About The Qualifying Exam

The qualifying exam (formerly known as the written certification examination) is one of the 3 steps necessary in order to become a certified diplomat of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (or board certified in emergency medicine). The exam covers the scope of emergency medicine. The qualifying examination is a criterion-referenced examination.

Exam Stats:

Passing = 75% correct The qualifying exam is based on ABEM’s Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine The following table, from ABEM’s website, outlines the relative weight given to the different components of the EM Model for the qualifying exam.

Listing of Conditions & Components
Signs, Symptoms and Presentations
9%
Abdominal & Gastrointestinal Disorders
9%
Cardiovascular Disorders
10%
Cutaneous Disorders
2%
Endocrine, Metabolic & Nutritional Disorders
3%
Environmental Disorders
3%
Head, Ear, Eye, Nose & Throat Disorders
5%
Hematologic Disorders
2%
Immune System Disorders
2%
Systemic Infectious Disorders
5%
Musculoskeletal Disorders (Non-traumatic)
3%
Nervous System Disorders
5%
Obstetrics and Gynecology
4%
Psychobehavioral Disorders
3%
Renal and Urogenital Disorders
3%
Thoracic-Respiratory Disorders
8%
Toxicologic Disorders
4%
Traumatic Disorders
11%
Appendix I: Procedures & Skills
6%
Appendix II: Other Components
3%
Acuity Frames
Target (+/-5%)
Critical
27%
Online Emergent
37%
Lower Acuity
27%
None
9%

The Board has assigned the following specific percentage weights to the Modifying Factor of age:

  • Pediatrics: 8% minimum
  • Geriatrics: 4% minimum

This is not meant to be an inclusive guideline regarding the qualifying exam, please refer to the ABEM Website for specific information on applying, credentialing and scheduling for the qualifying examination as well as details regarding test and its procedures.

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