Examinations

The ABAI offers exams for Certification and Recertification/MOC© once every year. The times and places of examinations are determined by the ABAI and announced in the appropriate specialty journals, in the ABAI newsletters, and on the ABAI website.

*Percentages are approximations.

The examinations include items listed in the examination item classification list as determined by the ABAI Board of Directors as well as current ACGME Program Requirements for Residency Education in Allergy and Immunology.

NOTE: The Recertification Final Examination only covers the Clinical Science section of the Item Classification Outline.

• Item Classification Overview
• Item Classification Outline

Final Exams: Certification and Recertification/MOC©

The one-best answer multiple-choice items are objective and designed to test the individual's knowledge through recall, interpretation, problem solving, and clinical judgment. Examinations may contain both previously used and new questions.

• Test Centers - Certification and Recertification/MOC© examinations are administered annually by computer in proctored test centers throughout the country. It is the responsibility of the candidate to register with the test center. Detailed instructions will be sent out upon receipt of all required application materials.
• Scoring - The Conjoint Standards Committee, with representation from the ABAI, the ABIM, and the ABP, recommends the passing grade for the Certification and Recertification/MOC© Examinations to the Board for its determination. Since 2003, ABAI sets a criterion- reference standard prior to the examination, which verifies a candidate's ability level (score) relative to the performance on the content of the examination. The passing score is computed from an estimate of the probability of an average candidate answering each item correctly. Theoretically, all candidates can pass or fail the examination. The validity of the individual's performance on the examination is secured by every means available.
• Rescore - Candidates who wish for their exam to be rescored must submit a written request via certified mail to ABAI within 30 days of the date on the results letter. A non-refundable fee must accompany the request.
• Failure - Candidates who are unsuccessful on either final examination may re-apply for subsequent scheduled examinations. There is no restriction on the number of opportunities for re-examination.
• Board Review Courses - The ABAI does not sponsor or maintain any records on any courses, which claim to be review courses in preparation for its examinations, nor does it offer or endorse any specific publications or courses to prepare for its examinations. The ABAI publishes an item classification list for the exam.
• Disability Accommodations - Individuals requiring special accommodations during the examinations must provide written documentation by their specialist to the ABAI at the time of application for examination in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact ABAI for further information.
• Irregular Behavior - All Board examinations are supervised by proctors, who are required to report any irregular behavior, which includes, but is not limited to, giving or obtaining unauthorized information or aid before, during, or after the examination as evidenced by observation or subsequent statistical analysis of answer sheets. Offering financial or other benefit to a proctor, employee, or agent of the ABAI is forbidden.

Home Study Examination (Recertification Only)

The open-book examination consists of items in clinical and basic science, many of which require reference to standard textbooks or recently published review articles. Candidates must achieve a passing score of 80% in order to be eligible to sit for the Final Examination. Candidates who fail the initial Home Study Examination are entitled to retest. If a passing score of 80% is not achieved on the retest, the candidate will be excluded from the Recertification/MOC© process that year and may apply the following year.

The Home Study Examination covers the broad area of allergy and immunology in the item classification list and will provide Diplomates with a learning experience in clinical and basic science.