Anesthesia Board
American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) BASIC Exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The ABA BASIC Exam is the first of the three staged examinations in the American Board of Anesthesiology's initial certification pathway, followed by the ADVANCED and APPLIED exams. Under the ABA's updated policy, effective Jan. 1, 2025, the BASIC Exam remains a qualifying exam for initial ABA certification, and candidates must pass it for entry into the exam system. The ABA continues to describe the exam as an independent evaluation that assesses a resident's foundational knowledge and ability to meet a high standard.
This study guide is written for anesthesiology residents preparing for that first staged exam. Study content spans the basic sciences that underlie anesthesia practice - physics and equipment, physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology - alongside clinical anesthesia, specialty and subspecialty topics, and the professional practice, patient safety, and quality improvement material that rounds out the exam blueprint.
Build preparation around the blueprint rather than isolated facts: work through physiology and pharmacology by organ system, tie each concept back to a clinical scenario, and use missed practice questions to decide what to revisit. The ABA encourages residents to take the BASIC Exam as soon as they are eligible, calling it valuable feedback, and cites a 2018 study concluding that taking the exam fosters and measures the acquisition of important foundational knowledge during residency.
This page is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the ABA; confirm all policy and logistics details with the ABA directly.
What you'll study
About Anesthesia Board preparation
What is the BASIC Exam, and is it still required?
Yes. After reviewing its BASIC Exam policy, the ABA decided the exam will remain a qualifying exam for initial ABA certification, and candidates must pass it for entry into the exam system. The policy update took effect Jan. 1, 2025.
If I fail the BASIC Exam a second time, is that automatically reported as an unsatisfactory on my CCC report?
Under the updated policy, no. If a candidate fails the BASIC Exam a second or subsequent time, it will no longer lead to an automatic "unsatisfactory" on CCC reports. Programs still complete and submit CCC reports for residents who choose to take the exam and pursue ABA certification.
Does the updated policy apply to me if I took or failed the exam before January 1, 2025?
No. The updated policy applies only to candidates who take the BASIC Exam after Jan. 1, 2025. It is not applied retroactively to anyone who took the exam before that date, and previously awarded "unsatisfactory" grades will not be changed because of the update.
Who is affected by the policy change?
It applies to all candidates who choose to pursue ABA certification, but only to those currently active in residency as of Jan. 1, 2025 and future residents. The ABA also states the update is effective for any resident who has not passed the BASIC Exam prior to Jan. 1, 2025.
Does this change mean my program cannot set its own BASIC requirements?
No. Individual programs remain free to set specific requirements for their residents at their own discretion. Each residency program, and not the ABA, establishes its program's academic and graduation requirements, so ask your program how your BASIC performance is used.
Will my program still see how I performed on the exam?
Yes. The ABA states it will continue to inform programs of the performance of their residents on the BASIC Exam, and each program will continue to complete and submit CCC reports for residents who take the exam and pursue ABA certification.
How many questions are on the exam, how long is it, and what is the passing score and fee?
The ABA source material reviewed here does not state these details. Rather than guess, confirm the current format, timing, item count, passing standard, and fee directly with the ABA, since exam logistics are revised periodically.
Should I sit the BASIC Exam as soon as I am eligible?
The ABA says it continues to encourage residents to take the BASIC Exam as soon as they are eligible, because it provides valuable feedback. The ABA also cites a 2018 study concluding that taking the BASIC Exam fosters and measures the acquisition of important foundational knowledge during residency.
What should I study first, and what are common failure modes?
Start with physiology and pharmacology organized by organ system, since they carry the most clinical leverage, then physics and equipment, folding pathophysiology into clinical scenarios. Two common traps: memorizing isolated facts instead of applying them to a case, and postponing the exam until clinical duties crowd out study time.