ACG CxA
ACG Certified Excellence in Gastroenterology (CxA)
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
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ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The ACG Certified Excellence in Gastroenterology (CxA) is presented here as a professional credential for gastroenterologists and advanced practice providers who want structured, exam-based validation of their clinical knowledge. This page is an independent study resource; it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology. The blueprint is organized into six weighted domains: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Knowledge and Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Procedures at 20 percent each, followed by Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Disease and Hepatology, and Functional GI and Motility Disorders at 15 percent each, and Practice Management, Quality, and Health Equity at 15 percent. Because the source material does not publish the number of items, the time limit, the passing score, the fee, the retake policy, or the validity period, those figures are marked for review rather than estimated. Preparation should combine guideline-based reading in each domain with self-assessment practice and hands-on exposure to endoscopic and motility content. Candidates typically study highest-weight domains first, then integrate quality, coding, and health-equity material, which is easy to defer and costly to skip. Always confirm exam logistics directly with the administering body before scheduling.
What you'll study
About ACG CxA preparation
What is the ACG CxA exam format?
The published blueprint lists multiple choice as the only confirmed format. The number of questions, whether items are single-best-answer or vignette-based, and whether any sections are timed separately are not stated in the available source, so verify these details with the administering organization before you build a study plan around them.
How is the exam weighted across topics?
Six domains carry fixed weights: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Knowledge, 20 percent; Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Procedures, 20 percent; Inflammatory Bowel Disease, 15 percent; Liver Disease and Hepatology, 15 percent; Functional GI and Motility Disorders, 15 percent; and Practice Management, Quality, and Health Equity, 15 percent. The two 20 percent domains deserve proportionally more study time.
How long is the exam and what score do I need to pass?
Neither the duration nor the passing standard appears in the source material available for this page, so both are flagged for review rather than guessed. Candidates should request the current time limit and scoring policy from the administering body, since these details change between exam revisions and directly affect pacing strategy on test day.
Is the exam hard, and what trips people up?
Difficulty is not published, but the blueprint itself signals the common failure modes: candidates over-study general GI knowledge and under-prepare the 15 percent domains. Practice management, quality, and health equity is the most frequently neglected block, and motility and IBD questions reward guideline-specific detail over general recall. Endoscopy content also assumes familiarity with procedure technique and quality metrics.
What study order do you recommend?
Start with the two 20 percent domains, since they carry the most scoring weight, and layer guideline reading with self-assessment questions. Then move through IBD, liver disease, and functional GI and motility at 15 percent each. Finish with practice management, quality, and health equity, and schedule a full review pass in the final weeks rather than leaving that domain untouched.
Can I retake the exam, and how long is the credential valid?
The retake policy and validity period are not stated in the source material, so this page does not state them. Both are commonly set by the administering body and may change between cycles. Confirm the current retake rules, any waiting period, and recertification requirements directly before you register, and record the answer for your own planning.
What resources should I use to prepare?
Build preparation around published clinical guidelines, society self-assessment and board-prep question sets, and journal-based CME in gastroenterology and hepatology. The source describes self-directed online CME tools aimed at board preparation and recertification. Pair question practice with review of your incorrect answers, since pattern recognition across repeated misses is the fastest route to closing knowledge gaps.
Does this page belong to the ACG or grant the credential?
No. This is an independent study page prepared by a third-party platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology. It summarizes a publicly described exam blueprint to help you plan study. All registration, eligibility, fees, and scoring decisions rest with the administering organization, so treat this page as preparation support only.