Initial Certification
Taking the Cardiovascular Disease Exam
The following section provides you with specific details for the Cardiovascular Disease Certification examination. It includes:
- Key Exam Dates
- Exam Content and Blueprint
- Scoring and Reporting of Exam Results
- Spurious and Unrecognized Cardiology "Certification" Boards
Key Exam Dates
| Item | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
|
* These testing dates are available only to candidates with a documented disability requiring additional testing time, as provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please see the ABIM policy on Testing Accommodations for Exam Takers with Disabilities. Results will be released within three months of the last test date for this area. Responsibility for Deadline Compliance - It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to be aware of and comply with registration deadlines. In fairness to all candidates, the Board adheres firmly to its published deadlines for registration and late registration for its examinations. Candidates are encouraged to apply early in the registration period. All registration is done through the Physician Login. |
||
| Exam (Note: Dates are subject to change.) | November 5-6 or November 6-7, 2008 | November 11-12 or November 12-13, 2009 |
| Exam for Candidates Requiring Testing Accommodations Across Multiple Days* | November 18 and 19, 2008 | November 17 and 18, 2009 |
| Registration Opens | March 1, 2008 | March 1, 2009 |
| Deadline Registration | May 1, 2008 | May 1, 2009 |
| Late Registration (requires a non-refundable late fee) | May 2, 2008 | May 2, 2009 |
| Deadline Late Registration | June 1, 2008 | June 1, 2009 |
| Deadline Cancellation | September 1, 2008 | September 1, 2009 |
Exam Content and Blueprint
What Does the Examination Cover?
Click here to see the detailed Cardiovascular Disease Certification exam blueprint (pdf), which includes the content areas covered, their relative percentages, and the approximate number of questions in each area to expect on a typical exam.
Exam Administration
The exam lasts one day. Multiple editions, or "forms," of the exam are used, and they may differ in question order and content. Some questions require the interpretation of illustrative materials such as electrocardiograms, radiographs and photomicrographs (e.g., blood films, Gram stains, urine sediments). A list of normal laboratory values is provided. Refer to this list to interpret values given in the questions because they may differ from those to which you are accustomed.
One full day of the Certification examination is devoted to multiple-choice questions, which are administered in four two-hour sessions. The half day of the examination is devoted to the interpretation of electrocardiograms and imaging study cases (echocardiograms, ventriculograms, and angiograms), which are administered in two two-hour sessions.
Exam Development
A complete description of the process used to develop ABIM exams is available in How Exams Are Developed. Topics include:
- Pretesting
- Question content criteria
- Question-writing process
- Question review/editing process
- Relevance review, and more
Question Format
The Certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions and special question formats for the interpretation of electrocardiograms and imaging studies. (A tutorial for these special formats will be provided to Certification candidates prior to exam administration.)
The multiple-choice questions are single best answer questions which consist of a brief statement, case history, graph, or picture followed by a question and list of possible options. You must choose the one answer that is better than the others; note that other options may be partially correct. Familiarizing yourself with the question format in advance may help you work more effectively.
Sample Cases - Electrocardiograms and Imaging Studies
In addition to single-best answer questions, the cardiovascular disease exam includes sections that require you to interpret electrocardiograms and still-frame imaging studies. Click the link below for sample cases and examples of the answer sheets. Familiarizing yourself with the format and scoring of these question types in advance will help you work more efficiently on the examination itself.
Click here to see the Sample Cases - Electrocardiograms and Imaging Studies (pdf)
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.
The multiple-choice questions and imaging studies are treated as one component, and electrocardiograms are treated as one component. To become certified, candidates must achieve passing scores on both components.
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).
TopSpurious and Unrecognized Cardiology "Certification" Boards
ABIM receives continual inquiries concerning mail solicitations to apply for Certification from the "American Board of Geriatrics" and the "American Academy of Cardiology." These organizations are spurious Certification boards. For a fee they provide a legitimate-looking certificate, but one that is not recognized by any legitimate medical organization. The named organizations appear to be operated by Keith Lasko, an MD whose California license to practice has been revoked and who has lost licensure in all other states in which he was licensed. The websites for Lasko's organizations are cross linked. They attempt to achieve legitimacy by listing the names of numerous legitimate organizations, without the permission of those organizations. ABIM recommends that its diplomates (and all physicians) investigate the legitimacy of any organization offering Certification.
Top