About The Qualifying Exam

The qualifying exam (formerly known as the written certification examination) is one of the 3 steps necessary in order to become a certified diplomat of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (or board certified in emergency medicine). The exam covers the scope of emergency medicine. The qualifying examination is a criterion-referenced examination.

Exam Stats:

• 8 hours long appointment (6.5 hours devoted to exam time)
• 2 portions: morning and afternoon
  
• 305 single best answer multiple choice questions.
  
• 10-15% of test has pictorial stimulus (separate book with photographs, x-rays, etc, will be provided)
  
• Test schedules allow adequate time to complete each portion of the examination, but each session has a time limit.
• Test administered at one of 200 computer-based testing centers
• Test takes place in late October or early November

Passing = 75% correct The qualifying exam is based on ABEM’s Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine The following table, from ABEM’s website, outlines the relative weight given to the different components of the EM Model for the qualifying exam.

The Board has assigned the following specific percentage weights to the Modifying Factor of age:

• Pediatrics: 8% minimum
• Geriatrics: 4% minimum

This is not meant to be an inclusive guideline regarding the qualifying exam, please refer to the ABEM Website for specific information on applying, credentialing and scheduling for the qualifying examination as well as details regarding test and its procedures.