OutLoud MD vs BoardED
OutLoud MD and BoardED both prepare you for the ABEM Certifying (oral board) exam in emergency medicine, but they work differently. OutLoud MD is spoken practice: an AI examiner runs cases by voice across all eight competency domains, including procedures and ultrasound, with grounded, instant, per-domain feedback, and it is free during beta. As of September 2026, from public information, BoardED is a text tool covering roughly four of eight domains, with no procedures or ultrasound, priced at $449. Here is a side-by-side look.
At a glance
- OutLoud MD is voice, spoken aloud; BoardED is text only.
- OutLoud MD covers 8 of 8 domains; BoardED covers about 4 of 8.
- OutLoud MD runs procedures and ultrasound; BoardED does not.
- Feedback is grounded, instant, and per-domain on OutLoud MD; BoardED feedback is undisclosed.
- OutLoud MD is free during beta; BoardED is $449.
OutLoud MD vs BoardED at a glance
| Feature | OutLoud MD | BoardED |
|---|---|---|
| Channel | Voice, spoken aloud | Text only |
| Domain coverage | 8 of 8 | About 4 of 8 |
| Procedures + ultrasound | Yes | None |
| Feedback | Grounded, instant, per-domain | Undisclosed |
| Price | Free beta | $449 |
BoardED details above reflect public information as of September 2026 and may have changed.
Where OutLoud MD is different
The exam is spoken, so OutLoud MD trains the thing it actually scores: your reasoning out loud, under pressure.
- Spoken practice: you say your answers aloud and defend them as the case evolves, instead of reading and clicking through written questions.
- The only sim that runs procedures and ultrasound: you verbalize technique and indications and read the returned imaging, a station text tools skip entirely.
- Grounded, per-domain feedback: scoring maps to all eight competency domains and is anchored in the emergency-medicine literature, not a single pass or fail verdict. To see how a session runs, read what OutLoud MD is.
When BoardED might fit
A text question bank has its place. If you like to study by reading on your own schedule, working through written prompts and answers, a text tool such as BoardED may suit that habit, and some residents pair a text bank with spoken reps. If price matters, note that as of September 2026, from public information, BoardED is $449, while OutLoud MD is free during beta. For a full breakdown of prep costs, see what oral board prep costs, or just start free practice.
Frequently asked questions
- How is OutLoud MD different from BoardED?
- OutLoud MD is spoken practice: you talk through cases by voice across all eight competency domains, including procedures and ultrasound, and get grounded, instant, per-domain feedback. As of September 2026, from public information, BoardED is a text tool covering roughly four of eight domains, with no procedures or ultrasound.
- Does BoardED cover procedures and ultrasound?
- As of September 2026, from public information, BoardED is text only and does not include procedures or ultrasound stations. OutLoud MD is the only simulator that runs procedures and ultrasound, where you verbalize technique and indications and read the imaging.
- How much does each one cost?
- As of September 2026, from public information, BoardED is priced at $449. OutLoud MD is free during beta; sign up with an email or Google account to save your progress and scores.
- Is OutLoud MD affiliated with ABEM or BoardED?
- No. OutLoud MD is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to ABEM or BoardED. It is for education only, is not medical advice, and does not predict your real exam score. ABEM publishes current exam details at abem.org.
- Which one should I use?
- If you want to rehearse the spoken exam out loud, cover all eight domains, and drill procedures and ultrasound, OutLoud MD fits. If you prefer a text question bank to read on your own, a text tool such as BoardED may suit that habit. Many residents use both.
Key takeaways
- OutLoud MD is voice-based; BoardED, from public information, is text only.
- OutLoud MD covers 8 of 8 domains and runs procedures and ultrasound; BoardED does not.
- OutLoud MD gives grounded, per-domain feedback and is free during beta; BoardED is $449.
- OutLoud MD is an education tool, not affiliated with ABEM or BoardED, and not a score prediction.
Updated September 2026