Key takeaways:
- MOCA-Peds is an online, non-proctored recertification assessment for pediatrics that's taken over a 5-year cycle.
- Each quarter, participating pediatricians answer 20 questions that span topics from all of the ABP's learning objectives.
- Starting in Q2, up to 2 questions for each featured reading will appear within the MOCA-Peds platform.
- Since assessment-takers are only given 5 minutes to answer each question, it's important to have open-book materials ready AND have studied before starting the exam.
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection and choose your response early in the 5-minute window. Then use the rest of your time to verify your answer.
Thinking about the starting a MOCA-Peds cycle this year as an alternative to the proctored exam? MOCA-Peds is an online, non-proctored recertification assessment for pediatrics. It's a fairly new platform the ABP created to offer physicians a flexible option for their part 3 MOC requirement.
If you're recertifying this year and taking MOCA-Peds, these tips will help you feel prepared and confident when answering your questions.
1. Plan to answer 20 questions per quarter
In the second, third, and fourth quarters, questions drop on the first day of the quarter, and you have until 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the quarter to submit your answers. Question topics span all of the ABP's learning objectives for the year. Also, starting in Quarter 2, you may start to see questions from the featured readings. In each question, you'll see a clinical vignette, followed by a multiple choice question.
It might be helpful for you to know that you will be given 15 repeat questions each calendar year—3 repeats in Q2, 5 in Q3, and 7 in Q4.
2. Review the ABP's featured readings
Make sure you review the ABP's 2 featured readings prior to starting the assessment. Up to 2 questions for each featured reading will appear within the MOCA-Peds platform starting in Q2. Plus, other questions may list the featured readings as references.
3. Go at your own pace
You don't have to answer all 20 questions at once. You can do 1 question per day for 20 days, answer them all on the first day, or wait until the day before the quarter is up to get your answers in. You just need to answer them all before the end of the quarter they were assigned.
4. Don't skip questions
Once the timer starts, you can't skip any questions—literally there is no "skip" button. Remember: Questions not answered will be scored as incorrect and will more-than-likely be served back up in a later quarter.
5. Have your "open book" materials ready before you start
You only have 5 minutes to answer each question, so make sure you're ready before the timer starts! Heather Stewart, MD, did the MOCA-Peds option in 2020, and here's what she had to say about using QuickREF during the non-proctored assessment:
"As a sub-specialist that does not practice general pediatrics I appreciate having a succinct compilation of the objectives." –Heather Stewart, MD
6. Make sure you have reliable internet connection
The ABP won't reset questions on an individual basis, like in the case of an internet outage. Want to play it super-safe? Use a wired connection. You can answer questions from any location, but one with stable internet connection is best. You're allowed to use a computer or tablet, but if you want to use your smartphone, you'll need to download the MOCA-Peds app.
7. Choose your response early
Choose your response early within the 5-minute window, and then use the rest of your time to verify your answer. This is especially important if you're not hard-wired into the internet. The MOCA-Peds platform is designed to record the last chosen response before connection was lost, regardless of whether the “Submit Answer” function was used.
8. Pay special attention to questions you answered confidently but missed
Make sure you take a second look at those questions you thought you knew, but didn't. It's likely that you'll see those questions again. So read through the rationale that pops up after you submit your answer. And post-exam, you should be able to see the questions you missed on the "My Performance" page.
Pro Tip: To make sure you're ready the next time those questions come around, read through the topic in QuickREF or listen to the associated audio lectures in QuickREF Audio Pearls.
9. Prepare for the exam environment by doing Q&As
We've added a MOCA-Peds filter to our Pediatrics Qbank+—reviewing these MOCA-Peds questions will get you in the exam-taking frame-of-mind. Plus, try "Test Mode" for an exam-like experience that's timed.
Pro tip: Prepare on-the-go with QuickREF Audio Pearls, too! They cover all 45 learning objectives and 2 featured readings in friendly, in-depth lectures.
Bonus Tip: Be sure to answer all your questions
Any questions not answered by the end of the quarter will be marked as incorrect. A score of 180 is considered a MOCA-Peds passing score, and your performance will be scored on a scale ranging from 1-300. The difficulty level of each question is taken into consideration when scaled scores are calculated. This levels the playing field, since each Maintenance of Certification Assessment taker might receive different questions for their exam.
Tips for taking MOCA-Peds
Ready to start answering? Ace MOCA-Peds with QuickREF learning tools.
