Scoring FAQs

This page includes information about how proctored examinations are scored and how scores are reported. If you have a question about your examination results, please look here before contacting our office. For additional questions about MOCA-Peds scoring, please visit our MOCA-Peds FAQ webpage.

About Scoring

How are examinations for the ABP scored?

Exam scores are based on the total number of questions answered correctly. Candidates are encouraged to answer each question, as no points are deducted for questions answered incorrectly. After administration, statistical analyses are conducted, and a small number of questions may be flagged and/or deleted if they do not meet the standards for statistical and psychometric validity. Deleted questions are not included in calculating final scores. The General Pediatrics Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exam includes some pretest questions that are not scored.

What percentage of questions do I need to answer correctly to pass an ABP examination?

The percentage of questions that an examinee needs to answer correctly is based on the difficulty of the form (a collection of test questions) of the exam taken. Although every effort is made to create forms of an exam that are equivalent in difficulty, some differences may exist after final scoring. Therefore, because the percentage of correct answers required to pass the exam may vary among forms, a specific passing percentage is not available to examinees.

How is the passing score for initial certifying examinations and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) proctored examinations set?

The passing score for each exam is established through a process called standard setting. During the standard setting process, a panel of practicing, board-certified pediatricians determines the level of knowledge a candidate must demonstrate in order to pass the exam. There are different panels for General Pediatrics and each pediatric subspecialty. Every panel is comprised of subject matter experts specializing in the content of the exam they review. The standard established is based on a criterion-referenced model and represents a specific standard of performance required. All candidates that meet this absolute standard will pass the exam.

How does the ABP ensure that examination forms (unique collections of test questions) are equal?

All exam forms are constructed using the same test blueprint (content outline). Although every attempt is made to ensure that the difficulty level of the various forms is as equivalent as possible, the slight variance may occur due to the inclusion of new questions that have never before been tested. In order to account for any variation among the forms, a statistical process known as equating is applied, which ensures that examinees are not advantaged or disadvantaged by taking one form of the exam over another. Through equating, a given scaled score on the exam will reflect the same level of content mastery regardless of the form administered.

What is the passing rate for ABP examinations?

The overall passing rate for any of the ABP’s examinations varies from year to year, depending upon how examinees perform compared with the absolute passing standard for their particular examination. An absolute passing standard allows the pass rate to range anywhere from 0% to 100%, as each test taker’s performance is judged independently of the performance of other test takers. More details about passing rates can be found on our Exam Pass Rates webpage.

What is a scaled score?

An examinee’s raw score (the total number of questions answered correctly) is transformed into a scaled score for reporting purposes. This transformation is necessary because different forms (collections of test questions grouped together) are administered for each of our proctored examinations. Examinees are held to the same passing standard regardless of which form they take, so scaled scores — which take into account any variation among the forms — are reported instead of raw scores. With scaled scores, a direct comparison of performance across forms and administrations can be made.

The reporting scale ranges from 1 to 300, with 180 designated as the passing score. Scores on this scale do not represent raw scores and cannot be used to determine the percent correct (i.e., a 180 on the 300-point scale does not mean that candidates need a score of 60% to pass).

Can I find out the raw score for my examination?

No. Because a different examination form (collection of test questions) is used for each exam administrations, the raw score on an exam form is meaningless until it is transformed to a scaled score. For example, answering 160 out of 200 questions correctly on an easy exam form would have a different meaning than answering 160 questions correctly on a harder form. The conversion to a scaled score accounts for these differences making score comparisons across forms meaningful.

My score was just one point below passing. How close was I to passing?

Because a different form (collection of test questions) of the examination is used for each administration, “how close” a score of 179 is to passing may vary slightly across forms and years, but it is likely that between one and five additional questions should have been answered correctly to pass. The ABP will not provide the exact number of questions an examinee answered correctly on a given exam form.

Are repeat test takers scored the same way as those taking examinations for the first time?

Yes. The exam is scored in exactly the same way for all examinees, regardless of whether they are first-time or repeat test takers. All examinees must attain a total scaled score of 180 or higher to pass the exam.

What quality control procedures does the ABP follow when scoring proctored examinations?

First, the ABP’s psychometric staff conducts preliminary scoring to ensure that all data were transmitted accurately from Prometric. Next, we perform an analysis to verify that each question on the examination is statistically and psychometrically valid. Because there are different forms (collections of test questions) for each exam administration, we employ equating techniques to ensure that test takers are held to the same passing standard regardless of which form of the exam they took. Candidate responses are also subject to an internal analysis in order to detect potential test integrity or security issues. The accuracy of exam scores is of utmost importance, and the ABP will not release exam results until all steps in the quality control process have been satisfactorily completed.

How can I be assured that my examination responses were captured and transmitted accurately to the ABP?

The ABP works extensively with Prometric to ensure the necessary steps are in place for accurate transmittal of your responses to the ABP. When the ABP psychometric staff performs initial scoring, they compare their results with the response information provided by Prometric to ensure that all data were transferred accurately. This is just one of many quality control procedures that the ABP uses throughout the scoring process.

May I get my examination score verified?

No. The ABP employs several quality-control procedures to ensure that all exams are scored with complete accuracy. Manual and automated checks are integrated throughout data transmission and scoring processes to ensure the completeness and integrity of each candidate's data.  Please see our other FAQs for more information.

May I appeal my examination score?

No. However, if you experienced a technical or environmental issue during the administration of the examination that you believe had an impact on your performance, you must notify the ABP in writing within three business days from the completion of your exam. Please see our Computer-Based Administration Policy (PDF) and our Appellate Review Procedure (Appeals) Policy (PDF) for specific details.

About Score Reports

When will I receive my examination results?

Results for the General Pediatrics Certifying Exam and subspecialty certifying exams are released to each physician’s ABP Portfolio about two months after the administration date of the exam. Results for proctored Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exams are typically released in the ABP Portfolio within four weeks after your exam date. For MOCA-Peds participants, raw scores and scaled scores of each quarter, each year, and the cumulative final score are posted in the MOCA-Peds platform. The ABP notifies all examinees by email when the scores have been posted.

Why does it take two months to receive initial certifying examination results from the ABP?

After administration of an exam, the ABP follows a number of deliberate procedures before releasing scores, including statistical analyses, a method called equating, security detection, and other quality control processes.

Why does it take a few weeks to get my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) proctored examination results?

Routine quality control activities are conducted before releasing results. These measures require several weeks to complete. For more information, please visit the Scoring page on the ABP website.

Why is the performance of candidates who passed the initial certifying exam provided in my exam score report? Does their performance affect whether I pass?

Performance data for passing candidates is provided only for descriptive purposes. These data are not used in determining the passing standard. Whether you pass is based solely on the number of questions answered correctly. If this number meets or exceeds the absolute standard, then you will pass the examination.

Why do the score reports for the initial certifying examinations show content area scores? Do they affect my total score?

Content area scores are provided solely to give candidates a sense of their areas of strength and weakness. For those who fail the examination, the information may provide guidance regarding areas in which remediation is needed. Your total scaled score is not and cannot be calculated from the content area information provided on your score report. Your total scaled score is based solely on the number of questions you answered correctly across the entire exam.

Why does my Maintenance of Certification (MOC) score report show the content of the examination questions I answered incorrectly?

Content area information is provided solely to give physicians a sense of their areas of strength and weakness. For those who fail the examination, the information may provide guidance regarding areas in which remediation is needed.

How are examination scores reported and used?

Exam scores are released to each individual in their ABP Portfolio, or in the MOCA-Peds platform for MOCA-Peds participants. Scores for the General Pediatrics Initial Certifying Exam and pediatric subspecialty certifying exams also are reported to each candidate’s program. In addition, the ABP uses exam data to conduct research and prevent, detect, investigate, and remediate exam-related misconduct. Refer to the ABP's Privacy Policy (PDF) to better understand how exam data might be used.

Post-Examination FAQs

When do candidates who pass an initial certifying examination receive their certificates?

Certificates are mailed approximately four months after exam results are made available.

Can I receive a duplicate certificate?

Yes, the American Board of Pediatrics will provide a duplicate certificate for any ABP-certified pediatrician. To receive a duplicate certificate, please complete our Duplicate Certificate Request Form (PDF) and email it to support@abpeds.org.

Are the names of board-certified pediatricians published?

Yes. The names and addresses of board-certified pediatricians, but not their examination scores, are sent to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other pediatrics organizations within two months after exam results are made available. ABMS publishes this information on its website. The names, city, state, and country of board-certified pediatricians also are published on the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) website within a few weeks after exam results are shared with examinees.

What is the effective date of certification for candidates who pass an initial certifying examination?

The effective date of certification is the last day that the exam was administered during the testing window.

How many years am I allowed to take and pass a certifying examination before I lose my eligibility?

The ABP's Time-limited Eligibility for Initial Certification Examinations policy establishes a seven-year limit to the time that can lapse between a pediatrician's successful completion of training and achievement of certification. Following expiration of the seven-year time limit period, a candidate must cease and desist from making any representation of board eligibility.

If the required training was not successfully completed within the previous seven years, those desiring board certification must meet the current requirements of the time-limited eligibility policy.
 

This page includes information about how examinations are scored and how scores are reported. If you have a question about your examination results, please refer to this page. If your question remains unanswered, please address your communication to:

The American Board of Pediatrics
111 Silver Cedar Court
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514-1513

Email for questions about scoring: scoring@abpeds.org
Email for all other questions: support@abpeds.org

Please include your ABP ID# in all correspondence.

Please note that the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) requires that all issues encountered on your examination day be reported to the ABP in writing within three business days of your examination date. Therefore, this page does not address technical difficulties or other administration issues experienced at Prometric testing centers.

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