100+ Free AOBS Surgery Practice Questions
Pass your AOBS Surgery Certifying Examination (General Surgery) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Which of the following describes appropriate management of a 1.5 cm pheochromocytoma during surgery to prevent hypertensive crisis?
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Key Facts: AOBS Surgery Exam
~200 MCQs
AOBS Written Exam
AOBS 2026
~4h 30m
Written Test Duration
AOBS
Scaled 500
Minimum Passing Score
AOA 200-800 scale
~$1,500
Oral Exam Fee
AOBS 2026
5 years
Residency Required
AOA/ACGME
10 years
Certificate Validity
AOBS OCC
The AOBS Surgery boards are the AOA pathway to general surgery certification for DOs, paralleling the ABS American Board of Surgery process. The written exam contains roughly 200 MCQs delivered via remote proctoring in the spring, scored on the AOA 200-800 scale (passing 500). After passing the written, candidates sit a structured oral exam ($1,500 fee). General surgery board-certified DOs work in academic and community settings with compensation comparable to ABS-certified surgeons.
Sample AOBS Surgery Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your AOBS Surgery exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 58-year-old man presents with right upper quadrant pain, fever, and jaundice after a recent ERCP. Total bilirubin is 6.2 mg/dL with elevated WBC. What is the most appropriate initial management?
2Which of the following is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction in adults in the United States?
3A 32-year-old woman has a 1.2 cm thyroid nodule. FNA shows follicular neoplasm (Bethesda IV). What is the most appropriate next step?
4A trauma patient is hypotensive after a stab wound to the left chest. FAST shows pericardial fluid. What is the most appropriate next step?
5Which artery is most commonly injured in a posterior knee dislocation?
6A 62-year-old man with a 4.5 cm infrarenal AAA reports new severe back pain. He is hemodynamically stable. What is the most appropriate next step?
7A 55-year-old woman has a 2.2 cm invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast with a clinically negative axilla. Which axillary procedure is most appropriate?
8A 70-year-old man has an obstructing sigmoid colon mass with peritonitis. He is taken urgently to the operating room. The most appropriate operation is:
9Which of the following is the strongest indication for splenectomy in a hemodynamically stable adult trauma patient?
10A 4-week-old male infant presents with nonbilious projectile vomiting and a palpable epigastric olive. Lab tests show hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis. The next step in management is:
About the AOBS Surgery Exam
The AOBS Surgery Certifying Examination validates clinical and operative competence in general surgery for osteopathic surgeons. The examination has two parts: a remote-proctored written examination (Part 1) and a structured oral examination (Part 2). Content covers alimentary tract, trauma and critical care, vascular surgery, breast and endocrine surgery, surgical oncology, hernia and soft tissue, pediatric surgery basics, perioperative care, and osteopathic principles in surgery. Candidates must have completed an AOA-approved or ACGME-accredited general surgery residency.
Questions
200 scored questions
Time Limit
~4 hours 30 minutes (written, remote-proctored)
Passing Score
AOA scaled score of 500 (200-800 scale)
Exam Fee
Set annually by AOBS; oral exam fee ~$1,500 (AOBS 2026) (American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS))
AOBS Surgery Exam Content Outline
Alimentary Tract Surgery
GERD/Barrett, achalasia (Heller, POEM), PUD with hemorrhage, gastric and esophageal cancer, bariatric (RYGB, sleeve), small bowel obstruction (adhesions vs hernia), IBD surgery, colorectal cancer with right/sigmoid hemicolectomy, diverticulitis Hinchey staging, anal fissure/abscess/fistula.
Trauma and Critical Care
ATLS primary/secondary survey, FAST in unstable blunt trauma, damage control surgery, lethal triad, Parkland burn formula (4 mL/kg/%TBSA LR), TBI management, pelvic binder + REBOA/angioembolization, compartment syndrome thresholds.
Vascular Surgery
Symptomatic AAA imaging and repair (open vs EVAR), CLTI revascularization, carotid stenosis (asymptomatic >=70% vs symptomatic >=50%), acute mesenteric ischemia, ABI interpretation (PAD <=0.90; noncompressible >1.40).
Breast and Endocrine Surgery
Sentinel node biopsy for cN0 disease, BI-RADS imaging, thyroid nodule Bethesda categories, focused parathyroidectomy with intraoperative PTH, alpha-blockade before pheochromocytoma resection, primary hyperaldosteronism workup (ARR, AVS).
Surgical Oncology
Melanoma margins by Breslow depth (0.5/1/2 cm); SLNB criteria; MSLT-II surveillance approach; GIST wedge resection; pancreatic head adenocarcinoma Whipple; BCLC-stage HCC management; CRS-HIPEC patient selection.
Hernia and Skin/Soft Tissue
Lichtenstein and TEP/TAPP for inguinal hernia, watchful waiting for small umbilical hernias, necrotizing fasciitis (vanc + pip-tazo + clinda + emergent debridement), 4 mm margins for low-risk BCC, off-midline pilonidal repair.
Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
Single preoperative antibiotic dose within 60 min; VTE prophylaxis with LMWH; refeeding syndrome (low phos/K/Mg); muddy brown casts for ATN; OPSI prophylaxis with vaccinations 14 days pre- or post-splenectomy.
Pediatric Surgery Basics
Pyloric stenosis (hypochloremic hypokalemic alkalosis, correct then operate), midgut volvulus with corkscrew sign (Ladd procedure), intussusception with air enema, biliary atresia Kasai before 60 days, Meckel scan for painless GI bleed.
Osteopathic Principles in Surgery
Rib raising and paraspinal inhibition for T5-L2 sympathetic balance to reduce postoperative ileus; lymphatic pump for atelectasis prevention; visceral and autonomic techniques; structure-function unity in perioperative recovery.
How to Pass the AOBS Surgery Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: AOA scaled score of 500 (200-800 scale)
- Exam length: 200 questions
- Time limit: ~4 hours 30 minutes (written, remote-proctored)
- Exam fee: Set annually by AOBS; oral exam fee ~$1,500 (AOBS 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
AOBS Surgery Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AOBS General Surgery certifying exam?
Candidates must be DOs who have completed an AOA-approved or ACGME-accredited 5-year general surgery residency, hold an unrestricted US medical license, and meet AOBS application timelines. Program director attestation of clinical competence is required. Following residency, candidates take the Part 1 written exam followed by the Part 2 oral exam.
How is the AOBS Surgery written exam structured?
The Part 1 written exam contains approximately 200 multiple-choice questions delivered over roughly 4 hours 30 minutes via a remote proctoring platform. It is offered once per year in the spring. Scores are reported on the AOA 200-800 scaled scale, with 500 representing the minimum passing standard.
What is the AOBS oral examination?
The AOBS oral exam (Part 2) is a separate structured live examination administered after the written exam is passed. It covers operative judgment, complications, and clinical reasoning through case-based scenarios with multiple examiners. The 2026 oral exam fee is approximately $1,500; virtual oral exams are not scheduled for 2026.
How is the AOBS Surgery exam scored?
The AOA reports scores on a 200 to 800 scaled scale, with a scaled score of 500 representing the minimum passing standard established by the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists. Pass/fail decisions and detailed performance feedback are provided by AOBS after each administration.
What topics are most heavily weighted on the AOBS Surgery exam?
The alimentary tract (GI surgery) is the largest category at roughly 25% of items, followed by trauma and critical care (~15%), vascular surgery (~10%), breast and endocrine (~10%), surgical oncology (~10%), hernia and soft tissue (~10%), and perioperative care (~10%). Pediatric surgery basics and osteopathic principles in surgery round out the blueprint at roughly 5% each.
Does the AOBS exam test osteopathic principles?
Yes. As an AOA board, AOBS expects candidates to integrate osteopathic principles in surgical practice, especially for perioperative recovery. Topics include rib raising and paraspinal inhibition for postoperative ileus, lymphatic pumps for atelectasis, and visceral and autonomic techniques. Approximately 5% of items address OMM in surgery.
How long should I study for the AOBS Surgery boards?
Most candidates report 400-600 hours of dedicated study over 6-12 months. A typical plan allocates substantial time to alimentary tract surgery, trauma, vascular, and surgical oncology. Question-bank drilling, ATLS review, SCORE curriculum modules, and structured review courses are commonly used in addition to AOBS-recommended resources.
What happens if I do not pass the AOBS Surgery written exam?
Candidates who do not pass the written exam may reapply for a subsequent administration per AOBS retake policy. Detailed performance feedback by content area helps target gaps. AOBS publishes time-limit requirements for completing the certification process after residency; candidates should consult the current AOBS handbook for retake policies.