RT Journal
A1 Lipner RS, Lucey CR
T1 PUtting the secure examination to the test
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2010
FD September 22
VO 304
IS 12
SP 1379
OP 1380
DO 10.1001/jama.2010.1378
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1378
AB 
Recent controversy about the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process has centered on the role of the secure examination.1 Some physicians object to taking any examination, whereas others assert that the internal medicine and subspecialty examinations are not sufficiently focused to reflect physician practices. Others have questioned why the examination is not “open-book” to mirror a real-world practice environment. Even though all 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties require secure examinations for MOC, and many have required recertification for decades, the questions raised regarding ABIM examinations have relevance to all medical specialties. This Commentary intends to clarify the science and philosophy behind examination development and the current psychometric principles that guide the process.