NBME Family Medicine Shelf Exam Review Questions and Practice Tests

Medical Editor

Elise Torres, MD

Our Family Medicine editor, Elise Torres, MD, is a board-certified family physician who practices full spectrum family medicine and telemedicine. After graduating from Stanford University and Harvard Medical School, she completed her family residency training at the Stanford O'Connor Family Medicine Residency and obstetrics fellowship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, CA.

What content is covered on the Family Medicine Shelf Exam?

According to the NBME Clinical Science Family Medicine Modular content outline, the following topics are covered on the Core portion of the exam:

• General Principles, Including Normal Age-Related Findings and Care of the Well Patient 5% – 10%
• Immune System 1% – 5%
• Blood & Lymphoreticular System 1% – 5%
• Behavioral Health 5% – 10%
• Nervous System & Special Senses 1% – 5%
• Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue 3% – 7%
• Musculoskeletal System (% increases with the addition of the Musculoskeletal module) 5% – 10%
• Cardiovascular System 5% – 10%
• Respiratory System 5% – 10%
• Gastrointestinal System 5% – 10%
• Renal & Urinary System 1% – 5%
• Pregnancy, Childbirth, & the Puerperium 1% – 5%
• Female Reproductive System & Breast 1% – 5%
• Male Reproductive System 1% – 5%
• Endocrine System 5% – 10%
• Multisystem Processes & Disorders 1%–5%
• Biostatistics, Epidemiology/Population Health, & Interpretation of the Medical Lit. 1% – 5%
• Social Sciences 5% – 10%
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Medical ethics and jurisprudence
• Systems-based practice and patient safety

In addition to the Core portion of the exam as outlined above, optional modules in Musculoskeletal/Sports-related injury and Chronic Care are available as a supplement.

What question formats are on the Family Medicine Shelf Exam?

As outlined in the NBME Guide to the Subject Examination Program, the following question formats will be on the exam:

Application of Knowledge

This exam will have an increased emphasis on the application of knowledge instead of the recall of isolated facts.

Vignettes

Questions are framed in the context of clinical vignettes.

Single-best-answer (A-type)

This is the most widely used MCQ format. Each question is comprised of a focused item stem (e.g., a clinical vignette) and a lead-in question, followed by a series of options with one correct answer for each item.

Extended Matching (R-type)

These questions are organized into sets that use one list of options for all items in the set. Examinees must select one best answer.