Initial Certification
Taking the Adolescent Medicine Exam
The following section provides you with specific details for the Adolescent Medicine Certification examination. It includes:
- About the Adolescent Medicine Exam
- Key Exam Dates
- Adolescent Medicine Exam Administration and Development
- Scoring and Reporting of Exam Results
About the Adolescent Medicine Exam
IMPORTANT! The 2008 Adolescent Medicine Certification exam is a pencil and paper exam.
This exam is developed jointly with — and administered by — the American Board of Pediatrics at four test centers nationally: Chapel Hill, NC; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; and South San Francisco, CA.
Follow these procedures when registering to take this exam:
- You will register by completing and submitting an application form online at ABIM's Physician Login page.
- You will be sent additional information about the administration of the exam.
- Note: If your application is not approved, you will be notified when ABIM has determined that you are not eligible for admission to an exam. For refund information, see Refund and Cancellation Policy.
- Contact the American Board of Pediatrics for more information about test center locations and changing exam dates. See Scheduling an Adolescent Medicine Certification Exam for additional details.
Key Exam Dates
| Item | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | April 7, 2008 | TBD |
| Registration Opens | August 1, 2007 | TBD |
| Deadline Registration | October 1, 2007 | TBD |
| Late Registration (requires a non-refundable late fee) | October 2, 2007 | TBD |
| Deadline Late Registration | November 1, 2007 | TBD |
| Deadline Cancellation | February 1, 2008 | TBD |
Adolescent Medicine Exam Administration and Development
Adolescent Medicine Exam Administration
The 2008 Adolescent Medicine Certification Exam is a proctored, 4-hour, closed book, pencil and paper exam administered for the American Board of Pediatrics. It covers the aspects of adolescent medicine that internists should know to provide excellent care to adolescent patients.
A blueprint representing content distribution is available online at the American Board of Pediatrics website. The content outline is not designed to be a study guide or curriculum guide. To view the content outline:
- Go to the American Board of Pediatrics website
- Choose Subspecialty Certification
Adolescent Medicine Exam Development
The Adolescent Medicine Certification Program, jointly developed by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Family Practice, and the American Board of Pediatrics, is designed to recognize excellence among those with special expertise in this field. The requirements for all Boards are similar. The examination will be administered to candidates from all three Boards at the same time in the same testing centers. The American Board of Pediatrics is responsible for administering the examination. The standard for passing the examination will be identical for all Boards.
This information has been prepared by the American Board of Internal Medicine for use by its diplomates who are applying for the Certificate in Adolescent Medicine. The program has three components:
- Satisfactory completion of training requirements
- Substantiation by local authorities of the candidate's clinical competence in adolescent medicine and confirmation of an unrestricted and unchallenged medical license
- Successful performance on a comprehensive, half-day examination
Participation in the Certification program is voluntary. Certification in adolescent medicine is not a requirement to practice adolescent medicine, nor does the Board confer privilege to practice.
Copyrighted Materials
ABIM's examinations are confidential and copyrighted under the Federal Copyright Act. Candidates agree not to copy, reproduce, reconstruct by dictation or other means, or disclose examination content in any manner. ABIM's Self Evaluation Process Medical Knowledge Modules are also copyrighted works. Candidates agree not to copy, reproduce or make any adaptations of the modules in any manner and not to assist someone else in the infringement of these or any other Board-copyrighted works.
TopScoring and Reporting of Exam Results
Scoring
Your score is determined by the number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for guessing; therefore, you should answer every question. The minimum passing score reflects an absolute standard developed by the ABIM Board of Directors and is independent of the performance of any group of candidates.
Results
- After the exam is given, it will be analyzed and evaluated to ensure the reliability of individual results.
- Your results will be released and a Score Report will be mailed to you within three months of the last date of the exam in that area.
- ABIM website's Home Page will announce when exam results have been released. No additional information is available until that time.
- You can obtain your pass/fail status for an exam in the exam history section on your home page under Physician Login when results are released.
- Scores are provided through the mail only. Copies of your Score Report will be maintained for two years from the date they were released. During that period, you may obtain a copy of your Score Report upon written request.
- Questions regarding exam results should be submitted in writing within six months of the date results were released.
Those who pass the examination are designated as certified as diplomates of ABIM. The certificate is valid for ten years. Maintenance of Certification is required for renewal of certificates. The certificates are mailed directly from the engraver within three to four months after candidates are notified of their results. Note: your current board certification status is reported on your Physician Login Home Page.
Pass Rates
Click here to see the First-Time Taker Pass Rates for Initial Certification (pdf).
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