Welcome to Boardscript!

Boardscript is a General Surgery oral board study tool.

As of the November 1, 2025 update, there are 58 oral board sample questions posted.

We are currently working on Vascular and Trauma sections. These should be posted by April 1, 2026.

In the meantime, we will continue to post new General Surgery scenarios frequently.

Use the Categoies tab to get started. Use the Next and Previous buttons to navigate through the scripts. Or click the Select Topics dropdown menu within each category to skip to a specific topic in that category.

These questions are written in a "script" format like reading lines of a play. The examinee is encouraged to imagine themselves in the exam room (or in front of computer screen for today's virtual exams) taking the test. Just like a professional golfer who "visualizes" the shot before the swing. Or the ski racer who rehearses every turn in their mind prior to the race. Visualize yourself taking the test as you read the scenarios.

While reading the scenarios, take a break between each line and reflect. Ask yourself:

Is this really what I would say?

Am I passing this scenario?

Can I anticipate what the examiner is going to ask next?

Do I know what key points the examiner is looking for?

Is the examiner getting impatient?

Do I need to study this topic more?

What are some other directions that the examiner could have taken this scenario?

Boardscript is designed to touch on most relevant topics in General Surgery. It is designed to be a study tool for the Certifying Exam, but can also be used by junior residents for "Mock Oral" preparation or even medical students to prepare for rounds.

Boardscript is designed to be used in conjunction with textbook learning to help you develop and fine-tune your thought process to the Oral Board environment. If you read a scenario and you think the answers are incorrect, then go look it up, and decide for yourself how you would have answered. These scenarios are not designed to just give you the correct answer. They are designed to make you think. We believe the answers given in these scenarios represent acceptable management that meets the standard of care in the community. But you decide.

Relax. It’s going to be OK.

Thank you so much for visiting.

Boardscript will ALWAYS be free. Surgery residents are the hardest working people in medicine. You shouldn’t have to pay to study.

If you have any ideas or comments on a particular question or on the website in general, please email at Boardscript.surgery@gmail.com. Please include your name and institution. I cannot respond to anonymous emails.

Lee Trombetta, MD, FACS

About the author: Dr. Trombetta received his medical degree from Creighton University in 1997. He then completed General Surgery residency at Madigan Army Medical Center. He is currently at teaching faculty at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.