100+ Free ABC Drug Analysis Practice Questions

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Which accreditation standard is the foundation for forensic laboratory quality systems, including seized-drug units?

ISO/IEC 17025

ISO 14001

ISO 9001

OSHA 1910

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Key Facts: ABC Drug Analysis Exam

200 + 20

Scored + Pilot Questions

ABC Drug Analysis page (criminalistics.com)

Up to 3 hrs

Test Duration

ABC Drug Analysis page

2 yrs

Minimum Casework Experience

ABC Drug Analysis page

$325

Application + Sitting Fees

ABC Fees page ($75 + $250)

5 yrs

Certification Validity

ABC Recertification page

$100

Annual Maintenance Fee

ABC Recertification page

Cat A

SWGDRUG Top Selectivity (IR, MS, NMR, Raman)

SWGDRUG Recommendations

The ABC Drug Analysis Specialty Exam is a 200-question (plus 20 pilot) ABC certification for forensic seized-drug analysts, lasting up to 3 hours. Prerequisites: passing the ABC General Knowledge Examination (GKE) and at least 2 years of authorized seized-drug casework. Fees are $75 application plus $250 sitting, with $100 annual maintenance during the 5-year cycle. Passing scores are confidential. The exam covers controlled-substance scheduling, drug-class chemistry (cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, cannabinoids), presumptive color tests (Marquis, Scott, Duquenois-Levine), instrumental confirmation (GC-MS, FTIR, LC-MS/MS), SWGDRUG Category A/B/C identification criteria, sampling plans, and report writing. ABC is no longer accepting new Drug Analysis applications; new candidates apply for the Seized Drug Analysis exam instead.

Sample ABC Drug Analysis Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ABC Drug Analysis exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), what is the defining characteristic of a Schedule I substance?

A.High potential for abuse and currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions

B.High potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision

C.Moderate potential for abuse and currently accepted medical use

D.Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule IV substances

Explanation: Schedule I substances under the CSA (21 U.S.C. §812) have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Heroin, LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and marijuana (federally) are Schedule I. Schedule II substances have accepted medical use but with severe restrictions.

2Which DEA schedule contains heroin, LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA?

A.Schedule I

B.Schedule II

C.Schedule III

D.Schedule IV

Explanation: Heroin, LSD, psilocybin/psilocin, MDMA, and federally marijuana are all Schedule I controlled substances under the CSA. They share no currently accepted medical use in the U.S., a high abuse potential, and a lack of accepted safety profile under medical supervision.

3Cocaine and methamphetamine are listed in which DEA schedule?

A.Schedule I

B.Schedule II

C.Schedule III

D.Schedule IV

Explanation: Cocaine (as cocaine hydrochloride for topical anesthesia) and methamphetamine (as Desoxyn for ADHD/obesity) retain accepted U.S. medical uses, so they are Schedule II despite high abuse potential. Schedule II requires a written prescription with no refills.

4Under the Federal Analogue Act (21 U.S.C. §813), an analog substance is treated as a Schedule I or II controlled substance only if it is intended for which use?

A.Industrial chemical synthesis

B.Human consumption

C.Animal veterinary use

D.Laboratory reference material

Explanation: The Federal Analogue Act provides that a controlled-substance analog (substantially similar chemical structure with stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect) is treated as a Schedule I substance only to the extent it is intended for human consumption. Marketing chemicals 'not for human consumption' has historically been a defense strategy, though intent is established through context (packaging, dosing, route).

5Most benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam) are classified in which DEA schedule?

A.Schedule II

B.Schedule III

C.Schedule IV

D.Schedule V

Explanation: Alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, midazolam, and most other benzodiazepines are Schedule IV controlled substances under the CSA. They have lower abuse potential than Schedule III drugs and accepted medical use as anxiolytics, sedatives, and anticonvulsants.

6Which color test is most commonly used as a presumptive screen for cocaine?

A.Marquis test

B.Duquenois-Levine test

C.Scott (cobalt thiocyanate) test

D.Dille-Koppanyi test

Explanation: The Scott test (modified cobalt thiocyanate reagent) is the standard presumptive color test for cocaine. The two- or three-step procedure produces a blue precipitate that becomes pink in HCl and returns to blue upon addition of chloroform, with cocaine partitioning into the organic layer.

7A white powder produces a deep purple-to-violet color with Marquis reagent. Which class of compounds is most consistent with this result?

A.Cocaine and local anesthetics

B.Opiates (morphine, heroin, codeine)

C.Barbiturates

D.Cannabinoids

Explanation: Marquis reagent (formaldehyde in concentrated sulfuric acid) produces a characteristic deep purple-to-violet color with opiates (morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone). Amphetamines and MDMA produce orange-brown to purple-black; mescaline gives orange. Cocaine is Marquis-negative.

8An unknown powder gives an orange-brown to purple-black color with Marquis reagent. Which class of compounds is most consistent with this result?

A.Opiates

B.Amphetamines and MDMA

C.Cocaine

D.LSD

Explanation: Amphetamine and methamphetamine produce orange-brown colors with Marquis reagent, while MDMA and MDA give a darker purple-to-black response due to the methylenedioxy ring. This color is presumptive only — confirmation requires Category A techniques such as GC-MS or FTIR.

9What is the active reagent system in the Duquenois-Levine cannabis presumptive test?

A.Cobalt thiocyanate in water with HCl and chloroform

B.Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in ethanol with concentrated HCl, followed by chloroform extraction

C.Sodium nitroprusside with sodium hydroxide and acetaldehyde

D.Cobalt acetate and isopropylamine in methanol

Explanation: The Duquenois-Levine test uses a vanillin/acetaldehyde mixture in ethanol followed by concentrated HCl, producing a purple color that partitions into chloroform when cannabinoids (particularly THC and CBN) are present. The chloroform partition step ('Levine modification') distinguishes cannabinoids from interfering substances like coffee, mace, or oregano.

10A white powder gives a violet color when tested with Dille-Koppanyi reagent. Which compound class is most likely present?

A.Barbiturates

B.Opiates

C.Amphetamines

D.Cocaine

Explanation: The Dille-Koppanyi reagent (cobalt(II) acetate in methanol with isopropylamine) produces a violet to red-violet color in the presence of barbiturates such as phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and secobarbital. The reaction relies on the imide-N-H of the barbiturate ring chelating cobalt.

About the ABC Drug Analysis Exam

The ABC Drug Analysis Specialty Exam is a 200-question (plus 20 pilot items) certification exam administered by the American Board of Criminalistics for forensic analysts with at least 2 years of seized-drug casework experience and a passing General Knowledge Examination (GKE) score. Passing the exam awards Diplomate (D-ABC) or Fellow (F-ABC) status. Note: ABC no longer accepts new Drug Analysis applications; new applicants must apply for the Seized Drug Analysis exam.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

Up to 3 hours

Passing Score

Confidential (set during pilot testing)

Exam Fee

$250 sitting fee plus $75 application (American Board of Criminalistics (criminalistics.com))

ABC Drug Analysis Exam Content Outline

~10%

Controlled Substances Act & Scheduling

DEA Schedules I-V, analog provisions, and current scheduling actions for fentanyl analogs and synthetic cannabinoids.

~20%

Drug Classes & Pharmacology

Cocaine HCl vs base/crack, heroin, fentanyl analogs (carfentanil, U-47700, isotonitazenes), methamphetamine stereochemistry, MDMA, cathinones, THC isomers.

~15%

Presumptive Color & Microcrystalline Tests

Marquis (purple opiates, orange-brown amphetamines), Mecke, Mandelin, Scott cobalt thiocyanate, Duquenois-Levine cannabis test, Dille-Koppanyi for barbiturates.

~25%

Chromatography & Spectroscopy

TLC mobile phases and Rf values, GC-MS ion fragmentation patterns, FTIR identification of fentanyl analogs, HPLC-PDA, LC-MS/MS, derivatization for chiral analysis.

~15%

QA/QC & SWGDRUG Standards

SWGDRUG Category A/B/C identification rules, ISO 17025 / ANAB accreditation, blanks, positive controls, reference standards, OSAC subcommittee guidance.

~10%

Sampling, Quantitation, & Reporting

Hypergeometric sampling plans, internal-standard calibration, LOD/LOQ, salt vs base reporting, net vs gross weight, and measurement uncertainty.

~5%

Legal & Ethics

Daubert standard for expert testimony, chain of custody, evidence handling, scope of expert opinion.

How to Pass the ABC Drug Analysis Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Confidential (set during pilot testing)
Exam length: 200 questions
Time limit: Up to 3 hours
Exam fee: $250 sitting fee plus $75 application

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ABC Drug Analysis Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the SWGDRUG Category A/B/C decision tree until you can recite the minimum combination rules without looking.

2Drill color test reactions in flashcard form: Marquis (purple for opiates, orange-brown for amphetamines), Scott cobalt thiocyanate for cocaine, Duquenois-Levine for cannabis.

3Know the diagnostic GC-MS ions: m/z 82 and 182 for cocaine, m/z 369 for heroin, m/z 245 for fentanyl, m/z 58 for methamphetamine.

4Be fluent in DEA schedules: heroin/LSD/psilocybin are Schedule I; cocaine and methamphetamine are Schedule II; ketamine is Schedule III; tramadol and benzodiazepines are Schedule IV; pregabalin is Schedule V.

5Practice hypergeometric sampling calculations for multi-unit cases and know when minimum-sample plans (e.g., square root + 1, hypergeometric 95% confidence) apply.

6Read the latest SWGDRUG Recommendations (current version), the OSAC Seized Drugs subcommittee documents, and ISO/IEC 17025 quality requirements.

7Build a side-by-side cheat sheet of cocaine HCl vs cocaine base/crack (melting point, solubility, smoking vs IV use) and d- vs l-methamphetamine (Vicks inhaler stereochemistry).

8Memorize fentanyl-analog FTIR fingerprints and the structural difference between fentanyl, carfentanil, U-47700, MT-45, and isotonitazene.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ABC Drug Analysis Specialty Exam?

It is the specialty certification examination from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) for forensic analysts working in seized-drug analysis. Passing it, after first passing the ABC General Knowledge Examination (GKE), qualifies the analyst as a Diplomate (D-ABC) or Fellow (F-ABC).

How many questions are on the ABC Drug Analysis exam and how long is it?

The exam has 200 scored questions plus 20 pilot questions and lasts up to 3 hours. Questions are split between general criminalistics knowledge and seized-drug specialty content.

What is the passing score?

ABC keeps the passing score confidential. Cut scores are established during the development and pilot testing of each examination and are not disclosed to candidates.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Candidates must have at least 2 years of authorized casework in forensic seized-drug analysis and must hold a passing ABC General Knowledge Examination (GKE) result before sitting for the Drug Analysis specialty exam.

How much does the exam cost?

Candidates pay a $75 application fee at least 90 days before the requested sitting and a $250 examination sitting fee at least 60 days before sitting. Once certified, an annual $100 maintenance fee applies.

How long is the certification valid?

ABC certifications expire on the 5th anniversary of certification. Recertification requires accumulating professional development points and paying maintenance fees on schedule.

Is the ABC Drug Analysis exam still open to new applicants?

No. ABC has stated that it is no longer taking applications for the Drug Analysis examination. Only candidates with an existing application may request a seat; new applicants must apply for the Seized Drug Analysis examination.

What identification criteria does the exam emphasize?

Candidates must know SWGDRUG identification criteria: at least one Category A technique (IR, MS, NMR, Raman) plus another A/B/C technique, or, if no Category A technique is used, at least three validated techniques with at least 2 from Category B.

What instrumental techniques are most heavily tested?

GC-MS is the most common confirmatory technique for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and many fentanyl analogs. FTIR is essential for distinguishing fentanyl analogs and salt forms, and LC-MS/MS is used for ultra-trace fentanyl analog identification.