Exam Day: What to Expect

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.)

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 and 15 minutes 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.

Maintenance of Certification Exam Day Schedule

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.