In CSE, the candidate examines a different patient at each of four 30-minute stations, in the performance of 19 clinical skills. Although this examination measures primarily psychomotor skills, it contains an assessment of affective (i.e., clinical habits and attitudes) and communication skills, as well as some interpretation of clinical findings. CSE is administered in one 3.5 hour session; however, because of the limited number of candidates who may be examined per session, multiple sessions are scheduled. Click here for the 2008 CSE Candidate Guide. Candidates are expected to carefully and thoroughly review the Candidate Orientation information contained in this document prior to arrival at the test center. Most of this information will not be repeated during the on-site Candidate Orientation. Click here for the CSE Station Evaluation Forms.

For CSE, the only acceptable reasons for rescheduling are conflicts with religious observances or with dates of a state board examination. Such rescheduling is dependent upon available openings. Candidates should submit their special requests for CSE along with their application. Candidates should email, mail, or fax any special requests to the NBEO office. The National Board will try to meet these special requests but cannot guarantee that the requests can be met.

The National Board reserves the right to add or cancel a test center at any time. If a center is canceled, registrants at the center will be reassigned to the nearest available center.

The PAM examination consists of 40 simulated patient cases, each of which begins with a scenario and includes 3-4 multiple-choice items. Each multiple-choice item, which may contain as many as 10 options, focuses on assessment and management of patient data. Candidates are evaluated for their abilities in diagnosis, interpretation and correlation of clinical data, treatment, follow-up, prognosis, and patient education.

Student candidates are permitted to take Part III (both components) just before they graduate from a ACOE-accredited institution. However, an individual candidate's official score report containing Part III scores will not be released until the National Board has received official notification that the candidate has graduated. Also, no official score reports containing Part III scores will be released to any candidate until the posted date for Release of Score Reports.

Candidates are required to take both components (i.e., CSE and PAM) in one administration (i.e., spring or summer). However, candidates who have previously passed Part III may retake either individual section alone at their own discretion if they wish to improve a prior score.

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