In 2019, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) introduced the Knowledge Check-In as a convenient alternative to the traditional MOC exam that is required by physicians every 10 years to maintain their board certification.
Here are some of the most common questions surrounding the ABIM Knowledge Check-In.
What specialties is the Knowledge Check-In available in?
See the chart below to see which ABIM specialties the Knowledge Check-In is currently available in and when other specialties will be available.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Cardiovascular Disease Geriatric Medicine Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Gastroenterology Hematology Infectious Disease Pulmonary Disease Rheumatology |
Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Critical Care Medicine Hospice & Palliative Medicine Hospital Medicine Internal Medicine Interventional Cardiology Medical Oncology Nephrology Sleep Medicine Transplant Hepatology |
Cardiovascular Disease Geriatric Medicine Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Gastroenterology Hematology Infectious Disease Pulmonary Disease Rheumatology |
How often are you required to take the Knowledge Check-In?
Physicians who choose to take the Knowledge Check-In are required to pass it every 2 years.
Where can you take the Knowledge Check-In?
Physicians have the convenience of taking the Knowledge Check-In at the test center or the comfort of their home or workplace. The traditional MOC exam can only be taken at an official test center.
How long is the Knowledge Check-In?
Roughly 3 hours are allotted for the Knowledge Check-In.
How is the Knowledge Check-In monitored?
The Knowledge Check-In is recorded and spot-checked but there is no live proctoring.
What is the Knowledge Check-In schedule?
The schedule of the Knowledge Check-In varies depending on the size of the specialty population. There will likely be more exam dates if your specialty population is relatively larger.
How many medical knowledge points does the Knowledge Check-In award?
Physicians can earn 20 medical knowledge points for every attempt at a Knowledge Check-In.
Will UptoDate access be available during the Knowledge Check-In?
Access to UptoDate will be available to physicians during the Knowledge Check-In. UptoDate is an online, evidence-based clinical decision support resource.
What are the best ways to prepare for the Knowledge Check-In
One of the best resources to prepare for the ABIM Knowledge Check-In is NEJM’s Internal Medicine Knowledge+ activity. This comprehensive online board review activity “helps you learn what you need to know to improve your medical practice while earning CME credits and ABIM MOC points”.
The questions banks and practice exams in this activity correspond to the ABIM blueprint to help you prepare for what you will actually see on exam day. Other features include:
- Earn up to 341 ABIM MOC points and 341 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
- Created and rigorously reviewed by our expert panel of 200+ subspecialty fellows and attending physicians from leading academic centers
- Adaptive learning technology to easily identify your strengths and weaknesses
- Reporting – easily track your performance and progress
- Practice questions that align with ABIM exam questions
- Online convenience – learn on your schedule, whenever and wherever you want
What do you need to do before exam day?
It is important to complete the system check on the same computer that you plan on using on the day of the exam and in the same location where you will take the exam.
The video below provides more information regarding the check-in process.
What do you need to do/have on exam day?
It is recommended that you sign into the Physician Portal at least 30 minutes before the exam starts to allow for troubleshooting.
Also, make sure you are using the same computer you used for the system check prior to the exam. A valid ID will need to be presented during the check-in process.
How long does it take to receive results for the Knowledge Check-In?
A complete score report for the Knowledge Check-In will be available within 3-4 weeks after taking the exam. However, physicians can choose to get their exam results immediately after completion.