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  • The American Board of Neurological Surgeons (ABNS)

    ABNS requires all residents in ACGME accredited neurosurgery programs to complete the ABNS Primary Examination for certification.

    The examination covers information on the basic sciences, critical care, fundamental clinical skills, imaging, neuroanatomy, neurobiology, neurology, neuropharmacology, neurosurgery, pathology, and other disciplines deemed important to the field of neurosurgery by the ABNS.

    The exam is 375 questions in length. The ABNS and Residency Review Committee (RRC) require residents to pass the examination for credit toward certification before completing training. Many Program Directors require passage before the chief year.

    SANS Written Boards High-yield Review Course

    • An intensive, two-day course held before the ABNS Primary Examination
    • Uses the SANS subspecialty modules to cover the breadth of all subspecialty and general neuro topics included on the exam
    • For more information, visit cns.org/writtenboards

    SANS Written Board Module Bundle

    Can't attend a live course, or want to study before? Use the SANS Written Board Module Bundle. The bundle consists of seven 100-question subspecialty modules to help you study.

    Next: Resident Grants and Awards for Research

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