MSOE Pilot Launches at the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting

At the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting, medical students attending the dedicated Medical Student Program will have access to a new and exciting opportunity: the inaugural Medical Student Orthopaedic Exam (MSOE). Approved by the AAOS Education Council, this pilot exam will be offered at no cost to participating students and is designed to help early learners better understand their baseline orthopaedic knowledge as they prepare for residency.

“By creating a standardized exam, we can encourage students to recognize and meet a high standard of knowledge prior to residency so they can hit the ground running and develop their clinical skills more efficiently,” said Meghan Morley, MD, Editorial Board member.

Filling a critical educational gap
Musculoskeletal medicine has long been recognized as underrepresented in many medical school curricula, despite its importance to patient care and growing learner interest. The Education Council saw a need for a structured, accessible tool that helps medical students benchmark their understanding while identifying areas where further study is needed.

The MSOE directly addresses that need. Built around eight foundational orthopaedic topic areas, the exam provides each student with a personalized score report that shows strengths and opportunities for growth by domain as well as insights into how they compare to peers. This feedback is designed to empower students during a formative point in their training.

As Dr. Morley notes, “The body of knowledge required to succeed as an orthopaedic resident is huge. … With high‑quality educational materials available to students online, students have the potential to enter residency well prepared.” She added that helping students establish this early foundation is critical: “If students can enter residency with a working knowledge of anatomy, basic orthopaedic injuries and care, and principles of bone healing and fixation, they can focus their energy on higher‑level thinking and clinical skills.”

A collaborative effort behind the scenes
Developing the MSOE required a coordinated effort among educators, surgeons, and trainees nationwide. The exam’s Editorial Board — four orthopaedic educators deeply committed to advancing medical student education — led the content development process: 

• Deborah C. Bohn, MD, FAAOS;
• Jerry Speight Grimes, MD, MS, FAAOS;
• James Joseph Jr., MD, FAAOS; and
• Megan Morley, MD.

They were supported by 42 volunteer surgeons and residents who played key roles in shaping the exam blueprint, reviewing content, and refining individual questions. Their collective expertise spans the full spectrum of orthopaedic education and practice, including residents, teaching faculty, program and associate program directors, vice chairs, rotation directors, and private practice surgeons.

The exam will be automatically added to participating students’ learn.aaos.org accounts, and they will have 30 days after the Annual Meeting to take it at their convenience. All medical students attending the program can take advantage of this opportunity to benchmark their knowledge, strengthen their preparation, and enter residency with confidence.

Looking ahead: Supporting the next generation
The launch of the MSOE reflects AAOS’ ongoing commitment to medical student education and the future of the orthopaedic workforce. The MSOE team will gather student feedback and continue to refine the exam for future use. Ultimately, the goal is simple: to elevate early orthopaedic education and support students in entering residency more confidently, better prepared, and ready to succeed.