100+ Free AOBA Anesthesiology Practice Questions
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Which induction agent is most likely to suppress adrenocortical function via 11-beta-hydroxylase inhibition?
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Key Facts: AOBA Anesthesiology Exam
320
MCQs on Written Exam
AOBA Written Exam blueprint
500/800
Scaled Passing Score
AOBA scoring policy
$3,500
Total Exam Fees (W+O+C)
AOBA 2026 fee schedule
~91.3%
5-Yr Aggregate Pass Rate (Written)
AOBA published rate
42%
Physiologic Sciences (Largest Block)
AOBA Table of Specifications
300-500 hrs
Average Study Time
Anesthesia residents
AOBA's Primary Written Exam is one of three components (Written, Oral, Clinical) required for AOA board certification in anesthesiology. Of the ~320 MCQs, physiology and pharmacology dominate at 42% combined; clinical disease states and procedures at 33%; physics, anatomy, biochem, and math at 24%; and a small (1%) OPP component. AOBA's 5-year aggregate pass rate on the written exam is ~91.3%. Fees total ~$3,500 ($500 W + $1,000 O + $2,000 C). Continuous certification is via annual Longitudinal Assessment ($210/yr) on a 10-year cycle.
Sample AOBA Anesthesiology Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your AOBA Anesthesiology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A healthy 35-year-old undergoes elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia with sevoflurane. What is the approximate MAC value for sevoflurane in a healthy adult?
2Which of the following factors INCREASES MAC?
3A 60-year-old man develops bradycardia and hypotension after rocuronium reversal. The intensivist gave neostigmine without glycopyrrolate. What is the primary mechanism of this adverse response?
4What is the recommended sugammadex dose for reversal of profound rocuronium block (no train-of-four twitches, post-tetanic count 1-2)?
5A patient develops seizures and ventricular arrhythmias after a femoral nerve block with bupivacaine. What is the FIRST-line definitive treatment?
6Which volatile anesthetic has the LOWEST blood-gas partition coefficient and therefore the fastest onset/offset?
7A 28-year-old develops masseter rigidity and rapidly rising end-tidal CO2 after succinylcholine + sevoflurane induction. Temperature is 39.5C. What is the appropriate dose of dantrolene?
8Which induction agent is most likely to suppress adrenocortical function via 11-beta-hydroxylase inhibition?
9What is the most common cardiovascular effect of propofol induction in a hemodynamically stable adult?
10A 24-year-old G1P0 at 37 weeks presents for cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Which dermatome level is the MINIMUM acceptable block height to ensure adequate surgical anesthesia?
About the AOBA Anesthesiology Exam
The AOBA Anesthesiology Certifying Examination is the primary written component of AOA osteopathic board certification in anesthesiology. The written exam consists of 320 multiple-choice questions over four 90-minute sections, covering Physiologic Sciences (42%), Physical Sciences (24%), Clinical Sciences (33%), and Osteopathic Principles & Practice (1%). Passing the Written, Oral, and Clinical exams is required for primary certification. Candidates must complete the Clinical Base Year and CA-1 of an accredited anesthesiology residency before sitting for the written exam.
Questions
320 scored questions
Time Limit
6 hours testing (four 90-minute sections) plus ~30 minutes of breaks
Passing Score
Scaled score 500/800 on each component (Written, Oral, Clinical)
Exam Fee
$500 Written + $1,000 Oral + $2,000 Clinical (AOBA 2026) (American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA))
AOBA Anesthesiology Exam Content Outline
Pharmacology
IV induction (propofol, etomidate, ketamine), volatile MAC values, NMBA pharmacology and sugammadex (16 mg/kg deep block, 4 mg/kg moderate, 2 mg/kg reappearance T2), opioid PK, local anesthetic toxicity (LAST: 20% Intralipid 1.5 mL/kg bolus + 0.25 mL/kg/min), MH and dantrolene 2.5 mg/kg, anticoagulants for neuraxial (ASRA guidelines).
Physiology
Cardiac output determinants, oxyhemoglobin curve shifts (Bohr), V/Q mismatch and shunt physiology, CPP = MAP - ICP, autoregulation, autonomic reflexes (Bainbridge, oculocardiac), neuromuscular junction, fluid compartments, acid-base (Henderson-Hasselbalch, anion gap), renal handling of K+/Mg2+/Ca2+.
Disease States
CAD/valves (severe AS Vmax >=4, HCM, MR), reactive airways and OSA (STOP-BANG), diabetes (DKA, perioperative GLP-1), pregnancy physiology + preeclampsia, end-stage renal/hepatic, obesity ramped position, trauma (massive transfusion 1:1:1), sepsis (vasopressor choice), MG/MD/myotonia, peds syndromes (Down, T21), and increased ICP.
Physics & Equipment
Anesthesia machine checkout, variable-bypass vaporizers (desflurane heated), Mapleson circuit efficiencies (D for controlled, A for spontaneous), CO2 absorber chemistry (compound A, carbon monoxide), scavenging, electrosurgery and pacemaker interference, ultrasound physics for blocks/lines, MAC and partition coefficients.
Procedures & Regional Techniques
ASA difficult airway algorithm, awake fiberoptic, video laryngoscopy, neuraxial dermatomes (T4 for C-section, T10 for vaginal delivery), brachial plexus blocks (interscalene -> shoulder/sparing ulnar; supraclavicular -> arm; infraclavicular; axillary), TAP/QL/ESP, ankle block branches, OB epidural (test dose 3 mL 1.5% lido + epi).
Subspecialty (OB, Peds, Cardiac, Neuro)
Maternal physiologic changes (CO +50%, MAC -30%, FRC -20%), preeclampsia mag sulfate (1-2 g/hr), peds airway (cuffed ETT formula (age/4)+3.5), MH triggers in peds, cardiac (CPB, protamine reaction), one-lung ventilation, neuro (volatile cap at 1 MAC, mannitol 0.25-1 g/kg).
ICU, Pain & OMM
ARDS lung-protective (Vt 4-8 mL/kg PBW, plateau <30, PEEP), sepsis 1-hour bundle, vasopressor selection, chronic pain (multimodal, ketamine/dexmedetomidine, neuropathic pain pharmacology), interventional pain basics, and OPP/OMM in PACU (rib raising for atelectasis, sub-occipital release for PDPH).
How to Pass the AOBA Anesthesiology Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled score 500/800 on each component (Written, Oral, Clinical)
- Exam length: 320 questions
- Time limit: 6 hours testing (four 90-minute sections) plus ~30 minutes of breaks
- Exam fee: $500 Written + $1,000 Oral + $2,000 Clinical (AOBA 2026)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
AOBA Anesthesiology Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AOBA Anesthesiology certifying examination?
Candidates must be DO or MD graduates of an accredited medical school, hold an unrestricted state medical license, and have completed (or be in the final year of) an accredited anesthesiology residency. The written exam can be taken after completing the Clinical Base Year and the CA-1 year. Program directors must attest to satisfactory clinical competence. Passing all three components (Written, Oral, Clinical) is required for primary certification.
How is the AOBA Anesthesiology Written Exam structured?
The written exam consists of 320 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions delivered in four ~80-question sections of 90 minutes each (6 hours of testing, ~30 minutes of breaks). It is offered annually (typically August) via remote proctoring. The blueprint allocates 42% to Physiologic Sciences (physiology 20%, pharmacology 22%), 24% to Physical Sciences (anatomy 8%, biochemistry 1%, physics 13%, math 2%), 33% to Clinical Sciences (procedures/techniques 11%, disease states 22%), and 1% to Osteopathic Principles & Practice.
What is the fee for the AOBA Anesthesiology exam?
The AOBA Primary Written Exam fee is $500. The Oral Exam is $1,000, and the Clinical Exam is $2,000 - totaling approximately $3,500 in AOBA fees for primary certification (2026 rates; confirm current fees with AOBA). A 30% late surcharge applies to applications received after the first deadline. Continuous certification via Longitudinal Assessment is $210 per year.
What is the passing score on the AOBA Written Exam?
AOBA uses a 200-800 scaled score system. A scaled score of 500 or higher is required to pass the written exam, and the same threshold applies to the Oral and Clinical components. The standard is criterion-referenced (Angoff-based), so the passing scaled score corresponds to a fixed level of competency rather than a fixed percentile.
What is the pass rate on the AOBA Written Exam?
AOBA publishes a five-year aggregate first-attempt pass rate of approximately 91.3% on the Primary Written Exam. Rates for the Oral and Clinical components vary; the Oral exam in particular has historically had a lower first-attempt rate. Repeat candidates have markedly lower rates, so robust first-attempt prep is strongly encouraged.
How long should I study for the AOBA Anesthesiology Written Exam?
Most candidates report 300-500 hours of dedicated prep across the CA-1 and CA-2 years. A typical plan allocates ~40% to physiology/pharmacology, ~25% to physics/equipment/anatomy, ~25% to disease states and procedures (regional, OB, peds, cardiac, ICU), and ~10% to mixed timed practice. Daily question-bank practice (50-100/day in the final 8 weeks) correlates strongly with passing.
How is continuous certification maintained after passing AOBA boards?
AOBA replaced the traditional 10-year recertification exam with the Longitudinal Assessment (LA) - an annual untimed online question set delivered each year of a 10-year cycle. The LA fee is $210 per year. Diplomates also complete the four-component Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) program (licensure, lifelong learning/CME, cognitive assessment, performance in practice).
How much does the AOBA exam emphasize Osteopathic Principles & Practice (OPP/OMM)?
Only ~1% of the AOBA Written Exam is dedicated explicitly to Osteopathic Principles & Practice. High-yield OMM topics relevant to anesthesia include rib-raising for postoperative atelectasis, suboccipital decompression and venous sinus techniques for post-dural-puncture headache, lymphatic pump for ileus, and somatic dysfunction recognition in chronic pain patients. Don't ignore it - it's only a few questions but they are easy points.