About the In-Training Exam

The Emergency Medicine In-training Exam is developed and administered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). This comprehensive exam is derived from ABEM’s Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine which outlines the scope of the EM specialty. Most EM Residency programs across the country participate in the in-training exam. All resident classes take the same exam which is based on the knowledge and experience that a third year resident should have acquired.

Exam Stats:
 

• Approximately 225 questions (200 count towards score and 25 are experimental questions) over 4.25 hours
• Single-best answer multiple-choice questions
• 10-15% of test has pictorial stimulus (separate book with photographs, x-rays, etc, will be provided)
• Usually administered at a location determined by residency program
• Usually on the last Wednesday in February

According to ABEM, the standardized exam is a tool for residents and faculty to judge a resident’s progress towards board certification. Therefore, it does not have a passing score. However, there is a strong correlation between in-training exam scores and passing the qualifying exam, as physicians with higher in-training scores have a higher likelihood of passing the qualifying exam. Please refer to the ABEM website for additional information or clarification.