Examination Format

COMVEX Computer-Based Examinations

The COMVEX examination consists of 300 multiple-choice questions (items), each with a single best answer. Some test questions involve audio-visual components designed to assess an expanded physician competency subset. For an outline of the topics that may be included in the COMVEX examination and details about the test day, please review the COMVEX Bulletin of Information.

The examination is divided into four 75-item sections and is administered in two sessions of two sections each: one 3.5-hour morning session, and another 3.5-hour afternoon session. During the examination, three optional breaks can be taken: two 10-minute breaks and a 40-minute lunch break. Use of these optional breaks does not reduce candidates’ available testing time.

Available Examination Features

Examination Review Screen

A review page is presented for each section. This provides candidates with information about the status of the items in the current section, which includes questions completed, questions marked for further review, and questions left incomplete (i.e., no answer is given).

Advancing through Examination Sections

Once a section is completed, the candidate cannot return to review or change any answers within that section.

Time Limitations

Although each session is 3.5 hours in total, the two individual sections within a session are self-paced. A clock is provided to assist with time management. Warnings are given of the time remaining before the end of each 3.5-hour session.

Examination Visual References

Use of an “Exhibit” button may be required in order to see graphic materials related to a test question. These “Exhibits” consist of images, videos, or audio avatars. In some cases, two “Exhibits” may be used in order to answer a question.

Additional Tools

New functional features have been added, including a built-in standard calculator and lab values with reference ranges (where applicable) embedded directly into test questions.