How to Prepare for Psychiatry Boards: A Complete Study Timeline

PGY-Year-by-Year Study Plan

PGY-1 is the time to connect core diagnostic and treatment principles to clinical work. PGY-2 and PGY-3 can add regular domain-based question blocks and track recurring weaknesses. During PGY-4 or the dedicated board window, shift toward cumulative mixed practice and scheduled reassessment.

• Early training: build foundations and explain concepts in your own words.

• Middle training: use domain reports to close gaps.

• Final year: increase mixed sets, timing, and error-log review.

Choosing a Question Bank vs. a Course

Choose a question bank when active practice and detailed feedback are your main needs. A course can help when you need externally imposed structure or broad content review. Many candidates can combine a concise reference with a strong psychiatry qbank instead of buying every resource.

Final 8-Week Review Sprint

Use the first weeks to close high-priority domain gaps, the middle weeks for mixed timed sets, and the final week for light consolidation and sleep protection. Avoid introducing a large new resource at the end.