Examination Format
COMVEX Computer-Based Examinations
The COMVEX examination consists of 300 multiple-choice questions (items), each with a single best answer. Some test questions involve audio-visual components designed to assess an expanded physician competency subset. For an outline of the topics that may be included in the COMVEX examination and details about the test day, please review the COMVEX Bulletin of Information.
The examination is divided into two 3.5-hour sessions, each with two 75-item sections. During the examination day, breaks are scheduled between each section, and candidates will have 60 minutes of pooled break time to use across the three breaks.
Candidates may use as much or as little break time as they need during any of the three breaks, and taking each break is optional. Use of break time does not reduce candidates’ available testing time.
Please note that if the entire 60 minutes of break time is exhausted before the end of the examination, any time spent on subsequent breaks will decrease available remaining examination time.
| Session |
Time |
|
| MORNING |
3.5 hours |
Total testing time for sections 1 and 2 |
| Tutorial/instructions - standard |
14 minutes |
|
| Section 1: 75 MCQ items |
|
|
| Break #1 |
Optional, Time deducted from pooled break time |
|
| Section 2: 75 MCQ items |
|
|
| Break #2 |
Optional, Time deducted from pooled break time |
|
| AFTERNOON |
3.5 hours |
Total testing time for sections 3 and 4 |
| Section 3: 75 MCQ items |
|
|
| Break #3 |
Optional, Time deducted from pooled break time |
|
| Section 4: 75 MCQ items |
|
|
Available Examination Features
Examination Review Screen
A review page is presented upon completion of each section. Candidates can review the status of items in the current section, including questions answered, questions marked for further review, and questions not answered.
Advancing through Examination Sections
Once a candidate submits all answers and ends a section, they cannot return to review or change any answers within that section.
Time Limitations
Although each session is 3.5 hours in total, the two individual sections within a session are self-paced. A clock is provided to assist with time management. Warnings are given of the time remaining before the end of each 3.5-hour session.
Examination Visual References
Use of an “exhibit” button may be required in order to see graphic materials related to a test question. These “exhibits” consist of images, videos, or audio avatars. In some cases, multiple “exhibits” may be used in order to answer a question.
Additional Tools
COMVEX includes functional features such as a standard calculator and lab values with reference ranges (where applicable) embedded directly into test questions.
