If you’re preparing for the ABFM one-day Family Medicine Certification Examination, knowing exactly what to expect can make exam day far less stressful. The exam is long, structured, and highly standardized — but it’s also predictable. The last thing you’ll want to happen is to prepare for the exam and arrive at the testing center only to be tripped up by a technicality.
This guide walks you through every part of exam day in plain, straightforward language. Because things can change, we highly recommend that you verify all the details on both the ABFM site and with the Prometric center a week or two before your scheduled exam.
The ABFM certification exam is administered exclusively at Prometric test centers in the U.S. and internationally. Prometric serves as the site for many types of exams so when you look around the room, you’ll see many others taking tests – but understand that they won’t all be taking the ABFM certification exam.
Prometric is a testing vendor — not the ABFM — so they cannot assist with exam content or
requirements. It’s up to you to make sure that you are prepared because Prometric is not responsible for providing assistance with the exam itself.
When you include check-in, the tutorial, testing time, and breaks, the full exam day typically lasts seven to nine hours.
You must arrive at least 30 minutes before the time scheduled on your e-ticket. Arriving fewer than 30 minutes before your test time makes you late – that means you will not be permitted to test and will be marked as a ‘No Show.’
Bring a printed copy of your e-ticket — it contains key information and is your best fallback if any issues arise at check-in.
Bring one valid, government-issued, non-expired photo ID with a signature. Your ID name must match your ABFM record exactly, and the signature must match the signature on file with Prometric. Acceptable examples include Driver’s License, Passport, and State or County ID Card. If your ID does not include a signature (such as some military IDs), you must bring a second signed ID.
Prometric follows strict, standardized security procedures. Every time you enter the testing room — including after breaks — you must:
✔️Raise sleeves and pant legsYour entire exam session is recorded on video and audio.
The good news is that Prometric does allow certain personal comfort items without any prior approval. All items will be inspected during check-in.
These must stay in your locker:
❌Phones
❌Smartwatches or any wearable tech
❌Notes, paper, books, or study materials
❌Food or non-water drinks
❌Bags, purses, wallets
❌Personal pens or pencils (Prometric provides a dry-erase board)
Accessing a prohibited item — even during a break — can result in:
Please refer to the ABFM Examination booklet for a complete list of disallowed items.
You receive 100 minutes of break time total, and you control how to use it.
The environment is quiet and controlled. You will have:
☑️A computer workstation
☑️A dry-erase board and marker
☑️Noise-canceling headphones
☑️Video surveillance
☑️Occasional proctor walk-throughs
Keyboard noise from other test-takers is normal, and earplugs usually help.
The exam interface gives you tools to stay organized:
✔️A countdown timer for each section
✔️Ability to flag questions for review
✔️Forward and backward navigation within the section
✔️An overview screen showing answered and unanswered items
Once a section ends, you cannot reopen it.
In addition to studying the topical material, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the online tutorial/exam orientation provided by the ABFM in advance of your exam day. Arriving at the Prometric center with an established comfort level with the testing software is an easy thing to check off your preparation list.
Every question on the exam is single-best-answer, multiple-choice. Nearly all questions are clinical scenarios reflecting real family medicine practice. The content of the exam follows the Blueprint.
There is no penalty for guessing, and unanswered items count as incorrect — so answer every question.
😀Arrive early
😀Bring the correct ID
😀Use your break time strategically
😀Monitor the countdown timer in every section so you can pace yourself consistently
😀Mark difficult questions and return if time allows
😀Answer everything — no penalty for guessing
😀Keep all prohibited items locked away
😀Expect full security screening after every break
Q1: What time should I arrive for the ABFM exam?
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the time on your e-ticket. Arriving more than 30 minutes late results in a No Show.
Q2: Can I take food or drinks into the ABFM testing room?
Only water in a clear, label-free bottle is allowed. All other drinks and food must stay in your locker and can only be accessed during breaks.
Q3: Does Prometric provide paper or scratch sheets for the ABFM exam?
No. Prometric provides a dry-erase board and marker instead of scratch paper.
Q4: Will I be allowed to leave the testing room during the ABFM exam?
Yes, but any exit — even during scheduled breaks — triggers a full security rescreening when you return.
Q5: Can I return to a section once it's closed?
No. Once a section ends or times out, you cannot go back to it.
Q6: What happens if there is a technical issue?
Prometric logs all incidents and reports them to ABFM, which reviews the event and determines next steps
1. Download and review ABFM’s official exam-day policies.
Know the rules about ID, breaks, allowed items, and prohibited items.
2. Complete the official ABFM online tutorial.
This ensures the testing software feels familiar before you arrive.
3. Practice at least two timed, full-length simulation blocks.
Build pacing for the 95-minute sections and 100-minute break pool.
4. Plan your break schedule in advance.
Most candidates take short breaks after Sections 1 and 3 and a longer break after Section 2.
5. Prepare your e-ticket and ID as well as making sure you know how to get to the Prometric
location two days beforehand. Eliminate avoidable exam-day stress.
6. Pack your approved items the night before.
Keep everything in a clear bag and avoid bringing any prohibited items.
7. Arrive early, breathe, and move steadily through each section.
Flag difficult questions, answer everything, and trust your preparation
How can you prepare for the ABFM Exams? Med-Challenger Family Medicine Boards Prep