What to Expect on ABA APPLIED Exam Day: A Step-By-Step Guide

Introduction

The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) APPLIED Exam marks the final step on your path to board certification. After months of studying and mock-orals, the day of the exam can feel daunting — especially if you don’t know exactly what to expect. This article breaks down the entire day, from registration to the moment you log off (or leave the exam center), so that anesthesiology residents, fellows, and recent graduates can focus on performing their best rather than worrying about logistics.

Pre-Exam Logistics and Travel

Book the official hotel

If you are sitting for an in-person exam in Raleigh, the ABA partners with Hyatt House Raleigh North Hills. Your registration email will include a link to book a room in the official hotel block. Staying at the exam hotel ensures you are on time for registration and provides access to the shuttle that transports candidates to the ABA Assessment and Instructional Materials Evaluation (AIME) Center.

Check your ABA portal before arrival

Before traveling, log into your ABA GO portal to verify your name and mailing address. You must also report your full, unrestricted medical license by Nov. 15 of your exam year; failure to do so means you will not receive your certificate or be listed as “certified” in the diplomate directory.

Registration and Check-In

Bring identification and sign the video release

On exam day, registration takes place at the Hyatt House. You must present valid, government-issued photo identification (driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID) and sign a video release form authorizing the ABA to record your exam for educational and scoring purposes. Arriving early allows you to complete these steps without feeling rushed.

Drop off personal items

Lockers are available at the AIME Center to store your personal items — phones, wallets, keys, coats, watches, and bags. No personal items are allowed in the orientation or exam rooms, and any use of mobile or recording devices during the exam will invalidate your results and forfeit your registration fee.

Dress appropriately

The ABA recommends business attire for exam day. Comfortable, professional clothing shows respect for the process and helps set the right mindset.

Exam Length and Schedule

The APPLIED Exam comprises two possible components: the Standardized Oral Examination (SOE) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). You may be scheduled to complete one or both components in a single day.

• Single component (SOE or OSCE): the exam lasts 3.5 hours from the beginning of registration.
• Both components (SOE and OSCE): expect a total exam time of 5.25 hours, with a short break between components. A small number of candidates receive an hour-long break instead of the usual 15 minutes.

> Your exam time begins immediately after registration, so be punctual.

Food, Refreshments, and Breaks

During registration, the ABA provides coffee and light refreshments. However, no food or beverages are offered at the AIME Center. You are welcome to bring your own snacks or drinks, but there is no refrigerator on site. Once the exam starts you may not leave the examination room; scheduled breaks allow you to use the restroom or visit your locker.

The Standardized Oral Examination (SOE)

The SOE evaluates how you apply anesthetic knowledge to clinical scenarios. Whether you sit for the exam in person or virtually, the structure is similar: two case-based sessions with timed preparation periods and live examiners.

Orientation and preparation

After registration, you enter an orientation room where exam staff explain the process and display the first case stem. You have approximately 20 minutes to review this stem and outline your approach before the exam begins. Bring pen and paper for outlining; electronic devices are prohibited.

First session

The exam is conducted by two examiners. In a virtual administration, each session is 40 minutes to account for potential video delays; in person, sessions are 35 minutes. The examiners introduce themselves, confirm that you have the correct case stem, and then probe your decision-making, judgment, and communication skills. You will receive a one-minute warning before the end of the session.

Second session

After the first session, you return to the orientation room and receive a second case stem. You have about 10 minutes to review this shorter stem. The second session mirrors the first — two examiners question you for 35–40 minutes and issue a one-minute warning before the session ends. Once finished, the SOE component is complete.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The OSCE assesses communication, professionalism, and technical skills through a series of standardized stations. Candidates taking both components in one day proceed to the OSCE after a short break.

Format and timing

The OSCE lasts 84 minutes and consists of seven 8-minute encounters. Each encounter is preceded by a brief study period: 4 minutes for communication/professionalism stations and 3 minutes for technical stations. During the study period, the station stem appears in your web browser.

At the end of each study period, a standardized patient, clinician, or exam facilitator enters and the encounter begins. You remain in the same exam room (virtually or physically) as you rotate through all seven stations. A tone sounds two minutes before each encounter ends, giving you time to conclude your presentation.

Skills assessed

OSCE stations test a range of abilities: informed consent discussions, communication with distressed family members, professionalism, crisis management, interpretation of monitors and echocardiograms, and other technical skills. Each station is standardized and video recorded to ensure fairness.

Breaks and Unscheduled Interruptions

If you take both components, there will be at least a 20-minute break between the SOE and OSCE. Once a component begins, no unscheduled breaks are permitted. Unforeseen technical issues during a virtual exam may require rescheduling, but the ABA has contingency plans to minimize disruptions.

What to Bring and What to Avoid

Bring

• Valid photo ID and any documents specified in your registration email (e.g., video release form)
• Business attire
• Pen and blank paper for outlining case stems during the SOE
• Personal refreshments if desired (no refrigeration available)
• Luggage if you plan to go directly to the airport — the ABA provides a shuttle to Raleigh–Durham International Airport after the exam; bring your luggage to registration and load it on the shuttle

Avoid

• Mobile phones, smartwatches, recording devices, or any personal electronics — these must stay in your locker and cannot be taken into the exam rooms; using them during the exam will invalidate your exam and result in the loss of your registration fee
• Firearms or dangerous items, regardless of legal permits
• Virtual backgrounds or backgrounds displaying personal information if taking a virtual exam

After the Exam

Your exam results will appear in your ABA GO portal approximately two weeks after your exam. A full exam report follows about a week later. To be listed as certified, ensure your medical license is reported by Nov. 15.

Tips for Success

Even with careful planning, exam day can be stressful. Here are a few strategies shared by experienced diplomates and professional organizations:

1. Arrive early and get organized. Arriving in Raleigh a day or two before the exam allows you to adjust to the time zone and ensures travel delays won’t affect your performance. The California Society of Anesthesiologists suggests minimizing travel stress by arriving early and avoiding additional study the day before the exam. 2. Relax and focus on judgment. Examiners assess your judgment, adaptability, and communication skills — not rote memorization. The exam is structured so that most candidates walk in capable of passing. 3. Practice under exam-like conditions. Use mock oral exams and OSCE simulations to build confidence in articulating your thought process under pressure. Starting preparation six months before the exam and increasing the frequency of mock exams as the test approaches is a common strategy. 4. Leverage On Call Board Prep. Our platform offers on-demand simulations that mirror the structure of the SOE and OSCE. You can practice anywhere — on your phone or laptop — without coordinating schedules. Real-time AI examiners present authentic cases, and structured feedback highlights your strengths, areas for improvement, and likelihood of passing. Use the free trial session to experience how our simulations can enhance your exam readiness.

Conclusion

Knowledge of exam logistics can reduce anxiety and help you focus on what matters: demonstrating sound judgment, clear communication, and professionalism. By planning your travel, understanding the timeline, and practicing under realistic conditions, you can approach your ABA APPLIED Exam with confidence. Whether you are weeks away or just starting your preparation, use the resources above — and don’t forget to schedule a practice session with On Call Board Prep — to turn exam day into the final milestone on your journey to becoming a board-certified anesthesiologist.

References

1. Preparing for Your APPLIED Exam, The American Board of Anesthesiology – official exam-day manual covering hotel bookings, registration, exam length, breaks, food and beverage policies, lockers, shuttle service, and prohibited items. 2. Exam FAQ (APPLIED), The American Board of Anesthesiology – details on exam duration, break lengths, food policies, and post-exam procedures. 3. CSA Oral Board Resources, California Society of Anesthesiologists – exam-day advice emphasizing travel preparation, relaxation, and focusing on judgment. 4. On Call Board Prep – on-demand case simulations, AI examiners, and structured feedback to help you practice anywhere, anytime.