140+ Free ABPMR PM&R Practice Questions

The ABPMR Part I Written Examination is the first of two certifying exams administered by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. It is a 1-day computer-based multiple-choice exam taken at Pearson VUE test centers. Part I assesses foundational knowledge across all PM&R content areas including musculoskeletal medicine, spinal cord injury, stroke and neuromuscular rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, electrodiagnostics, amputee rehabilitation, pediatric rehabilitation, pain medicine, prosthetics/orthotics, and cardiopulmonary rehab. After passing Part I, candidates must pass the Part II oral exam to achieve full ABPMR certification.

Candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited PM&R residency program, which is a 4-year postgraduate training: 1 transitional or preliminary year plus 3 years of dedicated PM&R residency. Candidates must hold a valid unrestricted medical license and have program director attestation of satisfactory completion. Application is submitted through the ABPMR website within the designated eligibility window.

Part I is a 1-day computer-based examination administered at Pearson VUE test centers, consisting of 325 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (a subset of which are pretest/unscored) delivered in two 3-hour sections separated by a 60-minute break, for 6 hours of active testing. Questions frequently include clinical vignettes, imaging (MRI, X-ray, ultrasound), EMG/NCS tracings, ECGs, and photographs of physical exam findings, wounds, orthoses, and prostheses. Content is distributed across the official 2024 ABPMR Part I content outline, which has five domains.

The 2026 ABPMR Part I fee is $1,395 on-time (Nov 1, 2025-Jan 31, 2026) or $1,895 late (Feb 1-28, 2026); the fee comprises a $795 exam fee plus a $600 processing fee, plus a $500 late fee in the late window. Cancellation and refund policies follow the ABPMR schedule. Part II oral examination has a separate fee. Continuing Certification uses the ABPMR Longitudinal Assessment for PM&R (LA-PM&R) over 5-year cycles, with annual CC fees. Retakes require full re-registration and fee payment.

The 2026 ABPMR Part I Written Examination is administered on August 4, 2026 as a single-date computer-based test at Pearson Professional Centers. The on-time application window runs November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026, with a late window February 1-28, 2026. After admissibility, candidates register for a Pearson VUE seat. Results are typically released 6-8 weeks after the administration.

ABPMR uses a criterion-referenced scaled scoring system with a passing standard set by subject-matter experts using the modified Angoff method. A candidate's pass/fail result depends on performance relative to the fixed cut-score rather than on other test-takers. Score reports include subdomain performance to guide future study. Results are typically released several weeks after the testing window closes.

Highest-yield topics include: ASIA Impairment Scale and SCI complete vs incomplete syndromes (central cord, anterior cord, Brown-Séquard, cauda equina, conus medullaris), autonomic dysreflexia at T6 or above (HTN/headache/diaphoresis management), NCS and needle EMG pattern recognition (carpal tunnel, ulnar at elbow, radiculopathy, ALS, CIDP, myopathy, myasthenia gravis with decremental RNS), Rancho Los Amigos levels and TBI agitation pharmacology, stroke vascular syndromes (MCA/ACA/PCA), Brunnstrom stages, spasticity management (modified Ashworth, baclofen, botulinum toxin, ITB), pressure injury NPIAP staging, and Medicare K-levels in amputee rehabilitation.

Use a structured 12-18 month plan during PGY-3 and PGY-4. Map to the ABPMR Part I content outline: lead with musculoskeletal medicine, then neurologic rehab (SCI, stroke, TBI), then electrodiagnostics, amputee and pediatric rehab, prosthetics/orthotics, pain medicine, cardiopulmonary, and medical rehab/outcomes. Core resources include Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cuccurullo Board Review, DeLisa's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, O'Young Secrets, AAPM&R Self-Assessment Exam for Residents (SAE-R), and AANEM resources for EMG/NCS. Drill high-volume MCQs with timed sets and complete 2-3 full-length timed mock exams.