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Physicians using Prometric testing centers must abide by the Prometric policies stated below related to security and use of computer equipment and facilities. While at a Prometric testing center, candidates must comply with Test Center Administrator (TCA) directions at all times. Failure to comply with Prometric TCA directions or security and computer equipment usage policies may result in expulsion from the testing center and denial of access to any American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) examination in the future. Read the Prometric Testing Center Regulations (PDF).
You must arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled examination start time.
The Prometric Testing Center proctor has the discretion to deny access to latecomers, including individuals who do not arrive at the testing center 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Those who are denied entrance and those who fail to appear may contact the ABP.
Examination appointments may be rescheduled online up to 30 days prior to the initial test date without incurring a rescheduling fee. If an appointment is changed less than 30 days prior to the test date, Prometric will assess a fee that must be paid prior to rescheduling another examination. Examinations scheduled within testing windows can only be rescheduled within that window. Rescheduling and/or cancelling examinations less than five days prior to the appointment may result in a substantial rescheduling fee.
Metal detector wands are in use in all Prometric testing centers, and wanding is a requirement for testing. You will be scanned prior to each entry into the testing room to ensure that you do not have any prohibited electronic devices. If you refuse wanding, you will not be admitted to the testing room unless you have a medical exception. The Test Center Administrator will be required to submit a report to the ABP for anyone declining to be scanned.
Upon arriving at the testing center:
Upon completion of the registration process, you will be escorted to a computer workstation in the testing room where the TCA will launch your examination. The only items you will be permitted to bring into the testing room include:
One form of acceptable identification is required for admission to the testing center. The identification must be current and include a recent photograph and signature. If the photo identification is not signed, a second form of identification with a signature must also be presented. Those who do not present acceptable identification will not be permitted to take the examination. Identification documentation will be captured and validated to determine authenticity. All identity information captured at the testing center is purged from Prometric systems at the close of each business day.
PLEASE NOTE: Falsifying information required for admission to the examination or impersonating another examinee is strictly prohibited.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
Unacceptable forms of identification include:
IMPORTANT: The name on the current identification must exactly match the name listed in ABP records. Example: If a physician's name is listed as Jane Jones in ABP records, and the physician's legal name is Jane Jones Smith, identification must also list the name as Jane Jones (or Jane Jones Smith). If that physician presents identification reflecting the name Jane Smith, she would not be allowed to sit for the examination. Even a small difference in first name is a problem.
PLEASE NOTE: Here is a list of items that may be brought into the test room that do not require a pre-approval (PDF).
Yes. Before your examination can be viewed on your computer screen, you will be presented with the ABP Honor Code: Professionalism Moral and Ethical Principles (PDF), which includes the ABP's non-disclosure agreement (NDA) relevant to examination confidentiality and an Exam Day Agreement. You will be asked to review and acknowledge your agreement and compliance by clicking "I agree." If you click "I disagree," you will have one more opportunity to affirm. If you click "I disagree" a second time, your examination session will be terminated, your examination fee will be forfeited, and you will be asked to leave the testing center.
The materials developed by the ABP for its in-training, certification, and maintenance of certification examinations and other certification activities are copyrighted as the sole property of the ABP and may not be reproduced in any way. Reproduction of copyrighted material, in whole or in part, is a federal offense. Irrespective of copyright, any attempt to distribute ABP certification, maintenance of certification or in-training materials, in whole or in part, undermines the fairness of the certification process and will be considered unethical, unprofessional, and dishonorable, and will constitute grounds for the ABP to disqualify the resident, fellow, candidate, or diplomate from future examinations and/or other certification activities, invalidate current activities, revoke certificates, or take any other action deemed appropriate by the ABP and its legal counsel.
Yes. If you have never taken a computer-based examination at Prometric, it is highly recommended that you review the brief tutorial on the ABP's website to become familiar with the functionality of the computer-based examination. You will also be able to review a tutorial during your examination at the testing center. You will have 15 minutes to review the introduction and tutorial before your examination begins. The time used to review the tutorial will not be counted against your examination time.
The examination is divided into examination sections containing multiple-choice questions. The appointment time includes registration, introduction, tutorial, the examination, optional breaks, and a survey.
ACTION | TIME ALLOTTED |
Registration | Arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time |
Introduction | Up to 2 minutes |
Honor Code (Non-disclosure Agreement) | Up to 3 minutes |
Tutorial | Optional; up to 10 minutes |
Examination Section 1 | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Break | Optional; up to 15 minutes |
Examination Section 2 | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Break | Optional; up to 60 minutes |
Examination Section 3 | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Break | Optional; up to 15 minutes |
Examination Section 4 | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Survey | Up to 15 minutes |
Total Appointment Time | Approximately 9 hours |
ACTION | TIME ALLOTTED |
Registration | Arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time |
Introduction | Up to 2 minutes |
Honor Code (Non-disclosure Agreement) | Up to 3 minutes |
Tutorial | Optional; up to10 minutes |
Examination Section 1 | 2 hours |
Break | Optional; up to 30 minutes |
Examination Section 2 | 2 hours |
Survey | Up to 15 minutes |
Total Appointment Time | Approximately 5 hours |
ACTION | TIME ALLOTTED |
Registration | Arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time |
Introduction | Up to 2 minutes |
Honor Code (Non-disclosure Agreement) | Up to 3 minutes |
Tutorial | Optional; up to 10 minutes |
Examination Section 1 | 2 hours |
Break | Optional; up to 30 minutes |
Examination Section 2 | 2 hours |
Survey | Up to 15 minutes |
Total Appointment Time | Approximately 5 hours |
ACTION | TIME ALLOTTED |
Registration | Arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time |
Introduction | Up to 2 minutes |
Honor Code (Non-disclosure Agreement) | Up to 3 minutes |
Tutorial | Optional; up to 10 minutes |
Examination Section 1 | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
Break | Optional; up to 30 minutes |
Examination Section 2 | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
Survey | Up to 15 minutes |
Total Appointment Time | Approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes |
*Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) accommodations may alter the examination day schedules.
To ensure a high level of security throughout your testing experience at Prometric:
If you need assistance at any time during your examination, raise your hand to alert the TCA. Examples of instances where a tester requires assistance include:
On rare occasions, candidates may encounter technical difficulties at the testing center. If you experience a technical difficulty, notify the test-center administrator immediately. Test-center personnel will make every effort to correct any difficulties as quickly as possible.
In the event of a technical problem, back-up systems are in place to ensure that no testing time is lost. Should you experience any technical difficulties, please raise your hand to notify the TCA that there is a problem. The TCA will follow established procedures to resolve the problem. The nature of the problem will also be reported to the ABP.
If you encounter technical difficulties that you believe could impact your score, please ensure that you file a report with the TCA before you leave the testing center. In addition, you must notify the ABP in writing within three business days of your examination date.
Yes, breaks are permitted. There are two kinds of breaks permitted: scheduled and unscheduled breaks.
Scheduled Breaks
Scheduled breaks are available between examination sections. Scheduled break time does not count against your testing time. You can only take a scheduled break after a section of the examination is complete. Once the section is complete, you will not be able to return to any of the questions in the section. Candidates may decline the scheduled break and continue to the next section of the examination, or only use a portion of the break time allotted. The allotted amount of time for your break will be displayed on your monitor. For specific information regarding the sections and breaks for your examination, please see the "What is the schedule for examination day" section of this page.
Extended Breaks for Breastfeeding Mothers: The ABP provides an additional 30 minutes of scheduled break time for breastfeeding mothers for lactation purposes. Please complete the Breastfeeding Mothers - Request for Extended Break Time Form.
Unscheduled Breaks
If you need to take a break during the timed portion of your examination, you may take an unscheduled break. The examination timer will continue to count down during unscheduled breaks. No additional time will be provided to complete your examination.
Upon leaving or returning to the testing room for a break:
TCAs are required to report any irregular or improper behavior by a candidate. Examples of irregular or improper behavior include, but are not limited to, giving or obtaining information, removing examination material from the test center, being disruptive, or violating any Prometric testing center regulations, the ABP Honor Code: Professionalism, Moral and Ethical Principles, or other ABP policies. TCAs may intervene to stop any observed irregular or improper behavior. Irregular or improper behavior during the examination, as evidenced by careful observation or subsequent statistical analysis of your responses, may result in the termination of your participation, invalidation of your examination results, exclusion from future examinations, revocation of certification, or any other sanction deemed appropriate by the ABP and its legal counsel.
Prometric administers examinations for a variety of clients. As a result, examinees taking other examinations may be in the testing room at the same time that the ABP is testing.
You will be asked to complete a survey at the end of the examination. Once the survey is complete, you will be directed to exit the testing room and the TCA will provide a receipt.
If you have any questions regarding your examination day, call the ABP at (919) 929-0461 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time or visit the Contact ABP page.