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100+ Free ISCEBS Fellow Practice Questions

Pass your Fellow, International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Question 1
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GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) restricts employers and group health plans from:

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ISCEBS Fellow Exam

100

Maximum Questions (Both Tracks)

ISCEBS Fellow Exam

2 hr

Time Limit

ISCEBS Fellow Exam

$195

Combined Exam Fee

ISCEBS Fellow course materials

$125

Per-Track Exam Fee

ISCEBS Fellow course materials

2 yr

Fellow + CEBS Compliance (Both Tracks)

ISCEBS Fellowship program

Wharton

Course Developer

ISCEBS

As of May 2026, ISCEBS materials describe the Fellow Exam as a Wharton-developed online exam with up to 50 questions per track (health and retirement), a maximum of 100 questions if both tracks are taken, a 2-hour time limit, and a $125 per track or $195 combined fee. Eligibility is limited to CEBS graduates and GBA/RPA/CMS designees who are ISCEBS Society members. Completing both tracks earns the ISCEBS Fellow designation and 2 years of CEBS Compliance; one track earns Fellow status and 1 year of CEBS Compliance.

Sample ISCEBS Fellow Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ISCEBS Fellow exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An employer's grandfathered group health plan loses grandfathered status when which of the following occurs?
A.The plan adds a new optional rider without changing cost sharing
B.The plan increases an employee's coinsurance percentage from 20% to 30%
C.The plan changes a contracted network administrator but keeps benefits identical
D.The plan updates summary plan description language for clarity only
Explanation: Under the ACA grandfathering rules, any increase in a percentage cost-sharing requirement (such as coinsurance) causes loss of grandfathered status, because it is treated as a material reduction in benefits.
2For 2026, the IRS-established employer mandate affordability percentage used to determine whether ACA coverage is affordable for employees is closest to which value?
A.8.39%
B.9.02%
C.9.96%
D.10.50%
Explanation: Revenue Procedure 2025-25 set the ACA employer mandate affordability percentage at 9.96% for plan years beginning in 2026, up from 9.02% in 2025. Plans use this to evaluate the lowest-cost self-only premium against employee household income.
3Under the ACA's employer shared responsibility rules, an applicable large employer is generally one that employed how many full-time and full-time equivalent employees on average during the prior calendar year?
A.At least 25
B.At least 50
C.At least 100
D.At least 250
Explanation: An applicable large employer (ALE) is defined as one with at least 50 full-time employees (including FTEs) during the prior calendar year. ALEs are subject to the employer shared responsibility provisions and Section 6056 reporting on Forms 1094-C and 1095-C.
4A self-funded group health plan sponsor wants to limit financial exposure from catastrophic individual claims while retaining most claim risk. Which arrangement directly addresses that goal?
A.Aggregate stop-loss only with a low attachment factor
B.Specific (individual) stop-loss insurance with a per-person attachment point
C.Fully insured medical contract with experience rating
D.Health reimbursement arrangement integrated with major medical
Explanation: Specific stop-loss reimburses the plan when an individual's claims exceed a defined attachment point, directly capping per-person exposure. Aggregate stop-loss instead caps total plan claims, and the other options either remove or do not provide claim-risk transfer in this way.
5Which feature most distinguishes a level-funded medical plan from a traditional self-funded plan?
A.Level-funded plans are always subject to state-mandated benefit laws
B.Level-funded plans charge a fixed monthly amount that bundles expected claims, administration, and stop-loss
C.Level-funded plans cannot include any stop-loss coverage
D.Level-funded plans must be filed with state insurance departments as fully insured products
Explanation: Level-funded arrangements combine expected claims, administrative fees, and stop-loss premium into a fixed monthly payment, giving employers cash-flow predictability while preserving self-funded structure. Year-end reconciliation may return surplus or recoup additional funds depending on actual claims.
6An employer is choosing between fully insured and self-funded medical coverage. Which factor most strongly favors self-funding for a 1,500-employee employer?
A.Predictable monthly premium with no year-end reconciliation
B.Avoidance of all stop-loss costs
C.ERISA preemption of state-mandated benefits and state premium taxes
D.Mandatory state risk-pool participation
Explanation: Self-funded ERISA plans generally are not subject to state-mandated benefits or premium taxes, allowing plan-design flexibility and potential cost savings. That preemption is a primary financial and design driver for mid-to-large employers considering self-funding.
7An employee elects a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and wants to contribute to a health savings account (HSA) in 2026. Which condition would disqualify HSA contributions even though the HDHP is qualifying?
A.The employee is also covered by a general-purpose flexible spending account
B.The employee is also covered by a limited-purpose dental and vision FSA
C.The employee's spouse has an individual HDHP with no other coverage
D.The employer makes a comparable HSA contribution for the employee
Explanation: Coverage under a general-purpose health FSA provides first-dollar reimbursement of medical expenses, making the individual ineligible for HSA contributions. Limited-purpose FSAs that only cover dental and vision are HSA-compatible.
8For calendar year 2026, the IRS-published HSA contribution limits for individuals with self-only and family HDHP coverage, respectively, are closest to which amounts?
A.$3,650 and $7,300
B.$4,150 and $8,300
C.$4,300 and $8,550
D.$4,400 and $8,750
Explanation: Revenue Procedure 2025-19 set the 2026 HSA contribution limits at $4,400 for self-only HDHP coverage and $8,750 for family HDHP coverage, with a $1,000 catch-up for individuals age 55 and older.
9For 2026 the IRS health FSA contribution limit and maximum permitted carryover, respectively, are closest to which amounts?
A.$3,050 and $610
B.$3,200 and $640
C.$3,300 and $660
D.$3,400 and $680
Explanation: For plan years beginning in 2026, the health FSA salary-reduction contribution limit is $3,400 and the maximum permitted carryover is $680 (20% of the contribution limit). These amounts adjust annually for inflation.
10Which of the following best describes an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA)?
A.A self-insured medical plan available only to large employers under ERISA Title IV
B.An HRA that reimburses employees for individual health insurance premiums and certain medical expenses, available to employers of any size
C.A reimbursement arrangement that is treated as group health insurance subject to state premium taxes
D.An employer contribution to a multiemployer plan trust used for retiree health
Explanation: An ICHRA, finalized in 2019, lets employers of any size reimburse employees enrolled in individual market coverage for premiums and qualified medical expenses. It must be offered on uniform terms within defined employee classes and integrates with the ACA market.

About the ISCEBS Fellow Exam

The ISCEBS Fellow is a post-CEBS designation recognizing employee benefits professionals committed to continuing professional development. Candidates pass a Wharton-developed Fellow Exam organized into a health track and a retirement track, with course material updated annually to reflect current and emerging trends in benefits, ERISA, executive compensation, and global benefits practice.

Assessment

Online proctored Fellow Exam with a health track of up to 50 questions and a retirement track of up to 50 questions. Candidates may complete one track (Fellow plus 1 year of CEBS Compliance) or both tracks (Fellow plus 2 years of CEBS Compliance).

Time Limit

2 hours regardless of one or both tracks

Passing Score

Auto-scored pass/not-passed result issued by the ISCEBS Fellow Exam platform; ISCEBS does not publish a numeric passing score

Exam Fee

$125 per track or $195 for the combined exam (International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) with course content developed by The Wharton School)

ISCEBS Fellow Exam Content Outline

~50% of combined exam

Health Track

Advanced group health benefits, ACA employer mandate and affordability, MHPAEA parity and NQTL analyses, transparency rules, No Surprises Act, COBRA/HIPAA, Section 125, HSAs/FSAs/HRAs/ICHRA, self-funding and level-funded plans, disability and life insurance, and wellness/GINA/ADA boundaries.

~50% of combined exam

Retirement Track

Advanced DB vs DC plan design, ERISA Title I fiduciary duties, ERISA Title IV and PBGC, SECURE 2.0 (RMD age, catch-ups, Roth catch-up, auto-enrollment, QSLP match, PLESA, LTPT), 409A executive compensation and rabbi trusts, equity compensation (RSUs, NQSOs, ISOs, ESPPs), multiemployer plans and withdrawal liability, governmental plans, and plan termination and restructuring.

How to Pass the ISCEBS Fellow Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Auto-scored pass/not-passed result issued by the ISCEBS Fellow Exam platform; ISCEBS does not publish a numeric passing score
  • Assessment: Online proctored Fellow Exam with a health track of up to 50 questions and a retirement track of up to 50 questions. Candidates may complete one track (Fellow plus 1 year of CEBS Compliance) or both tracks (Fellow plus 2 years of CEBS Compliance).
  • Time limit: 2 hours regardless of one or both tracks
  • Exam fee: $125 per track or $195 for the combined exam

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ISCEBS Fellow Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practice across both tracks even if you plan to take only one, because Fellow Exam questions emphasize integration of health and retirement issues.
2Memorize current-year IRS, DOL, PBGC, and ACA limits because the Wharton materials are updated annually and recent figures appear in questions.
3Drill ERISA fiduciary scenarios involving prudence, monitoring, prohibited transactions, and 404(c)/QDIA elements.
4Practice 409A timing and permissible-event scenarios alongside parachute (280G), 162(m), and Dodd-Frank clawback rules.
5Build a mental map of how COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, MHPAEA, NSA, and Transparency in Coverage rules interact for group health plans.
6Study global and expatriate benefits at a strategic level, focusing on totalization, tax equalization, and Section 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ISCEBS Fellow exam-based or experience-based?

The ISCEBS Fellow designation is exam-based. Candidates must pass the Wharton-developed Fellow Exam, which has a health track and a retirement track. ISCEBS does not award the Fellow designation purely on experience.

How many questions are on the ISCEBS Fellow Exam?

Each track of the Fellow Exam has up to 50 questions, for a total of up to 100 questions when both tracks are taken. The exam length is 2 hours regardless of whether one or both tracks are selected.

How much does the ISCEBS Fellow Exam cost in 2026?

ISCEBS lists the Fellow Exam at $125 per track or $195 for the combined health and retirement exam. ISCEBS Society membership is required to register, and electronic course materials are typically included with registration.

Who is eligible to take the ISCEBS Fellow Exam?

Eligibility is limited to CEBS graduates and to holders of the GBA, RPA, or CMS designations who are current ISCEBS Society members. There is no specific work-experience requirement beyond holding a qualifying ISCEBS-recognized designation.

How does ISCEBS Fellow status affect CEBS Compliance?

Passing both the health and retirement tracks earns ISCEBS Fellow status and 2 years of CEBS Compliance. Passing only one track grants Fellow status and 1 year of CEBS Compliance. CEBS Compliance otherwise requires 30 hours of qualifying CE every 2 years.

What current topics matter most for ISCEBS Fellow prep in 2026?

Priority 2026 topics include the ACA affordability percentage of 9.96%, IRS 401(k) deferral limit of $24,500 with $8,000 age-50 catch-up and $11,250 age-60-63 catch-up, HSA limits of $4,400 self-only and $8,750 family, the FSA limit of $3,400 with $680 carryover, the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage rules, MHPAEA NQTL comparative analysis, SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up implementation, the long-term part-time 2-year/500-hour rule, and ESG/clawback updates affecting executive compensation.