a routine, the easier time you’ll have studying. Between clerkship, life, and preparing for the COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE and/or USMLE Step 2 CK, you don’t have a lot of time. Be disciplined, and most importantly, get rest.

Question Banks are the Expert’s Tool of Choice

Don’t just take our word for it. Remember Dr. Ring? Even she recommends using a question bank to prepare for the OB/GYN shelf! It may help you recognize topics you didn’t know would be on the exam. 

Dr. Ring explains to AMA, “… when you go through from a question perspective, it helps highlight—oh, this is a topic I didn’t realize was going to be on this exam. You might get a question on osteoporosis, for example, which very little of the OB/GYN clerkship focuses on, but shows up on the exam.”

Active recall for the win

Not a big fan of textbooks? That’s understandable. Active recall is more effective than passive study methods, anyway. Practice questions, for example, are an engaging active recall method. According to the “testing effect,” a memory phenomenon, quizzing, practicing questions, and using flashcards are more effective in improving long-term retention than passive reading. 

Use the TrueLearn OB/GYN SmartBank

We’re not your average question bank. The USMLE Step 2 CK Shelf Question Bank is designed to help you master the clinical knowledge you’ll need to excel on your shelf exams and Step 2 CK. With a pass guarantee on any 90+ day subscription, you can:

• Test yourself by specialty and topic
• Track your performance with real-time analytics on our smart dashboard
• Create personalized flashcards from questions you’ve missed
• Benchmark your progress against other medical students nationwide
• Access quizzes and practice questions anytime with the TrueLearn mobile app

More Resources for OB/GYN Shelf Success

NBME Practice Exam and Sample Items

The NBME offers sample items for free and self-assessments at a fee. These materials can help you gauge your understanding and evaluate your readiness for the shelf exam.

Picmonic

Need to dive a little deeper into OB/GYN facts and medical information? Sign up for Picmonic! This study tool utilizes engaging mnemonics, complemented by short OB/GYN videos, to help you review and retain information more effectively. 

First Aid for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship

If review books are more your style, First Aid for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship, written by students who’ve passed, is a handy OB/GYN shelf study guide.

That’s everything you need for the shelf—don’t forget to take care of yourself!