100+ Free ABPP Clinical Psychology Practice Questions
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Key Facts: ABPP Clinical Psychology Exam
100
FREE Practice MCQs
Knowledge prep for ABPP Clinical Psychology oral exam content
3-Component
Certification Process
Credentials + practice samples + oral examination
2017
APA Ethics Code (Current)
American Psychological Association Ethical Principles
2017
Multicultural Guidelines (Current)
APA Multicultural Guidelines
2022
DSM-5-TR (Current)
American Psychiatric Association — Prolonged Grief Disorder added
EBPP
APA 2006 Framework
Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology (research + expertise + patient factors)
ABPP Clinical Psychology certification evaluates competence through credentials review, written practice samples, and an oral examination — not a single MCQ written exam. Knowledge content assessed during the oral examination includes evidence-based assessment (~25%), evidence-based interventions (~30%), professional issues (~15%), ethics (~15%), multicultural competence (~10%), and research methods (~5%). Prerequisites include a doctoral degree in psychology, state licensure, and clinical psychology practice experience. These 100 practice MCQs help candidates prepare the knowledge base assessed during the oral exam.
Sample ABPP Clinical Psychology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ABPP Clinical Psychology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1DSM-5-TR (2022) added which diagnosis as a formal disorder in the trauma- and stressor-related disorders chapter?
2Which intervention is the most evidence-based first-line treatment for borderline personality disorder?
3Per APA Ethics Code (2017), which standard most directly addresses informed consent?
4Which therapy is the most evidence-based first-line psychological treatment for PTSD?
5Which APA document published in 2017 provides foundational guidance on culturally responsive practice?
6Which is the most appropriate first step when receiving a subpoena for client records?
7Which is the most evidence-based first-line psychological treatment for OCD?
8Per Tarasoff v. Regents (1976), when a patient communicates a serious threat of violence to an identifiable victim, the therapist has a duty to:
9Which is the most appropriate use of the MMPI-3?
10Which is the most appropriate framework for evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP)?
About the ABPP Clinical Psychology Exam
The ABPP Clinical Psychology Specialty Examination evaluates competence through three principal components: credentials review, practice samples (written case summaries demonstrating evidence-based assessment, intervention, ethics, and diversity competence), and an oral examination structured around practice samples and applied clinical content. Unlike some ABPP specialties, the Clinical Psychology process does not include a single multiple-choice written exam; competence is evaluated through credentials, written practice samples, and oral examination. These 100 practice questions help candidates prepare the knowledge base assessed during the oral examination, covering DSM-5-TR diagnosis, evidence-based assessment and intervention, APA Ethics Code (2017), multicultural and diversity competence, supervision and consultation, and professional issues including telepsychology, jurisdictional licensure (PSYPACT), and research methods.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Oral examination ~3 hours; practice samples submitted separately
Passing Score
Pass/fail by ABPP examiners on credentials review, practice samples, and oral examination
Exam Fee
ABPP application + practice samples + oral exam fees (verify current pricing) (American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) — Clinical Psychology Specialty Board)
ABPP Clinical Psychology Exam Content Outline
Evidence-Based Assessment
DSM-5-TR (2022) including Prolonged Grief Disorder addition. Comprehensive clinical interview (HPI, psychiatric/medical/family/social/developmental history, MSE, safety). Structured/semi-structured interviews — SCID-5, MINI, ADIS-5. Personality assessment — MMPI-3 (2020) with F-r, Fp-r, FBS-r, RBS, L-r, K-r validity scales; PAI with ICN/INF/NIM/PIM. Brief outcome measures for measurement-based care — PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), PCL-5 (PTSD), OQ-45, Outcome Rating Scale/Session Rating Scale (feedback-informed treatment). WHODAS 2.0 functional impairment (replacing retired GAF). Suicide risk — C-SSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale), Columbia Protocol. CAPS-5 gold-standard PTSD interview. Case formulation (4Ps — predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, protective + presenting). DSM-5-TR Cultural Formulation Interview. Psychometrics — reliability (test-retest, internal consistency, inter-rater), validity (construct, criterion, content), base rates.
Evidence-Based Interventions
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Beck cognitive distortions, behavioral activation, exposure). Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linehan) — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness; first-line for BPD. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Hayes, Strosahl, Wilson) — psychological flexibility through 6 core processes. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (Klerman, Weissman) — grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes, interpersonal deficits. Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD. Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR for PTSD (APA/VA-DoD first-line). CBT-I first-line for chronic insomnia (AASM, APA). CBT-Enhanced (Fairburn) for bulimia/binge-eating; Maudsley Family-Based Treatment for adolescent anorexia. Coordinated Specialty Care for first-episode psychosis (NIMH RAISE). Motivational Interviewing (Miller & Rollnick — OARS, change talk). Emotionally Focused Therapy/Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy/Gottman Method for couples. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for early childhood disruptive behaviors. Psychodynamic short-term and long-term. EBPP framework integrating research, clinical expertise, and patient characteristics/culture/preferences (APA 2006).
Professional Issues
Clinical supervision per APA Guidelines for Clinical Supervision in Health Service Psychology (2014); Standard 7.06 (Assessing Student Performance); competency-based supervision; remediation with due process. Consultation per Standard 4.06. Interprofessional collaborative practice (IPEC competencies — values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, communication, teamwork). Integrated primary care (collaborative care, primary care behavioral health). Telepsychology — APA Telepsychology Guidelines (2013); PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact) for cross-state telepsychology and temporary in-person practice. Insurance documentation accuracy (Standard 6.06 — Accuracy in Reports to Payors; False Claims Act). Self-care, burnout, impaired colleagues (Standard 2.06 — Personal Problems and Conflicts; 1.04 Informal Resolution; 1.05 Reporting Ethical Violations). Therapeutic vs forensic roles (avoid dual roles).
Ethics & APA Ethics Code
APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2017) — Standard 2.01 (Boundaries of Competence), 2.06 (Personal Problems and Conflicts), 3.05 (Multiple Relationships), 3.06 (Conflict of Interest), 3.10 (Informed Consent), 4.05 (Disclosures), 4.06 (Consultations), 6.04-6.07 (Fees and Financial Arrangements), 9.01 (Bases for Assessments), 9.03 (Informed Consent in Assessments), 9.04 (Release of Test Data), 9.10 (Explaining Assessment Results), 9.11 (Maintaining Test Security), 10.01 (Informed Consent to Therapy), 10.05-10.07 (Sexual Boundaries — current and former clients), 10.10 (Terminating Therapy). Landmark cases — Tarasoff (1976) duty to protect; Jaffee v. Redmond (1996) federal psychotherapist-patient privilege. HIPAA Privacy/Security Rules; mandated reporting; psychotherapy notes vs designated record set; subpoena vs court order; decisional capacity (Appelbaum & Grisso); ethical decision-making frameworks.
Multicultural & Diversity Competence
APA Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, and Intersectionality (2017) — ecological framework, intersectionality (Crenshaw 1989), cultural humility. APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons (2021 revision) and Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (2015) — affirming practice, minority stress (Meyer), opposition to conversion/reparative therapy. APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults (2014). DSM-5-TR Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI). Stigma (public, self, institutional). Social determinants of mental health. Trauma-informed care (SAMHSA 6 principles — safety, trustworthiness/transparency, peer support, collaboration/mutuality, empowerment, cultural/historical/gender). Veteran-focused practice (deployment, MST, moral injury, VA/DoD CPGs). Spirituality and religion in care.
Research Methods & Program Evaluation
Statistical hypothesis testing with effect sizes (Cohen's d, r), confidence intervals, clinical significance, minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Replicability crisis (Open Science Collaboration 2015) and pre-registration. Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) and NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) frameworks. Outcomes research — Lambert's common factors and dose-response, Bordin's tripartite alliance, sudden gains, deterioration rates. Research-to-practice translation and implementation science. IRB approval, informed consent for research (Standards 8.01-8.07), Common Rule (45 CFR 46), protection of vulnerable populations.
How to Pass the ABPP Clinical Psychology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Pass/fail by ABPP examiners on credentials review, practice samples, and oral examination
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Oral examination ~3 hours; practice samples submitted separately
- Exam fee: ABPP application + practice samples + oral exam fees (verify current pricing)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ABPP Clinical Psychology Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the ABPP Clinical Psychology examination structured?
Unlike some ABPP specialties (e.g., Clinical Neuropsychology) that include a 125-item written exam, the ABPP Clinical Psychology Specialty Board evaluates competence primarily through three components: (1) credentials review, (2) practice samples (written case summaries demonstrating evidence-based assessment and intervention competence, ethics, and diversity), and (3) an oral examination (~3 hours) structured around practice samples and applied clinical content. These 100 practice questions help candidates prepare the knowledge base assessed during the oral examination.
Who is eligible to apply for ABPP Clinical Psychology certification?
Candidates must hold a doctoral degree (PhD/PsyD/EdD) in psychology from an APA/CPA-accredited program (or equivalent), be licensed as a psychologist in a U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction, and have clinical psychology practice experience consistent with ABPP requirements. Specific eligibility criteria are published on the ABPP Clinical Psychology Specialty Board webpage.
What are practice samples and what should they include?
Practice samples are typically written case summaries (formatting and number per current ABPP Clinical Psychology requirements) that demonstrate evidence-based clinical reasoning. They should reflect comprehensive assessment (including DSM-5-TR diagnosis and case formulation), evidence-based intervention selection and implementation, ethical decision-making, multicultural and diversity considerations, and outcome monitoring. Practice samples are submitted in advance and form the basis of much of the oral examination discussion.
How can MCQ practice help if there is no single written exam?
ABPP Clinical Psychology oral examiners discuss diagnostic reasoning, evidence-based intervention selection, ethics and diversity considerations, and applied clinical content. MCQ practice questions reinforce the knowledge base assessed during these discussions — DSM-5-TR criteria, evidence-based interventions (CBT, DBT, ACT, IPT, ERP, PE, CPT, EMDR, CBT-I, CBT-E, FBT, CSC, MI), APA Ethics Code (2017) standards, APA Multicultural Guidelines (2017), supervision and consultation, telepsychology and PSYPACT, and research methods.
How much does the ABPP Clinical Psychology process cost?
Fees vary by stage (application, credentials review, practice samples submission, oral examination) and may total several hundred to $1,500+ depending on current ABPP pricing. Verify current fees on the ABPP and Clinical Psychology Specialty Board webpages. Retake fees apply if needed.
How should I prepare for the oral examination?
Prepare to discuss practice samples in depth, integrate evidence-based assessment and intervention (DSM-5-TR diagnosis, CBT, DBT, ACT, IPT, ERP, PE/CPT/EMDR, CBT-I, CBT-E, FBT, CSC, MI), address ethics and diversity considerations (APA Ethics Code 2017, Multicultural Guidelines 2017, Sexual Minority Guidelines 2021, Older Adults Guidelines 2014), and articulate clinical reasoning using case formulation (4Ps). Use mock oral exams with ABPP-certified colleagues, structured ABPP review courses, and these MCQ practice questions to reinforce the knowledge base.
What are the highest-yield knowledge areas?
Highest-yield knowledge for the oral exam includes: DSM-5-TR (2022 updates — Prolonged Grief Disorder); evidence-based interventions matched to disorder (DBT first-line for BPD, CBT-I first-line for insomnia, PE/CPT/EMDR first-line for PTSD, ERP first-line for OCD, Maudsley FBT first-line for adolescent anorexia, CSC first-line for first-episode psychosis); EBPP framework (APA 2006 — research + expertise + patient factors); APA Ethics Code key standards (2.01, 3.10, 4.05, 9.01, 9.03, 9.04, 9.11, 10.05-10.07, 10.10); APA Multicultural Guidelines (2017) intersectionality and cultural humility; Tarasoff duty; mandated reporting; HIPAA; supervision (APA 2014 Guidelines); telepsychology and PSYPACT; suicide risk assessment (C-SSRS); MMPI-3 validity scales; outcome monitoring (PHQ-9, GAD-7, OQ-45).
What ongoing requirements follow certification?
ABPP board certification is maintained through Maintenance of Certification (MOC) activities per ABPP/Clinical Psychology Specialty Board policy, including continuing education and periodic attestations. Specific MOC requirements are published on the ABPP website and updated periodically.