The Testing Experience

Instructions for the AOBEM Recertification Examination

The AOBEM Recertification Examination has 118 multiple-choice questions. You will have 2½ hours to complete the session.
The whole examination is divided into three sections, with the first two sections consisting of 50 questions and the last section consisting of 18 questions. Within a section you can answer questions, mark questions so you can go back to them later, skip questions, go back to review previously marked or answered questions, and change answers. At the end of a section you will be asked to click the END SECTION button. Once you choose to end the section, your answers to the questions in the section will become permanent and you will not be allowed to go back to that section. There is no time limit to complete any single section. Since you must finish the session (three sections) in 2½ hours, the AOBEM suggests that you spend no more than one hour on Sections 1 and 2 and no more than thirty minutes on Section 3.
Questions in each section are grouped by question type, with independent one-best-answer questions first followed by one-best-answer question sets.
You will have the option of taking a ten-minute break between Sections 1 and 2 and Sections 2 and 3. If you choose to take the break, the actual time you spend on the break will be deducted from the time allocated to complete the examination. During the break, you must leave the testing room. At the time you re-enter the testing room, you must show a valid ID and a fingerprint will be obtained. You will be responsible for managing your own time. If you take a break, please allow sufficient time to check in and be seated.