ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Exam

Exam at a glance

Questions

240

Duration

600 minutes

Pass mark

not published

Sections

Single-best-answer clinical vignettes, 4 sessions

Exam type

Written

Language

English

Authority

ABIM

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 11 modules · 327 questions

1. 01Cardiovascular disease57 questions · 17.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: anatomy of the heart
   • Foundations: conduction system and cardiac cycle
   • Foundations: circulation and blood vessels

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 34-year-old man has sharp chest pain for 2 days that improves when leaning forward. ECG shows diffuse ST elevation with PR depression. Echocardiography shows a small effusion without tamponade. Troponin is normal. What is the best initial therapy?

   AIbuprofen plus colchicineBPrednisone 1 mg/kg dailyCHeparin infusionDPericardiocentesisEEmergent cardiac catheterization

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism51 questions · 15.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: endocrine glands and feedback control
   • Foundations: the thyroid in the neck and endocrine emergencies

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 50-year-old man has an incidental 2.5-cm adrenal mass with low attenuation (under 10 Hounsfield units) on CT. Blood pressure is normal and potassium normal. Which test is needed?

   AAdrenal biopsyB1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression testCAdrenalectomyDNo testingEDedicated MRI of the pituitary gland with contrast

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Gastroenterology and hepatology51 questions · 15.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: the digestive tract, digestion and absorption
   • Foundations: peptic ulcer disease and upper GI bleeding

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 48-year-old woman has dyspepsia; a urea breath test is positive for Helicobacter pylori. She has no penicillin allergy and no prior treatment. What is the preferred regimen?

   AClarithromycin triple therapy for 7 daysBAmoxicillin alone for 14 daysCPPI alone for 8 weeksDLevofloxacin triple therapy for 7 daysEBismuth quadruple therapy for 14 days

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Hematology and oncology14 questions · 4.3 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: blood cells, haematopoiesis and haemostasis
   • Foundations: tumour growth, spread and staging

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 42-year-old woman has fatigue and heavy menses. Hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL (98 g/L), MCV 72 fL, ferritin 8 ng/mL (8 µg/L). What is the best initial treatment?

   AIV iron as first-line for allBRed cell transfusionCErythropoietinDVitamin B12 injectionsEOral iron every other day

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Infectious disease51 questions · 15.6 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: bacteria, the Gram stain and antibiotic targets
   • Foundations: infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 68-year-old man develops 8 watery stools daily after a course of clindamycin. C. difficile toxin is positive. WBC is 11,000/µL and creatinine is normal. What is the preferred treatment?

   AOral fidaxomicinBOral metronidazoleCIntravenous vancomycinDLoperamideEFecal microbiota transplant now

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Geriatrics, allergy, dermatology, women's health, ophthalmology and ENT14 questions · 4.3 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: skin structure, primary lesions and burn depth
7. 07Nephrology and urology8 questions · 2.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: structure and function of the kidney
   • Foundations: fluids and electrolytes
   • Foundations: the male urinary tract, prostate and testis
8. 08Neurology8 questions · 2.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: brain anatomy and clinical localisation
   • Foundations: reflexes, the spinal cord and upper versus lower motor neuron signs
   • Foundations: spinal cord tracts and the cranial nerves
   • Foundations: the circle of Willis and intracranial haemorrhage
9. 09Psychiatry8 questions · 2.4 % of the bank
10. 10Pulmonary disease and critical care54 questions · 16.5 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: anatomy of the respiratory tract
    • Foundations: alveoli and gas exchange
    • Foundations: mechanics and control of breathing
    • Foundations: ABCDE approach and airway basics
    • Foundations: life-threatening chest emergencies
    • Foundations: shock, burns and sepsis
11. 11Rheumatology and orthopedics11 questions · 3.4 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: the skeleton, spine and pelvis
    • Foundations: shoulder, wrist and hand
    • Foundations: hip fractures, knee and ankle ligaments

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
• Timed mock exams in the real exam format, with score report by topic
• Personal study plan up to your exam date and review of weak topics
• AI tutor that explains any question in plain words
• One account for the app (iPhone, iPad) and the browser

From registration to licence

The usual steps with ABIM. Details can change; check the current rules with ABIM before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with ABIM and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

Frequently asked questions