ABIM Cardiovascular Disease Board Certification Practice Test

Candidates must hold a current, valid ABIM Internal Medicine certification and have successfully completed a minimum of 36 months of accredited cardiovascular disease fellowship training in the United States or Canada. All required training must be completed by December 31 of the year preceding the exam. Applicants must also possess a valid, unrestricted medical license and demonstrate moral and ethical behavior in the profession.

The exam is a one-day, computer-based test consisting of approximately 240 single-best-answer, multiple-choice questions. The questions are divided into four sessions, each lasting up to two hours, with optional breaks in between. The content is primarily clinical, featuring patient-centered scenarios that assess diagnostic reasoning, management decisions, and interpretation of imaging and test results.

ABIM certification is time-limited. To maintain certification, diplomates must enroll in the MOC program, which requires ongoing engagement in four components: 1) Maintaining a valid medical license, 2) Earning continuing medical education (CME) and MOC points through accredited activities, 3) Demonstrating medical knowledge by passing a secure MOC assessment every 10 years, and 4) Engaging in practice improvement activities. This structured process ensures lifelong learning and competency.

The exam blueprint is centered on the clinical practice of an academic or clinical cardiologist. It heavily emphasizes diagnosis and management across core domains: coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, vascular medicine, preventive cardiology, and congenital heart disease in adults. A significant portion also tests knowledge of diagnostic modalities, including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac CT/MRI, and invasive hemodynamics.

ABIM provides a detailed exam blueprint and content outline, which is the essential guide for study. Most candidates utilize a combination of major cardiology textbooks (e.g., Braunwald's Heart Disease), contemporary review courses, question banks specifically designed for the boards, and a thorough review of current American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) clinical practice guidelines. Integrating fellowship clinical experience with systematic study is key.