What to Expect on Exam Day
This section provides you with an overview of what happens on exam day at the Pearson VUE Test Center. Print and refer to it as you prepare to take the exam.
- How is a Pearson VUE Test Center Set Up?
- What is the Schedule for Exam Day?
- When Should I Arrive? / What if I Arrive Late?
- What Happens When I Arrive at the Test Center?
- What Identification Will I Need?
- What Identification Will I Need for the Adolescent Medicine Exam?
- What Can't I Bring?
- How Will the Exam Start?
- What Do I Need to Know About Exam Sessions and Scheduled Breaks?
- What About Lodging and Travel?
- Where Are the Test Centers Located?
- What Should I Do If I See Cheating or Other Inappropriate Behavior?
- How Do I Contact ABIM With Questions Regarding Exam Day?
How is a Pearson VUE Test Center Set Up?
Every Pearson VUE location offers a quiet, professional testing environment, with eight to 25 private workstations. Each center has:
- An administrator workstation, waiting room, proctor workstation and testing room
- At least two Pearson VUE certified administrators
Note: Test takers other than ABIM candidates may be present at the test centers.
What is the Schedule for Exam Day?
- For initial Certification exams: approximately ten hours, (Cardiovascular Disease is approximately 14 hours.)
- For Maintenance of Certification exams: approximately eight hours.
- The day is divided into several sessions, each containing up to 60 multiple-choice questions.
- The schedule includes registration, optional tutorial, instructions, the exam, optional breaks and an optional survey.
Initial Certification Exam Day Schedule
(Except Electrocardiogram and Imaging Studies sections of Cardiovascular Disease Examination. See the second table.)
| Action | Time Allotted |
|---|---|
| Registration | Varies |
| Tutorial | Optional, up to 30 minutes |
| Instructions and Pledge of Honesty | Up to ten minutes |
| First Session | Up to two hours |
| Morning Break | Optional, up to 20 minutes |
| Second Session | Up to two hours |
| Lunch Break | Optional, up to 60 minutes |
| Third Session | Up to two hours |
| Afternoon Break | Optional, up to 20 minutes |
| Fourth Session | Up to two hours |
| Optional Survey | Up to ten minutes |
| Total | Approximately ten hours |
In addition to the ten hour schedule for the initial Certification exam, Cardiovascular Disease initial Certification candidates must also complete two additional sessions on a separate day of testing; each session is up to two hours in length with an optional 20 minute break. Depending on how you schedule your exam appointment, these sessions could be on the day before or the day after the multiple choice sessions.
| Action | Time Allotted |
|---|---|
| Registration | Varies |
| Tutorial | Optional, up to 30 minutes |
| Instructions and Pledge of Honesty | Up to ten minutes |
| Electrocardiograms | Up to two hours |
| Morning Break | Optional, up to 20 minutes |
| Imaging Studies | Up to two hours |
| Total | Approximately five hours |
Maintenance of Certification Exam Day Schedule
| Action | Time Allotted |
|---|---|
| Registration | Varies |
| Tutorial | Optional, up to 20 minutes |
| Instructions and Pledge of Honesty | Up to ten minutes |
| First Session | Up to two hours |
| Morning Break | Optional, up to 20 minutes |
| Second Session | Up to two hours |
| Lunch Break | Optional, up to 60 minutes |
| Third Session | Up to two hours |
| Optional Survey | Up to ten minutes |
| Total | Approximately eight hours |
When Should I Arrive? / What if I Arrive Late?
- Your confirmation notice from Pearson VUE will specify an appointment time. Arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time.
- If you arrive after your appointment time, you may not be admitted to the exam. Make certain that you know the location of the test center, parking facilities and nearby restaurants prior to exam day.
- Pearson VUE will provide driving directions to the test center, and ABIM recommends that you review a map to confirm these directions.
What Happens When I Arrive at the Test Center?
- You will present your personal identification.
- An electronic fingerprint, signature and photograph will be taken. (You cannot take the exam without having your fingerprint, signature and picture taken.)
- Personal items are not permitted in the testing room. You will be required to leave your personal belongings outside the testing room, including your cell phone, PDA, watch, wallet, and/or purse. (See What Can't I Bring?) A secure individual storage locker will be provided for these items. Storage space is limited, however, so you should plan accordingly. Pearson VUE assumes no responsibility for candidates' personal belongings.
- While the temperature in the exam room should be comfortable, dressing in layers is recommended. Outerwear (jackets, coats, etc.) are not permitted; however, sweaters are permitted.
- You will be asked to read the "ABIM Candidate Rules Checklist," agreeing to the security terms of the administration of the exam.
- The test administrator will provide erasable noteboards that will be replaced as needed during testing. (Note: You also will be able to type and save notes in a pop-up box that accompanies each exam question.)
- If you are easily distracted by noise, including keyboard noise, you may request ear plugs and headphones from the test administrator. Your own earplugs, headphones or other personal devices are not permitted in the test center.
- The test administrator will give you a short orientation and escort you to a computer workstation in the testing room. If you are left-handed, you may request that the mouse be moved to the left side of the computer monitor and reset to operate as a left-handed mouse.
- You may request instructions to adjust the height and contrast of your monitor. You also may request that the monitor be moved from the top of the computer.
What Identification Will I Need?
When you arrive at the test center, you will need to present primary and secondary identification:
- Your Primary ID: A current government-issued form of ID that contains a recent photograph of you and your signature. A valid driver's license, passport or state identification card is acceptable.
AND: - Your Secondary ID: A form of ID that includes your signature, but not necessarily a photograph. For example, a Social Security card, valid credit card, or ATM card is acceptable. Note: Candidates without both valid primary and secondary ID may not be admitted to the exam. The name that appears on your ID must be the same as the name that ABIM has on record for you.
What Identification Will I Need for the Adolescent Medicine Exam?
The Adolescent Medicine Exam is administered by the American Board of Pediatrics, with computer-based exams delivered at Thompson Prometric test centers. The testing center will require one valid (current) form of government- or state-issued photo ID bearing your name and signature; e.g., drivers license, passport, hospital ID. If you are presenting identification without a signature, you will be required to present a second form of signature-bearing identification. The name that appears on your ID must be the same as the name that ABIM has on record for you.
Your Name and ID for Computer-Based Testing
When you are approved to take an ABIM examination, your name (exactly as it appears in ABIM's records) is transferred to the Pearson VUE test administrator. The name that appears on your ID must match the name sent to Pearson VUE. If the name on your ID does not match the name on file, you may not be admitted to the exam.
TopWhat Can't I Bring?
To assure exam security, ABIM and Pearson VUE prohibit the following: All electronic devices, including cell phones, cameras, recording devices, PDAs, calculators, personal digital assistants, pagers, and beepers.
In addition, the following are not permitted:
- Watches. The time of day will be displayed on a clock in the testing room, and the time remaining in the exam session will be displayed on your computer screen.
- Calipers, nomograms or other interpretive aids.
- Study materials, books, notes, scratch paper, etc.
- Pens, pencils, highlighters and other writing instruments. The test administrator will provide noteboards that will be replaced as needed. Noteboards may not be removed from the testing room and must be turned in to the test administrator when you complete each exam session. In addition, you may type and save notes in the "Notes" section available for each exam question. Both the noteboards and the "Notes" section are provided for your convenience and are not considered in the evaluation of your exam.
- Suitcases, briefcases, backpacks.
- Wallets and purses.
- Tobacco products.
- Food amd drinks. You may bring lunch to the test center, but there is no access to refrigeration or lounge facilities. Water fountains are available at most test centers. You may also bring bottled water to store in your secure locker.
- Certain medications may be brought to the test center with prior approval of ABIM. You can submit your request to ABIM by using the Contact Us feature.
Friends or relatives who accompany you to the test center will not be permitted to wait inside the test center and cannot contact you while you are taking the exam.
Note: Candidates who fail to adhere to these policies are subject to disciplinary action which could lead to dismissal from the exam, invalidation of the exam, disqualification from future exams, or other sanctions deemed appropriate by ABIM.
TopHow Will the Exam Start?
At the start of the exam, you will see several screens reviewing instructions about taking the exam and about exam security. You will be asked to agree to a Pledge of Honesty affirming that you will follow ABIM and Pearson VUE rules.
TopWhat Do I Need to Know About Exam Sessions and Scheduled Breaks?
Exam structure: The exams are given in modular format with a maximum of 60 multiple-choice questions per exam session.
Exam time: You will have up to two hours to complete each session. The time remaining for each session will appear in the upper right-hand corner of the computer screen. The time of day will be displayed on a clock in the testing room.
Assistance during an exam session: You must remain in your seat during an exam session, unless authorized to leave by a test center administrator. Raise your hand to notify the administrator if you:
- Have a problem with your computer
- Need a clean noteboard
- Need to leave the testing room for any reason
- Have inadvertently brought any personal belongings into the testing room
- Need earplugs or headphones if you are easily distracted by noise, including typing noise
- Need assistance for any other reason
Leaving the testing room during an exam session: If you need to leave the testing room during the exam session, the clock will continue to count down the time remaining. The test administrator will set your computer to "Unscheduled Break" mode. The screen will display the session time with the clock counting down, and the display screen you are working on will be hidden. You should exit the testing room as quietly as possible. You may not leave the immediate vicinity of the testing room or restrooms while an exam session is in progress.
Returning to the testing room during an exam session: You must provide an electronic fingerprint each time you enter and exit the testing room. When you return to your workstation, the test administrator will reset your computer so that you may continue the exam.
Five-minute notification: A message box will appear on your computer screen as a reminder when five minutes remain in a session. If you are still working at the end of the two-hour session, the computer screen will turn gray, a message will state that your time has expired, and no further keyboard and mouse responses will be recorded.
Taking breaks: Scheduled breaks, including a 60-minute lunch break, occur at the completion of each session. Taking scheduled breaks is optional. You can decline a break and immediately begin the next two-hour exam session. You can choose to use some or all of your break time. If you finish your testing session early, you can combine your unused test time with the subsequent break. However, unused break time is not cumulative and cannot be accrued during the day or applied to testing time. If you do not use time available for a scheduled break, it is forfeited.
Returning from a scheduled break: You must provide an electronic fingerprint each time you enter and exit the testing room. Because you must be at your seat before the end of a scheduled break, allow sufficient time (as much as ten minutes) for checking back in. At the end of a scheduled break, the clock on the computer will automatically start the next exam session.
Technical or computer problems: In the event of a computer or other technical problem, the Pearson VUE system will ensure that no testing time is lost and all your answer choices are saved. Raise your hand to notify the proctor if there is a problem. The proctor will follow established procedures to resolve the problem.
TopWhat About Lodging and Travel?
You are responsible for making your own travel and hotel reservations. Recommendations for overnight accommodations are not available from ABIM or Pearson VUE.
TopWhere Are the Test Centers Located?
- US, US Territories, and the Americas
- International Test Centers (Continents other than North and South America)
NOTE: This list is for information purposes only. For the most up to date center listing, including addresses, please go to the ABIM section of the Pearson website
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Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Washington, DC Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho |
Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana Nebraska New Hampshire |
New
Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island |
South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Brazil Canada Mexico |
* ADDITIONAL FEE FOR TEST INTERNATIONAL CENTERS Should you cancel your application or change your test center to a U.S., U.S. territory or other Americas location before the cancellation deadline, you will receive a refund of the $500 fee. All other exam cancellation and refund policies will apply. NOTE: This list is for information purposes only. For the most up to date center listing, including addresses, please go to the ABIM section of the Pearson website | |||
|
Australia England France Germany |
Greece Hong Kong India Israel |
Japan Korea, South Singapore Philippines |
Spain Taiwan Thailand Turkey |
What Should I Do If I See Cheating or Other Inappropriate Behavior?
ABIM considers the integrity of the exam process to be very important. If you see cheating or other inappropriate behavior, please contact us at 1-800-884-2246.
TopHow Do I Contact ABIM With Questions Regarding Exam Day?
If you have any questions regarding exam day, call ABIM's Contact Center at 1-800-441-2246, Ext. 3598, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Or visit the Contact Us page at www.abim.org.
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