Diplomate Spotlight Opening Doors with Board Certification: A Conversation with Long Standing Diplomate Joseph Cook Read Opening Doors with Board Certification: A Conversation with Long Standing Diplomate Joseph Cook
Phoenix Newsletter - July 2025 Available Now: 2026 5-Year Cycle Registration Read Available Now: 2026 5-Year Cycle Registration
Home Research Research Library The reliability of ABFM examinations: implications for test-takers The reliability of ABFM examinations: implications for test-takers 2011 Author(s) Royal, Kenneth D, and Puffer, James C Topic(s) Family Medicine Certification Keyword(s) Cognitive Expertise, and Psychometrics Volume Annals of Family Medicine Source Annals of Family Medicine A common theme among family physicians that have repeatedly performed poorly on the ABFM Maintenance of Certification (MC-FP) Examination is the complaint that they received a score that was identical, or almost identical to their score on a previous administration of the exam. From their perspective, it is a mystery as to why they received the exact same score (or a very similar score), despite additional study time and preparation. Often, physicians assume a mixup has occurred and ask if it is possible that results have erroneously been provided from their previous attempt. After a psychometric review, it is clear that there is no mistake at all. In fact, we anticipate many test-takers will receive a comparable score on future attempts at successfully taking the exam. We base this anticipation on the psychometric concept of reliability. Read More ABFM Research Read all 2015 Assessing the viability of External Searchable Resources on the American Board of Family Medicine’s certification examination Go to Assessing the viability of External Searchable Resources on the American Board of Family Medicine’s certification examination 2022 HIGH-STAKES KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AT ABFM: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW IT IS USEFUL Go to HIGH-STAKES KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AT ABFM: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW IT IS USEFUL 2005 From specialty-based to practice-based: a new blueprint for the American Board of Family Medicine cognitive examination Go to From specialty-based to practice-based: a new blueprint for the American Board of Family Medicine cognitive examination 1981 Contempo ’81. Family practice Go to Contempo ’81. Family practice
Author(s) Royal, Kenneth D, and Puffer, James C Topic(s) Family Medicine Certification Keyword(s) Cognitive Expertise, and Psychometrics Volume Annals of Family Medicine Source Annals of Family Medicine
ABFM Research Read all 2015 Assessing the viability of External Searchable Resources on the American Board of Family Medicine’s certification examination Go to Assessing the viability of External Searchable Resources on the American Board of Family Medicine’s certification examination 2022 HIGH-STAKES KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AT ABFM: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW IT IS USEFUL Go to HIGH-STAKES KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AT ABFM: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW IT IS USEFUL 2005 From specialty-based to practice-based: a new blueprint for the American Board of Family Medicine cognitive examination Go to From specialty-based to practice-based: a new blueprint for the American Board of Family Medicine cognitive examination 1981 Contempo ’81. Family practice Go to Contempo ’81. Family practice
2015 Assessing the viability of External Searchable Resources on the American Board of Family Medicine’s certification examination Go to Assessing the viability of External Searchable Resources on the American Board of Family Medicine’s certification examination
2022 HIGH-STAKES KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AT ABFM: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW IT IS USEFUL Go to HIGH-STAKES KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AT ABFM: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW IT IS USEFUL
2005 From specialty-based to practice-based: a new blueprint for the American Board of Family Medicine cognitive examination Go to From specialty-based to practice-based: a new blueprint for the American Board of Family Medicine cognitive examination
