In-service Exam FAQs
When is the exam administered?The exam for first, second and third year fellows will be administered each Spring. For 2012, the exam will be administered April 25, 2012 - May 8, 2012. The exam for incoming fellows will be administered each Summer. For 2012, the incoming fellows exam will be administered July 9, 2012 - July 13, 2012. |
What is the APCCMPD In-service ExaminationThe Pulmonary/Critical Care In-service Exam is a 125-question computer based exam constructed to test both pulmonary and critical care knowledge. It has been developed as a “low stakes” examination and not to be used for promotion. The exam was developed for programs to get feedback on their curriculum and for fellows to be able to evaluate their knowledge base from year to year. The Pulmonary/Critical Care In-service Exam content outline can be found here. The Critical Care In-service Exam is a 100-question computer based exam constructed to test critical care knowledge. It has been developed as a “low stakes” examination and not to be used for promotion. The exam was developed for programs to get feedback on their curriculum and for fellows to be able to evaluate their knowledge base from year to year. The Critical Care In-service Exam content outline can be found here. These exams will allow you to benchmark your fellows' knowledge uptake over the course of the fellowship. |
How was the examination developed?The examination was developed by a 9 member writing committee (members of the ACCP/ATS and APCCMPD) in conjunction with AMP (Applied Measurement Professionals). A list of the writing committee can be found on the APCCMPD website. The writing committee used the ABIM blueprint and established program curriculum to develop a content outline. |
How do I register my fellows?Primary contacts will be provided with a special link via email that will take them to a secure online area that will require a unique login and password to access the registration area. The login and password will be provided via email from the testing company to the primary contacts prior to the registration period in March. Please review the APCCMPD In-service Exam Registration Procedures document for complete instructions on the exam registration process. |
How is the exam administered?The exam is administered as a three hour computer based-examination via the Internet. This is a proctored exam, therefore programs should arrange a location where all exam takers can take the exam together (or in groups) under the supervision of a proctor. Information on how to administer the exam will be provided to programs that register in the coming weeks. Every effort should be made to:
For more information, please review the APCCMPD Exam Administration Procedure Manual. |
Who can take the examination?The examination was developed for first, second, and third fellows. The Pulmonary/Critical Care In-service Exam is available for incoming fellows in July. This will help you gauge their knowledge level prior to commencing fellowship and allow you to benchmark their knowledge up-take over the course of the fellowship. |
What type of feedback will my fellows and my program receive?Approximately six weeks after the administration window, program directors and individual fellows will receive results of the examination with a breakdown of all content areas. The program directors will also have access to separate group summary reports that will provide a comparison of each fellow’s results to national averages by year, as well as a comparison of all fellows from that program to national averages.
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How much does the examination cost?Pulmonary and Critical Care In-Service Exam: Critical Care In-Service Exam: Program directors who register their fellows will be able to register to take the complementary examination. |
What are the future plans for the examination?Every year exam questions are reviewed. Exam questions are added and retired based on review of scores. Questions are developed in consultation with a psychometrician. There is also a research protocol that has been IRB approved, which will include comparing the examination to fellow board scores and a program’s curriculum content.
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