Top 10 Questions About Family Medicine Qbanks & the ABFM Exam

Researching the best ABFM board review methods and exam details can be overwhelming. Rather than doing the time-intensive search yourself, you’ll find the answers to common questions here. This post will help clarify what types of board review options exist, which one(s) are right for you, and what you need to know to prepare for the ABFM Certification Exam. Is there a question you’d like to see here? Let us know and we’ll get the answer for you.

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Should I use a Qbank?

There are many ways to study for the exam, such as live courses, self-directed study, and Qbanks. You need to choose the option that’s best for you. We’re a Qbank company, so we (not surprisingly) think Qbanks are an excellent way to prepare for your test. The article How to Select the Best Family Medicine Board Review Qbank will help you answer these questions:

1. Do I need to use a Qbank?
2. What criteria should I use to make a decision? 

Which FM Qbanks should I compare?

If you don’t have the time to read through the “How to Select a Qbank” article but know you’re interested in a Qbank, these are the companies we suggest trying. Compare them by signing up for a free trial and see which one is right for you:

• AAFP
• Blueprint/Rosh Review
• BoardVitals
• NEJM Knowledge+ (now part of AMBOSS)
• TrueLearn
• UWorld

When is the 2024 ABFM Certification Exam?

April 8-25, 2025 (except April 13 and 20); November 10-18, 2025 (except November 16)

How do I study for the ABFM board exam with a Qbank?

This detailed article about How to Increase Your ABFM Certification Exam Score includes our favorite study tips. Spoiler alert: you should target your “unknown unknowns.” Here’s how you do that:

• Answer a question from a Qbank
• If you answer incorrectly, read the explanation
• Take notes about why the correct answer is correct, and make sure to take notes on anything in the explanation that you didn’t already know

If you do this for every question you answer incorrectly, and if you regularly review your notes and add information to topics as you do more questions, you’ll eventually determine your unknown unknowns. In return, you’ll uncover most of your blind spots that questions on the board exam can ask about. 

The “How to Boost Your Score” article also includes day-of tips like which grammatical mistakes to keep an eye out for to help you narrow down answer choices. Our goal is to help you succeed, so read as many of these tips as you can before exam day.

How many questions are on the ABFM board exam?

There are 300 total questions administered in four sections. You have 95 minutes to complete each section.

What happens if I fail the ABFM board exam?

Life happens. Between practicing medicine, studying for the boards, having a personal life, and dealing with a global pandemic, it’s possible that you might not pass the exam. We believe in you, which is why your subscription is extended until you pass. Even if you didn’t use Blueprint/Rosh Review before taking your exam and you didn’t pass, you get a complimentary subscription until you succeed. We’re here to stand with you throughout your career—not just sell you a product and move on.

Should I use a Qbank for the FMCLA? 

The Family Medicine Certification Longitudinal Assessment (FMCLA) is the ABFM’s recommended method of recertification for physicians who received their initial certification. Rather than taking a 1-day test, for the FMCLA you are given 25 open-book questions each quarter and will answer 300 questions total (you can do this in 3 years or up to 4 years if needed).

Blueprint/Rosh Review’s search feature can easily help you answer open-book questions. See how to search for the information you need.

How do I earn CME with Blueprint/Rosh Review?

If you sign up for an account that is linked to CME, here’s what you need to do:

1. Complete 1,000 questions in your Qbank

Once that’s complete, here’s how to claim and download your certificate:

1. Go to the Account Settings tab (only on desktop/laptop)
2. Select Claim next to the subscription package name (see an example)
3. Complete the survey
4. Download your certificate

You’ll earn 100 AAFP-approved AMA PRA Cat 1 CME credits.

How do I get a discount on Blueprint/Rosh Review?

If you’re part of a group purchase or program purchase, you can receive a discount based on the number of people in your group or program. Active military personnel and attendees of certain conferences can also get a discount.

Are Qbanks worth the money?

Depends on who you ask! Some people do better with live courses, some swear they wouldn’t have passed their exam without a Qbank and that the cost was reasonable and well worth it. Your best bet is to try a free trial and determine what’s right for you. And if you choose Blueprint/Rosh Review, we’ll be with you every step of your career.