The Dermatology MOC exam is administered by the American Board of Dermatology to maintain the dermatologist’s certification so they can continuing practicing. If you are worried about your upcoming Dermatology MOC exam, here are some FAQs to help you prepare.
Here are some common questions that we are asked about the Dermatology MOC Exam:
How much does the exam cost?
The application fee for the exam is $900.
When can I take the exam?
The exam is offered at select testing sites for a set range of dates in the spring of each year.
How long is the exam?
The examination lasts three hours.
How often do I need to take the exam?
Diplomates must take the exam once every 10-year cycle. The exam can be taken any time during years 3-10 of the exam cycle.
What is the exam format?
The closed-book proctored exam consists of two modules. The first is a 100-question, two-hour module on General Dermatology. This module consists of a series of images with a corresponding question on the most likely diagnosis. Some questions may provide clinical background designed to help the candidate select the best of five possible answers.
The second module is a one-hour, 50-question section on a topic of the candidate’s choice. Candidates may choose from the following subject areas: medical dermatology, dermatopathology, pediatric dermatology or surgical dermatology. Some of these questions may be image based, but not all.
How should I prepare for the exam?
The American Board of Dermatology recommends candidates work through the study guide found within their ABD profile. The study guide contains a list of 150 conditions on which the exam questions are based, along with 100 multiple choice questions for each of the self-selected modules. You may also wish to work through a review guide independently, for example, the highly acclaimed Dermatology: Illustrated Study Guide and Comprehensive Board Review by Sima Jain or McGraw Hill’s pictorial review. We strongly suggest using a Dermatology MOC-specific question set to prepare for the exam. There is a correlation between the number of practice questions taken and pass rates on the MOC.
