Candidates with approved applications register and pay the exam fee online via ABEM.org. Once you are registered, you will receive an email from ABEM explaining how to schedule your appointment at Pearson VUE. You must then schedule a specific eight-hour examination appointment, during the five-day testing window, at a testing center near you. Locate the nearest Pearson VUE testing center at https://home.pearsonvue.com/About/Locations.aspx.

After check-in, the Pearson VUE test administrator will seat you in the testing room. Each appointment is 8 hours in length. However, only 6 hours and 20 minutes of this time is actual testing time, which is divided into two separately timed testing sessions.

Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes of the appointment time is devoted to a one-hour scheduled break between the two testing sessions, and several accessory activities related to the exam administration. 

Exam Instructions

There is a brief summary of important facts immediately preceding the start of the exam and the second section of the exam after the scheduled break. This summary includes the number of exam questions, procedures for leaving the testing room, and other information related to taking the Qualifying Examination.

Scheduled and Unscheduled Breaks

Take your allowed scheduled break between the two timed testing sessions, if needed.

If you take an unscheduled break during a timed testing session, do not leave the testing center, access outside information, or use a cell phone, as that may invalidate your examination.

• A 1-hour break is scheduled between the two books or sections of the examination, midway through the 6 hours and 20 minutes testing session.
• You can leave the testing building during this scheduled break, but must return in a timely manner or risk losing testing time on the remainder of the examination.
• The timer for the second section of the examination will begin immediately following the hour-long, scheduled break, regardless of whether you have returned to your seat.
• While on an unscheduled break, you may NOT leave the building.
• Accessing prohibited items such as cell phones, laptops, tablet computers, exam notes, or study guides during an unscheduled break is a violation of the ABEM Policy on Examination Irregularities.

Leaving the Testing Room

• You may leave the testing room during the exam appointment after notifying the test administrator. However, the exam timer will remain running while you are out of the testing room, except when you are on the scheduled, hour-long break.
• You are required to provide an infrared palm vein image when you re-enter the testing room.
• If you finish the exam early, you may leave the testing room. Once you check out of the testing center and receive an examination confirmation receipt, you may not re-enter the testing room.

Candidate Survey

A brief, optional survey is available after taking the Qualifying Exam. ABEM encourages you to complete it so the Board can benefit from your experiences. If you choose not to complete this questionnaire, no additional testing time beyond the standard 6 hours and 20 minutes will be allowed for taking the Qualifying Exam itself.

Additional Information

• There is no smoking allowed in the testing center.
• Refreshments are not provided.
• No food or drink is permitted in the testing room. Snacks can be stored in the small lockers provided by the testing center and may be accessed as needed by taking breaks during the exam.
• You cannot make or receive phone calls during your exam administration except during the scheduled, hour-long break.
• Messages will not be given to candidates during their exam unless it is an emergency. If the testing center receives a message for you, the test administrator will give you the message when you have completed your exam and have checked out.
• If you have a question while testing, or if you have finished taking your exam, raise your hand for a test administrator.

After the Exam

Once finished with your exam, return the locker key and dry-erase board to the test administrator. Receive your examination confirmation receipt from the test administrator before leaving the testing center.

Once you've worked your way through the entirety of your study material several times and familiarized yourself with what areas you are and are not confident in, it's time to focus on the relevant material with which you are least comfortable and familiar.

Consider leaning on an adaptive assessment / prescriptive learning platform, like Med-Challenger. With adaptive learning, not only are you assured to properly utilize all materials available, your time is spent exactly where it needs to be spent with every use, thereby producing a more effective individual review, with no wasted value, all in less time.

And remember: Always keep the ABEM Exam Blueprint in mind!

Preparing for EM boards will push you to your limits – you will be stressed, burnt out, and oftentimes exhausted. But like they say: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. In the long run, it won’t do you any good to sacrifice your physical and mental well-being.

At least every 3 hours, allow yourself a break to relax and unwind. Stay hydrated throughout the day. Remember to eat and nourish your body with healthy meal options. Exercise will help maintain healthy circulation and oxygenation to your brain. Take some time to meditate. And perhaps most importantly, maintain a healthy sleep schedule, especially the week before your exam.

The ABEM board typically uses multiple-choice questions that have one best answer. These items have a “stem” that presents the background information necessary for answering the question, which usually comes at the end of the stem. Be sure to read the stem carefully. As you proceed, make note of information that seems especially relevant. Read every answer option carefully. First use the process of elimination to filter out what you know is incorrect, and go from there.

Focus on addressing each question individually. Take a deep breath every now and then.

If you are completely stumped by a question or unsure you answered correctly, flag it and come back later. That having been said, also consider that the first thoughtful answer an examinee makes is usually the best answer. Second-guessing yourself is not likely to help your performance unless you fully realize that you've misread or misunderstood the question. This will help you maximize your time.