I extensively interviewed an ABIM employee to be able to get this information. I have tried to simplify its presentation. You can call the ABIM if you have any doubts. If you are sure that there has been a change from what I describe here, please email me at editor@superscore.com

I am sure that the description below will address many of  your questions about the exam.

The contents/blueprints of the internal medicine recert exam and the regular exam are different.

The test for recert lasts 1 day only as opposed to 2 days for the first certification.

There are two separate components to the Re-cert: 1) The CPD (Continuous professional development) and 2) the ACTUAL WRITTEN TEST.

The written test is different and I will first explain that to you.

It can be taken only after you complete the CPD.

The written test lasts 6 hours, lasts one day and is offered twice a year  - in May and December (as opposed to once a year for the initial certification exam).

It has 3 booklets. Each booklet has 60 MCQs. All MCQs are of the single best answer type. There are multiple centers to take the test.

Now coming to this CPD program.

It has 5 modules. It consists of questions that you can answer at your own home/location. You are allowed to refer to books and other resources for the module.

You get one module only at a time. You should finish and return the module within 90 days. If you cannot, you Must call ABIM and request an extension. Otherwise it expires.

Once you finish one module, you request your second module, and so forth until you have done all 5 modules and then you are eligible to write the above mentioned ACTUAL WRITTEN TEST.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INITIAL CERIFICATION AND RE-CERTIFICATION EXAM

 

INITIAL

RECERTIFICATION

ELIGIBILITY FOR TAKING

AFTER SUCCESSFUL RESIDENCY – BUT CAN ENROLL IN THE FINAL YEAR OF RESIDENCY ITSELF.

AT LEAST 5 YEARS AFTER INITIAL CERTIFICATION

I recommend doing it at the earliest.

PERIOD FOR REGISTRATION TO ENROLL

SEPTEMBER 1-DECEMBER 1 OF PRIOR YEAR

ALL YEAR ROUND FOR INITIAL ENROLLMENT THEN DEADLINES FOR EACH EXAM

NUMBER OF COMPONENTS

1 (ACTUAL WRITTEN TEST ONLY)

2 (CPD AND THEN ACTUAL WRITTEN TEST AFTER COMPLETING 5 MODULES OF CPD)

NUMBER OF DAYS FOR ACTUAL WRITTEN TEST

2

1

NUMBER OF BOOKLETS

4 (2/DAY)

3 (ALL IN ONE DAY)

NUMBER OF QUESTIONS/BOOKLET (APPROX)

120

60

NUMBER OF HOURS PER BOOKLET

4

2

TOTAL HOURS OF TESTING (ACTUAL WRITTEN TEST ONLY)

16

6

NUMBER OF TIMES OFFERED PER YEAR

1 (AUGUST)

2 (May & NOvember)

GUIDANCE SOURCE

http://www.superscore.com/ !!!

http://www.superscore.com/!!!

 

Recertification Examination Dates

The ABIM offers Recertification Examinations twice each year, in May and November. 
Examination Date Registration Period
May 4, 2004 December 1, 2003 - March 1, 2004
November 3, 2004 June 1, 2004 - September 1, 2004
May 3, 2005 December 1, 2004 - March 1, 2005
November 2, 2005 June 1, 2005 - September 1, 2005
Spring and Fall 2006 To be Announced