ABP General Pediatrics

It is a computer-based examination with four sections and optional scheduled breaks between sections. The examination is seven hours in length, and candidates need additional appointment time for registration. It is administered at Prometric testing centers. The ABP publishes the content outline that defines the material covered.

The ABP states that the Certifying Examination in General Pediatrics is given once a year in the fall at Prometric testing centers located throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. Exact dates, test-center availability, and appointment scheduling are handled through the ABP and Prometric. Confirm the current cycle's dates and fees with the ABP.

Applicants must meet ABP general admission requirements: graduation from medical school, satisfactory completion of three years of pediatric training in an ACGME-accredited program (or an RCPSC-accredited program in Canada), and a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine. The ABP also publishes policies on waivers, non-standard pathways, and time-limited eligibility; review those details before applying.

Applications are available only through the ABP website, and you apply by logging into your ABP Portfolio. The ABP accepts applications only during exam-specific registration periods. Payment is by credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa). Monitor your portfolio for missing items, acceptance letters, and results; reminders are sent by email, but reviewing your portfolio is your responsibility.

The exam covers general pediatrics as defined by the ABP General Pediatrics Content Outline. The ABP publishes that outline as the content and preparation guide. This independent page does not assign its own topic percentages, and candidates should use the official outline rather than third-party summaries to identify high-yield areas and gaps.

Start with the ABP General Pediatrics Content Outline, then build a study calendar that covers each content area. Practice under timed conditions that mirror four sections and a seven-hour exam day, and rehearse your break plan. Use question sets to find weak areas, review explanations, and revisit those topics. Confirm official logistics and policies directly with the ABP.

A common study error is preparing only by topic and never simulating the four-section, seven-hour format. Candidates may also skip the official content outline, overstudy familiar areas, or fail to plan breaks and appointment-day logistics. Build timed practice early, review wrong answers for reasoning gaps, and adjust your plan based on performance rather than comfort.

The official pages summarized here do not state a passing score, pass rate, or scoring rule for this exam. The ABP maintains separate scoring and score-reporting information, so candidates should consult the ABP directly for current scoring policies and any published pass-rate data. Do not rely on unofficial figures.

The official pages summarized here do not state the retake policy, application timing for re-registrants, or any limits on attempts. A re-registrant is defined by the ABP as someone whose application was accepted for a specific examination but who did not take or pass it. Check the ABP Portfolio and current exam dates and fees page for the applicable rules.