Studying for licensure examinations is like eating a twelve course meal: if you try and do it in five minutes, it will make you sick. As you prepare, pace yourself, don't memorize but review, and, most importantly, a few days before the examina tion, try and get some rest. I don't think I've ever heard of a soul who looked forward to this examination, and I can assure you no one has ever walked out saying "What a wonderful experi ence." Think of this ordeal as a rite of passage and try to remember that most of you will make it through. I'd like to thank Dr. Ron Krug for his continued support and guidance, not only in the preparation of this text, but through the years. Additional thanks to Dr. Rita Claudet for continued suggestions and editing of this text. Good luck in your studies and remember what Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never, give up " Jeffrey G. Hirsch, M.D."