PEBC Exam Format and What to Expect
The PEBC Qualifying Examination has two parts on separate days: Part I is a multiple-choice (MCQ) exam, and Part II is a performance-based OSCE. Here is exactly what each one looks like so there are no surprises on exam day.
Part I: the MCQ exam
Part I is a single-day, computer-based exam. It has 200 questions delivered in one section over 260 minutes, plus a short post-exam survey, so plan for roughly 4.5 hours at the seat. Of the 200 questions, 150 are scored and 50 are unscored pretest questions mixed in, which you cannot tell apart, so answer every question as if it counts.
You pick the single best answer for each question. There is an on-screen scientific calculator, a Section Review tool to jump back to flagged or unanswered questions, and a timer you can toggle between the section time and the total test time.
There is no tutorial at the start of the real exam. Do the official demo tutorial beforehand so the interface and the calculator are familiar.
Try the official demo first
The single best way to know what the MCQ will feel like is to run PEBC's own demo tutorial. It uses the real interface, the real on-screen tools, and the same calculator, so you walk in already comfortable with the format.
Test centre or remote proctoring
You can write the MCQ in person at a Prometric test centre or by remote proctoring on your own computer. Test-centre seats are limited and not guaranteed, so be ready to take it remotely if needed.
If you choose remote proctoring, run the system check and the remote demo exam early to confirm your computer and connection will work, since fixing equipment issues on exam day is not an option.
Part II: the OSCE
Part II is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, taken on a different day than the MCQ. It is a series of timed stations that simulate real practice situations, with both interactive stations (where you speak with a standardized patient or health professional) and non-interactive stations.
There are 11 scored stations, each 7 minutes long, and you are assessed on communication, the outcome you reach, and your overall performance. Plan to be at the exam centre for several hours.
Frequently asked questions
- How many questions are on the PEBC MCQ exam?
- 200 questions in total, of which 150 are scored and 50 are unscored pretest questions that are mixed in and not identifiable. You answer all 200 in a single section over 260 minutes.
- Is there a calculator on the PEBC exam?
- Yes. The MCQ includes an on-screen scientific calculator. Practice with it in the official demo tutorial before exam day so you are comfortable with where it is and how it works.
- How long is the PEBC MCQ exam?
- The testing section is 260 minutes (4 hours 20 minutes) for all 200 questions, plus a short post-exam survey, so plan for about 4.5 hours at the seat.
- What is the PEBC test centre like?
- It is a standard proctored computer lab. You show your ID at the door, your belongings go into a locker, and you sit at a partitioned workstation with noise-cancelling headphones provided. Proctors walk the room and also watch through an observation window. It is straightforward once you are seated, so the setting itself is nothing to worry about.
- What if something disrupts me during the exam?
- You are given a form to report anything that affected your sitting, such as a technical issue or a disturbance, and you must complete it on exam day. Concerns raised after the fact are generally not considered, so flag any problem right away, before you leave the centre.