Pediatric Board Exam Time Per Question, Number of Blocks & More

ABP Exam Format and Test-Day Tips

When you're prepping for the ABP exam, it's critical to know how the exam is structured and how you can strategically approach the exam based on that structure. Having taken the exam myself (twice), I know that you will have studied for months, learned an immense amount of information, and you’ll be just one step away from becoming board-certified.

But here’s the thing—it’s not just about knowing the content; it’s about mastering your time and energy on exam day. I managed my time poorly on the first block of my exam, and I failed. Over the next year, I strategized a complete plan on how to overcome my failed pediatric board exam experience.

So, how do you manage your time well? Let’s break it down.

How Your Exam Day Will Unfold

Understanding what the entire day will look like can dramatically affect your performance on the exam. It limits surprises and offers you opportunities to save time, maintain a good pace, and conserve your brain power for the final blocks.

In fact, the start of the day even includes components that you can go through at home and skip on the day of the exam. For example, here is a pro tip: if you go through the ABP exam tutorial prior to the exam, you can immediately save 15 minutes, or use that time to get yourself mentally prepared for the first block of the exam.

ABP Pre-Exam Format

• Registration: Arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time. You do NOT want to be late.
• Introduction: Up to 2 minutes (skip this if you have gone through it in the tutorial)
• Honor Core & Non-Disclosure Agreement: Up to 3 minutes (skip this if you have gone through it in the tutorial)
• Tutorial: Up to 10 minutes (skip this if you have gone through it in the tutorial)

ABP Exam Format

1. Examination Section 1: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
2. Break (optional): Up to 15 minutes. Don't take too long or the next section starts automatically.
3. Examination Section 2: Another 1 hour and 45 minutes.
4. Break: Up to 60 minutes. Again, if you’re not back at your desk by the end of the hour, the next section begins.
5. Examination Section 3: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
6. Break: Up to 15 minutes.
7. Examination Section 4: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
8. Optional Survey: Up to 15 minutes—skip it.

That adds up to a total test day of 8.5 to 9 hours. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. So pace yourself.

ABP Initial Certification Exam Block Format

The initial certification exam consists of about 330 to 350 questions spread over four blocks. Each block contains roughly 84 questions, though this can vary slightly. You will have 1 hour and 45 minutes per block. 

Tips for Maintaining A Good Pace

At 330 to 350 questions over four blocks, that works out to about 75 seconds per question. If you keep track of your pacing, this is manageable. But, saying on top of the timer is a skill in itself since the timer is counting down backwards. 

Here are some tips to guide you with your pacing:

• Aim to complete approximately 12 questions every 15 minutes.
• 1 hour 30 minutes left: You should be starting question #13
• 1 hour 15 minutes left: You should be starting question #25.
• 1 hour 00 minutes left: You should be starting question #37.
• 0 hours 45 minutes left: You’re should be starting question #49.
• 0 hours 30 minutes left: You’re should be starting question #61.
• 0 hours 15 minutes left: You’re should be starting question #73.
• 00 minutes left: You should have finished question #84.

Pro tip: Check the number of questions in the block at the beginning and adjust your pacing accordingly. If a block has more than 84 questions, adjust. For example, if there are 86 questions, aim to complete 25 questions every half hour for the 60 minutes and then return to your usual pace of 24 questions every half hour.

The Importance of Time Management

You might be tempted to take your time on those first few questions, or on the challenging questions, but don’t fall into that trap. 

Pro tip: Check the last 10 questions to see if they are short or long when you first start an exam block. The ABP exam blocks have been known to contain short, easy to answer questions at the END of an exam block.

Therefore, if you take too long on certain questions, you’ll end up rushing at the end. The last thing you want is to feel that panic and have your mind go blank on 7 easy questions buried at the back of the exam block.

Breaks: Use Them Wisely

Pro tip: don’t use the full duration of your lunch break. 

Scrolling through your phone or stressing about the exam works against you. It lengthens the day and makes you tired during your final two blocks. 

Use your 60-minute break to eat, stretch, rest (and reset), and then get back into your exam room within 30 minutes. 

Test-Taking Tips: Keep Calm and Carry On

When exam day comes, it’s normal to feel anxious. Do not it get the best of you. If you’ve studied the content, worked on your test-taking strategy, and you can easily reach for tools to help abort anxious thoughts (like the ones PBR’s VIP Bundle members have), you should be able to calm your nerves and carry on.

Another key tip: don’t let one tough question shake you. I’ve been there—you hit a question that feels like it came from a different planet, and you panic. It doesn’t mean you’re unprepared; it just means you got a tough question, or possibly even a question that is being tried out on the boards and will be thrown out. Flag it, move on, and come back later if you have time.

Mastering the Exam

PBR has helped thousands of pediatricians attain, and maintain, board certification. This includes pediatricians who failed as many as 9 and 10 times before passing with PBR. That’s why we even offer a Money Back First-Time Pass Guarantee. Click here and learn why pediatricians who use PBR are more likely to pass their boards.

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