ABPS Plastic Surgery
ABPS Plastic Surgery Written Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Written Examination is the computer-based, multiple-choice knowledge assessment that candidates must pass before advancing to the Oral Examination in the board certification process for plastic surgery. It is intended for surgeons who have completed or are completing accredited plastic surgery training and have entered the ABPS examination process. The examination samples the breadth of plastic surgery, and the Board publishes a Written Examination Process & Requirements document, a Quick Reference Tips guide for written exam candidates, and an Examination Content outline that together define the scope and the content categories tested. ABPS also offers a practice exam, which candidates commonly use to become familiar with the item style and pacing before test day. Preparation should be organized around the Board's published content outline rather than around any single textbook: work through the content categories systematically, use the practice exam to identify weak areas, and build a spaced review schedule that leaves time for repetition of high-yield topics. Confirm current dates, deadlines, and registration steps directly with the Board, since scheduling information is announced on ABPlasticSurgery.org and changes between administrations. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ABPS.
What you'll study
About ABPS Plastic Surgery preparation
What is the ABPS Written Examination and why does it matter?
It is the written, knowledge-based component of the American Board of Plastic Surgery certification process. Passing it is a prerequisite for moving on to the Oral Examination, so it functions as the gateway step in the certification sequence rather than an optional self-assessment.
What format is the exam?
The Board describes it as a written examination and publishes a Written Examination Process & Requirements document plus an Examination Content outline. The source page does not state an item count or time limit, so check the current Process & Requirements document on ABPlasticSurgery.org before you plan your pacing.
When is the next Written Examination?
The Board's site lists the Written Examination for May 11, 2027. Dates are announced on the ABPS homepage and can change between administrations, so verify the date and any associated deadlines on ABPlasticSurgery.org before making travel or scheduling commitments.
How hard is it, and what trips candidates up?
The exam samples broadly across plastic surgery, so the usual failure mode is deep expertise in one subspecialty paired with thin coverage elsewhere. Candidates who only drill their own practice area tend to struggle on breadth. Use the Board's content outline to audit your coverage and close gaps deliberately.
What should I study, and in what order?
Start from the Board's Examination Content outline, map each content category to your own confidence level, and front-load the weakest areas. Then cycle back through everything on a spaced schedule. The ABPS practice exam is useful for familiarizing yourself with item style and for diagnosing gaps, not as a substitute for content review.
Does the ABPS offer a practice exam?
Yes. The Board's site includes an ABPS Written Examination Practice Exam as a separate resource for candidates. Treat it as a format and pacing familiarization tool and a diagnostic, then return to content study based on what it reveals rather than repeating it until the answers feel familiar.
Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?
The Board publishes reapplication information and a reapplication section on its site, which governs what happens after an unsuccessful attempt. The source page does not state a retake limit or waiting period, so read the current reapplication requirements directly before you assume a timeline.
How do I register, and who do I contact with questions?
Registration runs through the Board's entering-the-examination-process and resident registration pages on ABPlasticSurgery.org. For questions, the Board Office can be reached at 215-587-9322, and the Board also lists a technical support contact. Confirm deadlines on the Important Dates & Deadlines page.
Is this page affiliated with the ABPS?
No. This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Always treat ABPlasticSurgery.org as the authoritative source for requirements, dates, fees, and policy.