Key facts
| Awarding body | American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) |
|---|---|
| Role | Qualifying written exam in the staged initial-certification pathway; passing BASIC is required to qualify for the ADVANCED Exam. |
| Format | 200 A-type single-best-answer questions in four hours; some refer to static images. |
| Sittings | Offered twice each year. |
| Listed exam dates | November 6–7, 2026; June 4–5 and November 12–13, 2027. |
| Next future registration windows and fees | 2027 summer standard registration: February 10–April 7 ($975; retake $830); late registration: April 8–22 ($1,475; retake $1,330). |
| Eligibility | 18 months of satisfactory training, including fundamental clinical skills and clinical anesthesiology training, with credentials approved by the ABA. |
| Passing standard | Published standard: 67.5%, corresponding to scale score 184; the ABA states it has applied since June 2023. |
| Reported pass rate | 89.5% overall pass rate for the June 2025 BASIC administration. |
| Results timing | Results generally take about four to six weeks after the exam. |
What the ABA BASIC exam assesses
ABA BASIC assesses the scientific basis of clinical anesthetic practice, including pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, equipment and monitoring. It also tests clinical and organ-based knowledge. Passing BASIC is required to qualify for the ABA ADVANCED Exam.
Residents are encouraged to take BASIC near the end of CA-1 year, but the recommended timing does not replace the registration requirement: residents must have completed 18 months of satisfactory training and have their credentials approved by the ABA.
ABA BASIC exam format and question types
The exam tests application of knowledge, not just factual recall. A-type items are single-best-answer multiple-choice questions; they often use a brief clinical vignette and three response options. Some questions refer to static images.
| Exam feature | Format |
|---|---|
| Questions | 200 |
| Question type | A-type, single-best-answer multiple choice |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Administration | Computer-based; offered twice each year |
The ABA builds each form to the same blueprint specifications so that forms assess comparable breadth and depth of content.
ABA BASIC exam dates, registration windows and fees
The ABA lists the following fall 2026 and 2027 administrations. Registration for the November 2026 sitting has closed.
| Sitting | Exam dates | Registration windows | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 fall | November 6–7, 2026 | Standard: July 15–September 9, 2026; late: September 10–24, 2026 | Standard: $975 ($830 retake); late: $1,475 ($1,330 retake) |
| 2027 summer | June 4–5, 2027 | Standard: February 10–April 7, 2027; late: April 8–22, 2027 | Standard: $975 ($830 retake); late: $1,475 ($1,330 retake) |
| 2027 fall | November 12–13, 2027 | Standard: July 21–September 15, 2027; late: September 16–30, 2027 | Standard: $975 ($830 retake); late: $1,475 ($1,330 retake) |
After registration, the ABA assigns an exam date. A date change is limited to religious observance, military commitments or medical accommodations.
ABA BASIC eligibility requirements
To register, residents must have evidence on file with the ABA of 18 months of satisfactory training, including fundamental clinical skills and clinical anesthesiology training. The ABA reviews residents' credentials and notifies them when they are eligible to register.
Residents who will complete the 18-month requirement before March 31 may register for the following summer exam. Those who will complete it before September 30 may register for the following fall exam. Residents who fail BASIC may take it again at the next opportunity.
ABA BASIC syllabus and blueprint
The blueprint divides the exam into four broad categories. Clinical and organ-based sciences together make up 73% of the blueprint.
| Blueprint category | Relative percentage | Questions per form |
|---|---|---|
| Basic sciences | 24% | 44–52 |
| Clinical sciences | 36% | 65–79 |
| Organ-based basic and clinical sciences | 37% | 66–82 |
| Special problems or issues in anesthesiology | 3% | 4–8 |
Topics within the blueprint
- Basic sciences: anatomy; physics, monitoring and anesthesia delivery devices; mathematics; pharmacology.
- Clinical sciences: patient evaluation and preoperative preparation; regional and general anesthesia; monitored anesthesia care and sedation; intravenous fluid therapy; common complications; postoperative care.
- Organ-based sciences: central and peripheral nervous systems; respiratory and cardiovascular systems; gastrointestinal and hepatic systems; renal and urinary systems and electrolyte balance; hematology; endocrine and metabolic systems; neuromuscular-junction anatomy and physiology.
- Special issues: physician impairment or disability; ethics, practice management and medicolegal issues.
The ABA's initial certification content outline expands these headings into individual topic areas.
ABA BASIC passing standard, results and retakes
The ABA evaluates candidates against an established performance standard, not a rank or fixed proportion of the cohort. Its published standard is 67.5%, corresponding to a scale score of 184; the ABA states that it has applied since June 2023. The reported overall pass rate for the June 2025 BASIC sitting was 89.5%.
BASIC results generally take about four to six weeks after the exam. Residents who do not pass may take the exam at the next opportunity. A repeat failure no longer automatically results in an unsatisfactory Clinical Competence Committee report; residency programs set their own academic and graduation requirements.
How to prepare for ABA BASIC
Start with the blueprint, not a stack of disconnected facts. Clinical and organ-based sciences account for most of the exam, while A-type questions test whether you can apply knowledge to a clinical problem.
- Balance revision across all four blueprint categories; do not let pharmacology and physics crowd out clinical and organ-based topics.
- Link mechanisms to anesthetic consequences. For example, revise physiology alongside the clinical decisions it informs.
- Practise timed question blocks and review the reasoning behind both correct and incorrect answers. The exam's 200 questions in four hours allow an average of 72 seconds per question.
- Include image-based practice and work through the ABA's official sample questions to become familiar with the published format.
For a longer study plan, continue to the detailed BASIC preparation article.
More preparation advice: The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for the Basic ABA Exam
ABA BASIC practice questions with Anesthesia Zone
ABA BASIC uses single-best-answer questions, so begin with the SBA items in Anesthesia Zone's Primary/Basic anesthesia MCQ/MTF bank. It contains 1,463 questions: 680 in Physiology and Pharmacology, 335 in Clinical Anesthesia, 290 in Physics, Equipment, and Monitoring, 127 in Anatomy, and 31 in Ethics, Statistical Methods, and Data Interpretation. The bank also offers multiple-choice, multiple true/false and multiple-best-answer questions, which you can use for broader topic review.
- Primary/Basic anesthesia MCQ/MTF 1,463 questions
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on ABA BASIC, and how long is the exam?
ABA BASIC has 200 questions and four hours of testing time.
Is ABA BASIC an MTF exam or a single-best-answer exam?
It is an A-type, single-best-answer multiple-choice exam, not an MTF exam. Some questions refer to static images.
Who is eligible to take ABA BASIC?
Residents must have evidence on file with the ABA of 18 months of satisfactory training, including fundamental clinical skills and clinical anesthesiology training. The ABA approves credentials and notifies residents when they are eligible to register.
When is the next ABA BASIC exam?
The next scheduled sitting is November 6–7, 2026. The following listed administrations are June 4–5 and November 12–13, 2027.
What is the ABA BASIC pass mark and pass rate?
The ABA's published standard is 67.5%, corresponding to a scale score of 184; the ABA states that this standard has applied since June 2023. The overall pass rate for the June 2025 BASIC administration was 89.5%. The ABA evaluates candidates against a performance standard rather than ranking them against one another.
When are ABA BASIC results released?
The ABA says BASIC results generally take about four to six weeks after the exam.
Where can I find ABA BASIC practice exam questions?
The ABA links official sample questions from its BASIC Exam page. For additional practice, see the Anesthesia Zone Primary/Basic question bank linked in the practice section.
References
Exam rules, dates and fees change. Always confirm the details with the awarding body before you apply.