Requirements
Physicians whose certification applications are accepted as fulfilling the credential requirements are offered an assignment to the ABEM examination.
Notification of Assignment
Physicians whose certification applications are approved at least three business days before the start of the ABEM exam will be offered an assignment to the examination. ABEM will begin sending qualifying examination assignments with instructions for registering and scheduling appointments to take the examination in early August, as applications are approved.
Registration
To accept a qualifying examination assignment, physicians must register online through the ABEM website using instructions sent with the assignment. Registration deadlines and fees are listed under ABEM Exam Dates and Fees.
Scheduling
Physicians who have registered online through the ABEM website must schedule an appointment to take the qualifying examination in one of over 200 computer-based testing centers. When physicians complete registration, the ABEM online registration system will display the necessary information for scheduling an appointment.
Approximately thirty days prior to the qualifying examination, ABEM sends each physician with a confirmed registration the Examination Information for Candidates book. It includes confirmation of examination seating, examination logistics, and other information about the examination.
ABEM anticipates seating all physicians who fulfill the credential requirements and wish to take the qualifying examination.
Taking the Examination
The qualifying examination is administered once per year, usually in the fall. Physicians who have registered for the examination through ABEM schedule a one-day appointment to take the examination at one of over 200 computer-based testing centers.
The examination is divided into two sections or books, each separately timed and each lasting three hours and ten minutes. Once candidates complete one timed book of the examination they cannot return to it to review answers. Each book of the examination consists of both pictorial and non-pictorial multiple-choice questions. Pictorial questions refer to stimulus images, such as photos of x-rays, EKGs, rhythm strips, pictures, etc. These images will be presented along with the relevant test question on the computer screen.
Physicians whose certification applications are accepted as fulfilling the credential requirements are offered an assignment to the ABEM examination.
Notification of Assignment
Physicians whose certification applications are approved at least three business days before the start of the ABEM exam will be offered an assignment to the examination. ABEM will begin sending qualifying examination assignments with instructions for registering and scheduling appointments to take the examination in early August, as applications are approved.
Registration
To accept a qualifying examination assignment, physicians must register online through the ABEM website using instructions sent with the assignment. Registration deadlines and fees are listed under ABEM Exam Dates and Fees.
Scheduling
Physicians who have registered online through the ABEM website must schedule an appointment to take the qualifying examination in one of over 200 computer-based testing centers. When physicians complete registration, the ABEM online registration system will display the necessary information for scheduling an appointment.
Approximately thirty days prior to the qualifying examination, ABEM sends each physician with a confirmed registration the Examination Information for Candidates book. It includes confirmation of examination seating, examination logistics, and other information about the examination.
ABEM anticipates seating all physicians who fulfill the credential requirements and wish to take the qualifying examination.
Taking the Examination
The qualifying examination is administered once per year, usually in the fall. Physicians who have registered for the examination through ABEM schedule a one-day appointment to take the examination at one of over 200 computer-based testing centers.
The examination is divided into two sections or books, each separately timed and each lasting three hours and ten minutes. Once candidates complete one timed book of the examination they cannot return to it to review answers. Each book of the examination consists of both pictorial and non-pictorial multiple-choice questions. Pictorial questions refer to stimulus images, such as photos of x-rays, EKGs, rhythm strips, pictures, etc. These images will be presented along with the relevant test question on the computer screen.
