The Otolaryngology Training Examination (OTE) is a closed-book, proctored, timed examination which is offered once a year. Any resident, practicing otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, or other interested physician may register for the OTE.

Purpose
The OTE provides an assessment of current knowledge in all areas of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Exam results identify strengths and weaknesses. Exam scores are confidential for practitioners; resident’s scores are reported to training program directors.

Residents and their program directors use the OTE to establish a baseline of specialty knowledge at the beginning of training, and to monitor changes in that knowledge over time. It is inappropriate for program directors to use this measure of resident performance as the sole form of assessment when evaluating residents for advancement. Rather, it is appropriate for program directors to use the aggregate performance of their residents when evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their educational program.