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One-Day Exam

As you prepare to take the one-day exam, there are a number of important facts about the test-taking process that will help make your experience smoother and more successful. We encourage you to read the content on this page to understand the one-day exam’s application information, preparation tools, and format.

At-A-Glance

  • The one-day exam consists of 300 questions displayed in a multiple-choice format.
  • You will answer 75 questions in each of the four 95-minute sections.
  • You will have 100 minutes of pooled break time which can be divided however you prefer between three breaks.
  • We offer multiple testing dates in April and November.
  • The exam is administered at Prometric test centers, in approximately 350 locations around the United States and 180 international locations.

Eligibility & Application Information

You will be eligible to take the one-day exam when you reach your 10th year of certification. You must first complete all certification requirements by the published exam deadlines before you can submit the online application in your MyABFM Portfolio. Please see Dates & Deadlines for more information.

Candidate Information Booklet

To assist you with your one-day exam application and results process, ABFM provides you with a Candidate Information Booklet that includes a comprehensive description of our requirements and policies. We recommend that you read this thoroughly before beginning the application process.

2024 CANDIDATE INFORMATION BOOKLET

ADA Accommodations

ABFM provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). More information regarding accommodations can be found in the Candidate Information Booklet.

Other Accommodations

In addition to ADA accommodations, ABFM offers arrangements for pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as options for approved comfort aids.

Reschedule and Withdraw Policy

In the event that you need to reschedule your testing appointment, you may do so through your MyABFM Portfolio. Access your active exam application and revisit the Test Center Selection page to initiate the reschedule process.

You may withdraw your one-day exam application or, if eligible, switch to the longitudinal assessment on or before the final deadline to submit your online application. This can be done through your MyABFM Portfolio.

Please refer to the Candidate Information Booklet for more information or contact [email protected] for additional assistance.

Testing Early

You may choose to take the one-day exam prior to the year in which your requirement is due. Each time you pass the one-day exam, your 10-year certification cycle will renew. If you do not pass the one-day exam, you may re-attempt.


One-Day Exam Format

The one-day exam consists of 300 single best answer questions displayed in a multiple-choice format. It is divided into four 95-minute sections with 75 questions presented in each, and 100 minutes of pooled break time available to be used between sections.

Computer-based testing allows the user to navigate forward and backward through the exam, mark items for further review, highlight or strike out question content, and review answered, unanswered and marked items. A list of complete and incomplete questions, as well as marked items, may be accessed at any time during the exam for the active section. You may review or change questions prior to time expiring in each section. Once you complete a section, or time has expired, you may not return to the questions in that section. The exam contains a countdown timer in the top center of the exam screen.


One-Day Exam Resources

We have provided several tips and resources to help you prepare for your testing appointment to ease any anxiety you may have:

How To Prepare Video

Exam Blueprint

The exam blueprint describes the targeted percentage of questions in each of the 16 clinical content categories.

VIEW EXAM BLUEPRINT

One-Day Exam Online Tutorial

You may access an Online Tutorial to gain insights into the functionality of the testing system used to administer the one-day exam. Please note that while the online tutorial may show various question formats, the one-day exam consists only of single best answer, multiple-choice questions. On your exam day, there will be a brief orientation which will allow you to re-familiarize yourself with the exam process.

Two Week Checklist

The Two Week Test Preparation Checklist includes topics and information about the exam such as confirming logistical matters, understanding the format, and clarifying procedures, as well as a Last-Minute Test Preparation Checklist, which outlines what you need to bring with you on the day of your exam.

​Prometric Test Drive

Prometric also offers a “Test Drive,” if you wish to become familiar with the testing process and the testing center before your exam day. This is a 30-minute orientation in which the Prometric staff will allow you to experience the check-in/registration process, take a 15-minute non-medical related sample test, and introduce you to the staff and surroundings, such as parking and entrances. Prometric charges $30 for this service, and you will need to make an appointment in advance through the Prometric website at www.prometric.com/test-drive.


Rescore – ABFM offers the opportunity to have your examination rescored if you send a completed request form with a check for $200 within 14 days of the official release of the score reports. However, we strongly discourage this because the probability of an examination being incorrectly scored is extremely remote. In fact, we have no record of a discrepancy ever being detected. This is because ABFM employs many quality control procedures to ensure that all examinations are scored accurately. The quality control process is very extensive and is largely the reason that it takes so long to provide candidates with their final results.

If you decide to have your examination reviewed, please understand that the review is limited to verifying 1. that the responses that were scored were indeed made by the candidate and 2. that the scoring process correctly transformed the candidate’s responses into a scaled score.

This review is not a review of the content of the items, or a reconsideration of what the correct answer should be. It is also not a reconsideration of the passing standard or of the acceptability of the testing conditions.

If you wish to request a rescore of your examination, please complete the document below and send it with a check to ABFM.

Rescore Request Form


Suspected Cheating – American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Diplomates work hard to earn and maintain their board certification. Activities that damage the integrity of ABFM certification constitute a serious issue for all Diplomates. The Family Medicine Certification Examination (one-day exam) is an important component of the certification process. Attempts to compromise the integrity of the ABFM certification process represent a serious ethical violation that could result in a candidate losing his or her certification and/or eligibility to become certified. Depending on the type of activity, other legal consequences are possible as well. Similarly, aiding another person in the compromise of the ABFM certification process is also a serious ethical violation.

Candidates should be aware and understand that the disclosure of any information about examination materials—including the nature or content of examination items—before, during, or after the examination is a violation of law. Violations of confidentiality and/or candidate rules can result in criminal prosecution, civil liability, and disciplinary actions by both ABFM and by the appropriate licensing board.

ABFM examinations are administered under very standardized conditions, and strict security measures are in place. If you are aware of, or have observed, any attempt to compromise the ABFM examination process, please report it to the ABFM Test Security Group. Please provide as much detail as possible, and if you are comfortable doing so, please provide your contact information so that we may ask additional questions and respond in a timely and effective manner. Reports of suspected irregularities are taken seriously by ABFM and are appropriately investigated by the team.

Please help us to maintain the integrity of ABFM certification by reporting any unscrupulous attempts to circumvent the examination, such as using proxy examinees, attempting to use cheat sheets, attempting to bring unauthorized materials into or out of the test center, and reproducing or communicating information about test questions.

Incidents of suspicious behavior can be reported to the ABFM Test Security Group by:

Calling 859-687-2538
Emailing [email protected]
Send a letter detailing the incident to: ABFM Security Group, 1648 McGrathiana Parkway Suite 550, Lexington, KY 40511-1247

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