ABPath Combined AP/CP Primary Certification

ABPath describes two separate one-day, computer-based components, each with combined written and practical sections. All questions are multiple-choice, one-best-answer. AP includes 205 written/practical questions plus 90 virtual microscopy questions, with no glass slides. CP includes 330 written/practical questions with image, graph, chart, karyotype, pedigree, and red cell panel items.

The AP written/practical section is 3 hours 25 minutes and the virtual microscopy section is 4 hours 30 minutes. The CP written/practical section is 6 hours 36 minutes. The source does not publish a combined total duration for both components, and it does not specify break time or appointment scheduling.

The source page does not state a retake policy, waiting period, or attempt limit. Those rules are not published in the material used for this page. Candidates should consult ABPath's Booklet of Information and official exam policies for the current cycle, and should not rely on unofficial summaries for eligibility or attempt rules.

ABPath uses criterion-referenced tests. The passing or cut-off score is determined in advance by a committee of experts, and each candidate's performance is compared with that cut-off rather than with other test takers. ABPath explicitly does not use norm-referenced tests for certification. No numeric cut-off score is published in the source.

Hematopathology is the largest CP content area at 25%, followed by blood banking/transfusion medicine and medical microbiology at 23% each, chemical pathology and immunopathology/serology at 20%, and laboratory management at 9%. Molecular pathology is integrated across all CP content areas and accounts for 10–15% of the examination.

Approximately 95% of the AP examination concerns pathology of specific organ systems or multisystem disease. The remaining 5% covers general pathology and laboratory management. ABPath notes that general pathology topics-cellular injury, inflammation and repair, physical and chemical injury, congenital and genetic disease, molecular pathology, and infections-may also appear within organ-system questions.

ABPath states that the Revised 4th Edition (2016) WHO classification was used for the 2023 Primary and Subspecialty examinations. Starting in 2024, candidates need to be familiar with both the 2022 International Consensus Classification system and the 5th Edition of the WHO Classification. Candidates should verify current requirements directly with ABPath.

Start with the ABPath content specifications and blueprint, then build a schedule proportional to the published weights. For CP, allocate the largest blocks to hematopathology, blood banking, and microbiology, while integrating molecular pathology into every area. For AP, prioritize organ-system pathology and add regular virtual microscopy sessions. Finish with timed mixed sets in one-best-answer format.

ABPath does not publish candidate error patterns or pass rates in the source. A predictable risk is uneven preparation: the CP blueprint spans five weighted areas, and molecular pathology is embedded across all of them, so neglecting one area leaves a large gap. For AP, candidates should practice virtual microscopy and image interpretation, not just text-based recall.

No. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Board of Pathology. Candidates should confirm application deadlines, fees, accommodations, retake rules, and current exam details directly through ABPath's official website and Booklet of Information.