Prep
Prepare for Exam Day
- Save your confirmation email from Pearson VUE and have it on hand so you know all the details of your appointment.
- Review the Policy on Exam Irregularities (Abbreviated Version here). In order to take the QE, you must agree to this policy at your exam appointment.
- Know your rights and responsibilities as an exam candidate.
- Go to the Pearson VUE website to familiarize yourself with the center’s rules and take the testing platform tutorial.Â
- Look over the exam day timeline (below) so you know what to expect.
Exam Day Timeline
1. Arrive at the testing site
- Arrive at least 30 minutes BEFORE your appointment time. Give yourself plenty of time to check in and get situated.Â
- Your appointment time is eight hours long. Six hours and 20 minutes of that is actual testing time. There is a one hour scheduled break, and 40 minutes for check in and prep time.
- If you arrive more than 30 minutes AFTER your scheduled appointment time, the testing center may not be able to seat you. You may reschedule your appointment within the same testing period if seats are still available.
2. Check in
- Having your appointment confirmation from Pearson VUE on hand might help expedite the check-in process.
- The test administrator will check your ID, then take your photograph, signature, and infrared palm vein image. This information is strictly confidential and secured. It is only used to confirm your identity.
- If you received approval for a testing accommodation, inform the test administrator at this time. It may be helpful to present your approval letter from ABEM.
3. Getting ready for your exam
- Your personal items will need to go in a locker. You can have the locker key with you during the exam.
- You will be asked to agree to ABEM’s Policy on Exam Irregularities. This is required to take your exam.
- You will also need to review the testing center’s rules of agreement.
- An optional exam tutorial will be offered. If you have not already, we recommend you take it.
- The test administrator will provide you with instructions and a dry-erase board for taking notes.
- After all this, you will be seated in the testing room.
4. Take the exam
- Your testing time is divided into two, three hour and 10-minute sessions with a scheduled break in between. The timer does not stop for anything other than the scheduled break.
- The exam is computer-based and includes approximately 305 multiple-choice questions.
- Raise your hand for the test administrator if you need an unscheduled break or have a question.
5. Scheduled break
- The exam timer will stop for exactly one hour. Be in your seat at the end of the break or risk losing testing time.
- You are allowed to leave the testing site during the scheduled break. Upon your return, you will need to check back in with a palm scan.
- You are allowed to take phone calls at this time; however, you are NOT allowed to access information on your phone or any other device.
- For unscheduled breaks: raise your hand to let the test administrator know you need a break. Leaving the building, using your phone, or accessing any outside information (notes, laptops, study guides etc.) is prohibited and violates the Policy on Exam Irregularity.
6. After the exam
- When you finish your exam, raise your hand for the test administrator and exit the testing room.
- Collect your personal items.
- Return your locker key, dry erase board, and marker.
- There is a post exam survey. Though optional, we encourage you to take it so the Board can learn from your experiences.
- You will receive an exam confirmation receipt.
- Once you check out of the testing center, you are not allowed to re-enter.
- Your scores will be released within 90 days of your exam date. You will receive an email notification when they are ready, and results will be in your ABEM Portal.
