100+ Free AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Practice Questions
Pass your AOBNP Neurology and Psychiatry Primary Certifying Examination exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Which is the most appropriate treatment for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer disease?
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Key Facts: AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Exam
$1,650
Application + Exam Fee
AOBNP 2026
$1,200
Reexamination Fee
AOBNP 2026
$175/yr
Longitudinal Assessment Fee
AOBNP 2026
30 MCQs
Annual Longitudinal Questions
AOA Learning Portal
Remote
Online Remote-Proctored Delivery
AOBNP
300-500 hrs
Typical Study Time
Residency graduates
AOBNP is the AOA pathway for DO board certification in Neurology and Psychiatry, with combined-track eligibility for physicians completing both residencies. The 2026 application+exam fee is $1,650 (with a $1,200 retake fee) and the longitudinal assessment runs through the AOA Learning Portal at $175/yr starting January 2026. The Written Exam is single-best-answer MCQ delivered annually via remote proctored testing, with pass rates historically ~75-90% across tracks.
Sample AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 28-year-old woman presents with 3 weeks of depressed mood, anhedonia, decreased sleep, low energy, poor concentration, weight loss, and passive suicidal ideation without plan. She has no manic history. Which is the most appropriate first-line pharmacologic treatment?
2A 32-year-old man has a 1-week episode of decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activity, grandiosity, and impulsive spending. He was admitted for safety. Which is the most appropriate maintenance therapy?
3Which laboratory test is most important to obtain before starting lithium therapy?
4A 22-year-old college student presents with 9 months of social withdrawal, auditory hallucinations of derogatory voices, persecutory delusions, and disorganized speech. No substance use. What is the most likely diagnosis?
5A patient on haloperidol develops high fever 40 C, severe muscle rigidity, altered mental status, autonomic instability, and elevated CK 12,000. What is the most likely diagnosis and treatment?
6Which laboratory monitoring is required for clozapine therapy?
7A 35-year-old presents with sudden onset of intense fear, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom lasting 15 minutes. Episodes have recurred over 3 months and he avoids public places. What is the most likely diagnosis?
8A 40-year-old veteran reports recurrent intrusive memories of combat, nightmares, hypervigilance, irritability, and avoidance of crowded places for the past 8 months. Which evidence-based therapy is first-line?
9Which antidepressant is most likely to cause sexual dysfunction?
10A patient with chronic alcohol use is brought in 8 hours after his last drink. He has tremor, diaphoresis, tachycardia 110, BP 160/95, and is anxious. CIWA-Ar score is 18. What is the most appropriate management?
About the AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Exam
The AOBNP administers AOA board certification in Neurology and in Psychiatry (with combined-track eligibility for candidates completing dual training). The Written Exam is delivered annually via remote proctored testing and covers core neurology and psychiatry content as well as osteopathic principles. After passing the Written, candidates complete an Oral/Clinical Exam component. Continuous certification from January 2026 is administered through the AOA Learning Portal with 30 untimed MCQs per calendar year ($175 annual fee).
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Remote-proctored Written Exam (multi-section, single day per AOBNP schedule)
Passing Score
Criterion-referenced scaled standard set by AOBNP (typical AOA scale ~500/800)
Exam Fee
$1,650 (application $350 + exam $1,300); retake $1,200 (American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBNP))
AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Exam Content Outline
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
DSM-5-TR MDD criteria (>=5 SIGECAPS over 2 weeks), bipolar I (>=1 manic) vs bipolar II (>=1 hypomanic + MDE), antidepressant first-line (SSRIs sertraline/escitalopram), bipolar maintenance (lithium - therapeutic 0.6-1.2 mEq/L, lamotrigine for depression, valproate, atypicals), ECT for refractory or catatonic depression, suicide risk stratification.
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia criteria (positive: hallucinations/delusions; negative: avolition/alogia; cognitive symptoms; >=6 months duration with >=1 month active phase), schizoaffective, delusional disorder, atypical antipsychotic monitoring (metabolic syndrome, QTc), clozapine indications (treatment-resistant, suicide risk) with ANC monitoring weekly, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (dantrolene, bromocriptine).
Substance Use Disorders
Alcohol use disorder severity, withdrawal CIWA-Ar (benzodiazepines, thiamine before glucose), MAT for AUD (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram), opioid use disorder (buprenorphine - start when COWS >=12, methadone, naltrexone), stimulant/cocaine (no FDA-approved MAT), benzo withdrawal (long-acting taper), nicotine (varenicline, bupropion, NRT).
Child/Adolescent and Geriatric Psychiatry
ADHD (DSM-5-TR <=12 yo onset for symptoms, stimulants methylphenidate/amphetamine first-line, atomoxetine/guanfacine alternatives), autism (early intervention, ABA), eating disorders (anorexia BMI <17.5, bulimia compensatory behaviors, refeeding syndrome with low phos/Mg/K), geriatric depression (low-dose sertraline, avoid TCA/anticholinergic), dementia BPSD (non-pharm first, atypicals with black-box warning).
Cerebrovascular Disease
Acute ischemic stroke (NIHSS, IV alteplase within 4.5 h, BP <185/110; thrombectomy 0-24 h for large vessel occlusion with imaging mismatch), ICH (BP control SBP ~140, reverse anticoagulation, neurosurg consult), SAH (CT then LP if early CT negative; nimodipine, aneurysm coiling/clipping), secondary prevention (antiplatelet, statin, BP control, AF anticoagulation CHA2DS2-VASc).
Seizures and Epilepsy
Generalized vs focal classification, status epilepticus (lorazepam 4 mg IV x 2, then levetiracetam 60 mg/kg or fosphenytoin 20 mg PE/kg or valproate 40 mg/kg), absence (ethosuximide first-line), JME (valproate, lamotrigine), focal (levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine), pregnancy (avoid valproate - neural tube defects, lamotrigine safer), SUDEP risk.
Headache and Pain Disorders
Migraine acute (triptans, NSAIDs, gepants - ubrogepant/rimegepant), preventive (propranolol, topiramate, amitriptyline, CGRP mAbs - erenumab/galcanezumab/fremanezumab/eptinezumab), tension-type (NSAIDs, OMT), cluster (high-flow O2, sumatriptan SC, verapamil prevention), red flags (SAH thunderclap, GCA, IIH papilledema, trigeminal neuralgia carbamazepine).
Neuromuscular and Movement Disorders
Parkinson disease (levodopa-carbidopa, DA agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, DBS for advanced), essential tremor (propranolol, primidone), myasthenia gravis (pyridostigmine, immunosuppressants, IVIG/plasmapheresis for crisis, thymectomy), GBS (IVIG or plasmapheresis, watch for autonomic instability), ALS (riluzole, edaravone), MS (DMTs - ocrelizumab, natalizumab, fingolimod).
Dementia and Cognitive Disorders
Alzheimer disease (cholinesterase inhibitors - donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine; memantine moderate-severe; anti-amyloid mAbs - lecanemab/donanemab with MRI monitoring for ARIA), vascular dementia (BP/lipid/glucose control), Lewy body dementia (sensitive to antipsychotics, REM behavior disorder), FTD (behavioral variant, primary progressive aphasia), NPH (wet/wacky/wobbly, shunting).
OMM and Cross-Cutting (Ethics, Capacity, Civil Commitment)
Suboccipital release for tension headache, cervical muscle energy for cervicogenic headache, lumbar OMT for low back pain in depression/anxiety somatization, decision-making capacity (understanding, appreciation, reasoning, communication), informed consent, civil commitment criteria (danger to self/others/grave disability), confidentiality and HIPAA exceptions, Tarasoff duty to warn.
How to Pass the AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Criterion-referenced scaled standard set by AOBNP (typical AOA scale ~500/800)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Remote-proctored Written Exam (multi-section, single day per AOBNP schedule)
- Exam fee: $1,650 (application $350 + exam $1,300); retake $1,200
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
AOBNP Neurology & Psychiatry Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AOBNP Primary Certifying Examination?
Candidates must be DO graduates (or MDs with approved equivalency) who have completed an ACGME-accredited Neurology or Psychiatry residency (formerly AOA-approved). For combined-track eligibility, candidates must complete both training programs and meet AOBNP's combined case and training requirements. Unrestricted US medical license and program director attestation of clinical competence are required.
How is the AOBNP Written Exam structured?
Both the Neurology and Psychiatry Written Exams are offered annually via a remote proctored online platform. The exams use single-best-answer multiple-choice questions and are administered as a multi-section assessment per AOBNP's schedule. After passing the Written, candidates complete an Oral/Clinical component for full certification.
What does the AOBNP exam cost?
The 2026 application fee is $350 and the initial examination fee is $1,300, totaling $1,650 due with the completed application. Re-examination is $1,200. For continuous certification beginning in 2026, the longitudinal assessment annual fee is $175 (with a $50 late fee after October 16); registration opens August 1 and closes November 30.
How does the AOA Learning Portal longitudinal assessment work?
Starting January 2026, the Neurology and Psychiatry longitudinal assessment runs through the AOA Learning Portal LMS. Diplomates answer 30 untimed multiple-choice questions per calendar year for ongoing certification. The assessment replaces the traditional 10-year recertification exam for participating diplomates and is one component of the broader OCC framework.
What topics are tested on the AOBNP Written Exam?
Psychiatry content includes mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use, child/adolescent and geriatric psychiatry, personality disorders, and consultation-liaison topics. Neurology content includes cerebrovascular disease, seizures, headache, dementia, movement and neuromuscular disorders, demyelinating disease, neuro-oncology, and neuro-ophthalmology. Cross-cutting topics include osteopathic principles, ethics, capacity/civil commitment, and OMM application to neuro-psychiatric conditions.
How long should I study for the AOBNP Written Exam?
Most residency graduates report 300-500 hours of dedicated study over 4-8 months. A typical plan allocates ~30% to mood/anxiety and psychotic disorders (psychiatry track) or stroke and seizures (neurology track), with proportional time on substance use, child/geriatric, dementia, movement disorders, neuromuscular, headache, and cross-cutting OMM/ethics topics.
What is the pass rate for the AOBNP exam?
AOBNP publishes annual pass-rate statistics on its certification site. First-attempt pass rates for US-trained residency graduates have historically ranged about 75-90% across the Neurology and Psychiatry tracks, with retakers performing lower. Completing a structured board review, drilling DSM-5-TR criteria and AAN/APA guidelines, and timed mixed-content question sets correlate with success.
Does the AOBNP exam test osteopathic content?
Yes. AOBNP examinations include osteopathic principles and OMM application as part of the cross-cutting content. Expect questions on suboccipital release for tension headache, cervical muscle energy for cervicogenic headache, lumbar OMT for low back pain (often comorbid with depression/anxiety), and integration of osteopathic principles into the holistic care of neurologic and psychiatric patients.