The RITE
The Residency In-Service Training Examination — the AAN’s annual self-assessment that tracks your neurology knowledge and closely predicts how you’ll do on the boards.
The RITE is developed by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) as a self-assessment — not a pass/fail exam — for every US neurology and child-neurology resident to track knowledge as they train.
It helps residents pinpoint strengths and weaknesses and lets program directors monitor educational progress. Because its content mirrors the ABPN board blueprint, your RITE percentile is a genuine early read on board readiness.
Exam format
Questions
Multiple-choice items built around video, imaging (CT, MR, EEG) and full-color pathology — the same formats the boards use.
One sitting
Eight consecutive hours with breaks taken as you wish; length and structure parallel the ABPN certification exam.
Taken at your program
Administered at your own institution (not a commercial center); some programs offer a remote option. Given annually in February.
Content distribution
Approximate share of the RITE by category — it closely mirrors the ABPN board blueprint.
| Category | Share |
|---|---|
| Clinical Adult Neurology | ~16% |
| Physiology & Pharmacology / Chemistry | ~15% |
| Neuroimaging & Pathology | ~14% |
| Behavioral / Psychiatry | ~11% |
| Anatomy | ~10% |
| Clinical Pediatrics | ~10% |
| Contemporary Issues | ~3% |
RITE predicts board performance
Strong, published correlation
A 2013 Neurology study (Schuh LA et al.) found significant correlation between RITE and ABPN board scores:
- Adult neurologists: r = 0.77 (2008), r = 0.65 (2009) — RITE accounted for 42–59% of board-score variance.
- Child neurologists: r = 0.74 (2008), r = 0.56 (2009) — RITE accounted for 31–55% of board-score variance.
| RITE score | Board pass (2008) | Board pass (2009) |
|---|---|---|
| < 59% | 72% | 73% |
| 60–64% | 90% | 94% |
| 65–69% | 98% | 99% |
| 70–74% | 99% | 99% |
| 75%+ | 100% | 100% |
What a RITE score report looks like
Your report gives a total percent correct, national percentile ranks, and a full breakdown by category and topic.
⤢ ExpandHow to use your RITE results
2027 RITE key dates
How HighYieldNeuro helps
Board-blueprint questions
1,300+ questions written to the same content areas the RITE and ABPN exam test — practice maps straight to your weak categories.
Percentile-style tracking
My Progress shows accuracy and percentile by specialty against active peers — the same lens as your RITE report, updated as you study.
Target the gaps
Weak-area flashcards, study notes and spaced repetition point you straight at the categories where your percentile is lowest.
- AAN RITE: aan.com — RITE
- ABPN (board certification): abpn.org
- Reference: Schuh LA et al. “The Residency In-service Training Examination in Neurology: resident performance and predictive value.” Neurology 2013;81:364–369.
- Exam dates and format per the AAN and are subject to change — always confirm with your program.
Start closing your gaps today
Practice the exact content areas the RITE and boards test — and watch your percentile climb.
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