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ABPN Psychiatry Board Certification Exam Practice Test

140 questions available

Preparation for American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certification covering psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, forensic psychiatry, and ethics. Administered by ABPN. Key domains include Anxiety disorders, Behavioral/social sciences and psychosocial mechanisms of diseases, Bipolar and related disorders and Clinical aspects of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders. The exam consists of 425 questions over 510 minutes.

Certification exam
425 Exam questions
8 hours 30 minutes Time Limit
Practice bank
140 Practice Questions
2 hours 20 minutes Practice Time
Start Practice
The bank 140 Practice questions checked against the official objectives.
qf-import140 practice questions13 answers with a checkable referenceBlueprint 1.0Bank updated 2026-05-08

Sample Questions

Try a few questions to see what the full exam is like.

13 of 140 answers carry a checkable reference.

Diagnosis and DSM-5-TR

A 35-year-old repeatedly checks his pulse and seeks reassurance that he has cancer despite normal evaluations. He has minimal somatic symptoms but high health anxiety. Best diagnosis?

Psychotherapy and Therapy Modalities

A patient with specific phobia of dogs creates a hierarchy from looking at dog photos to standing near a calm dog while using relaxation. Which therapy principle is most central?

Pharmacotherapy and Psychopharmacology

A severely depressed patient with psychotic guilt, refusal to eat, and dehydration needs the fastest definitive treatment. Which option is most appropriate?

Psychotherapy and Therapy Modalities

A therapist helps a patient notice painful thoughts as mental events, clarify values, and take committed action despite anxiety. Which therapy is most likely?

Pharmacotherapy and Psychopharmacology

A patient with treatment-resistant depression asks about TMS. Which statement is most accurate?

Why This Certification Opens Doors

Board certification is not merely a credential; it is a public attestation of your dedication to the highest standards of patient care. It demonstrates to patients, families, colleagues, and institutions that you possess the validated knowledge and judgment necessary for competent, independent practice. In the real world, this certification directly impacts your professional credibility, expands career opportunities in clinical, academic, and leadership roles, and is frequently a prerequisite for insurance panel participation and hospital admitting privileges. Ultimately, it serves as a foundational marker of quality and commitment in the field of mental health.

Exam Blueprint

01Anxiety disorders
02Behavioral/social sciences and psychosocial mechanisms of diseases
03Bipolar and related disorders
04Clinical aspects of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders
05Depressive disorders
06Developmental processes and development through the life cycle
07Diagnostic procedures
08Dimension 2 topics without a corresponding Dimension 1 topic
09Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders
10Dissociative disorders
11Eating disorders
12Elimination disorders
13Gender dysphoria
14Interpersonal and communication skills
15Neurocognitive disorders
16Neurodevelopmental disorders
17Neurologic disorders
18Neuroscience and mechanisms of disease
19Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
20Other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention
21Paraphilic disorders
22Personality disorders
23Practice-based learning and improvement
24Professionalism, ethics, and the law
25Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
26Sexual dysfunctions
27Sleep-wake disorders
28Somatic symptom and related disorders
29Substance-related and addictive disorders
30Systems-based practice
31Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
32Treatment

Exam Details ABPN-P | 8 hours 30 minutes

Exam Code ABPN-P
Vendor qf-import
Time Limit 8 hours 30 minutes
Exam questions 425

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the ABPN Psychiatry Board Exam?

The exam is a computer-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions, primarily in single-best-answer format. The questions are presented as detailed clinical vignettes requiring diagnosis, investigation, and management decisions. The exam is taken in one full-day session.

How many times can I attempt the exam?

The ABPN allows a maximum of four attempts to pass each component of the board certification process (the written exam and, separately, the oral exam, which has been replaced by other assessments in recent pathways). Specific policies can change, so it is essential to verify the current rules on the official ABPN website.

What is the best resource for studying?

There is no single 'best' resource. A combination is most effective: core psychiatry textbooks (e.g., Kaplan & Sadock), question banks specifically designed for the boards, the DSM-5-TR for diagnostic criteria, and review courses. Your residency notes and clinical experience are also invaluable. Focus on materials that emphasize clinical application.

When should I start preparing?

Most candidates begin serious, dedicated study 4 to 6 months before the exam date. This allows sufficient time to cover all major topics systematically, identify weak areas, and complete ample practice questions without resorting to ineffective cramming.

Is there an oral exam component?

The traditional oral exam has been phased out for most candidates. The current primary pathway to certification involves passing the written exam described here. However, the ABPN's requirements evolve, so candidates must confirm the exact pathway applicable to their graduation year on the ABPN website.