Path to Surgery: Academic Requirements and Steps

To become a surgeon that operates on people, you will typically need to meet the following academic requirements:

1. Complete a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, or another science. During your undergrad, take courses in math and science. Your undergrad GPA must be very competitive.

2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCATs) and achieve a high score.

3. Attend and graduate from medical school. The MCAT is a standardized test that is used to assess your knowledge and skills in the natural sciences, verbal reasoning, and critical thinking.

4. Complete a surgical residency. This is a period of intensive training in surgery, which typically lasts for five years. During your residency, you will gain experience in a variety of surgical procedures and work with patients under the supervision of experienced surgeons.

5. Pass the American Board of Surgery (ABS) exams. The ABS exams are a set of board exams that are used to assess your knowledge and skills in surgery. Once you have passed the ABS exams, you will become board certified in surgery.