Exam Information

General Audiology Board Certification (GABC)®

The GABC exam is delivered online by computer using live remote proctors. After registering for the exam, candidates will receive an e-mail notification to create an account in the testing platform so they can schedule an appointment with a live remote proctor during the appointed testing window. Candidates may choose the date and time of their exam that best fits their schedule and may test in any location that meets test security requirements of the ABA. See the GABC Candidate Handbook and the Exam Schedule section below for more information about those requirements.

Exam Design

The ABA General Audiology Board Certification® examination is designed to test a well-defined body of knowledge representative of current professional practice in audiology. Successful completion of the certification examination verifies broad-based knowledge in the discipline being tested.

The content of the GABC examination is defined by a national Practice Analysis study. The study involved surveying hundreds of audiologists to identify tasks that are performed routinely and considered important to competent practice. The examination has been developed through a combined effort of qualified subject-matter experts (SMEs) and testing professionals who construct the examination in accordance with the GABC test blueprint derived from the Practice Analysis.

Beta Exam Structure

The GABC beta exam consists of 225 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. Following psychometric review, some test items may be discarded and others retained for future inclusion into the operational item bank. 150 questions will be included in calculating the candidates’ scores. Beta exam candidates have four (4) hours to complete the exam.

Exam Preparation

No two candidates come to the exam with the same knowledge base. Since experience and educational backgrounds are unique, these differences must be taken into consideration when determining a study method. The majority of individuals become involved in some form of exam preparation. Because the exams measure mastery of the application of the body of knowledge, it is impossible to train or teach to the exam. The best preparation is to understand the knowledge requirements (Test Content Outline) and their application to current audiology practice.

An audiologist who has met the eligibility requirements to sit for GABC should have the knowledge and experience needed to take and pass the examination. However, the ABA does recommend that you review the content areas covered on the exam by using the Test Content Outline. You might want to review the Test Content Outline for topics or subtopics with which you are less familiar. If you find a particular area with which you are not familiar or comfortable, that would be an area on which to focus your study or review. Or, you may want to do a surface review of all the content areas, even those you believe you know well.

Tips for Exam

Review the Test Content Outline against what your own personal, professional experience has been
Once you have identified areas for review, select and read a publication off of the Resource Reading List that addresses the areas you have identified
Form an informal study group with other colleagues in the area who are planning to take the examination. You can benefit from the diverse experience of others and provide an alternate perspective.
Review materials independently, determining for yourself on which content areas to focus
Participate in more structured review environments, perhaps with individuals who are already certified in general audiology.

While there is not one "best way" to study, what is important is to develop your own plan for studying. Set aside some time each week for several weeks, or months, prior to the exam to devote to some form of preparation.

What is most important is that this type of review cannot be left until the last minute. A hasty, tense reading of a wealth of information will not be effective.

No examination or certification program can guarantee results of the quality of care provided by certificants. The certification examination tests only the individual's familiarity with the subject matter at the time of the administration of the examination.

GABC Exam Content Outline

The exam content is described by content area and the percentage of scored items on the test in each area.

PHYSIOLOGIC BASIS OF AUDITORY FUNCTION AND HEARING DISORDERS - 18%

ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH AUDITORY DISORDERS - 20%

Case history and interviewing techniques
Communication (needs) assessment tools and questionnaires
Otoscopic examination: basic visual assessment of external anatomy (e.g., pinna, ear canal, tympanic membrane)
Audiometry (e.g., air and bone conduction, interaural attenuation, masking procedures, high frequency audiometry)
Speech audiometry (e.g., SRT, WRS, MCL, UCL, SPIN, masking procedures)
Immittance measures (e.g., tympanometry, acoustic reflex threshold, acoustic reflex decay, wideband, Eustachian tube function test)
Evoked potentials: OAEs
Evoked potentials: ABR
Tinnitus assessment tools: basic concepts related to tinnitus assessment (e.g., pitch and loudness matching, minimum masking levels, subjective questionnaires)
Equipment specifications and calibration standards

DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH AUDITORY DISORDERS - 16%

Interpretation of test results (e.g., air, bone, and speech audiometry, immittance, ABR, OAE)
Pathophysiology and etiology of common otologic disorders
Differential diagnosis: using test results and patient history (including visible signs and reported symptoms) to determine pathology/site of lesion
Imaging basics: basic differences between MRI and CT; which conditions can be identified by each Risk factors of auditory and vestibular disorders

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH AUDITORY DISORDERS - 35%

Amplification: hearing aid candidacy based on audiometric data (degree and configuration of hearing loss, WRS, SNR loss) and individual patient factors
Amplification: hearing aid prescriptive fitting formulas and method
Amplification: hearing aid components and basic digital signal processing
Implantable devices: cochlear implant and bone conduction devices
Earmolds and earmold acoustics
Auditory (re)habilitation
Counseling strategies and techniques: informational and educational counseling
Auditory training
Communication strategies training
Hearing assistive technology (e.g., FM systems, alerting devices, other amplification devices)
OTC hearing aids and other devices
Hearing conservation and hearing protection devices
Electroacoustic analysis of hearing devices
Hearing aid verification: real ear probe microphone measurement
Functional gain measures
Outcome measures and treatment validation
Cerumen management protocols and techniques
Treatment of single-sided or asymmetric hearing loss (e.g., CROS/BiCROS/CI/BAHA)
Tinnitus management approaches
Management of hyperacusis and misophonia

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL AUDIOLOGIC CARE - 9%

Referral criteria (e.g., cochlear implant, vestibular, APD, tinnitus)
Pharmacology: basics of ototoxicity and vestibulotoxicity; common ototoxic drugs
Special populations (e.g., geriatrics, pediatrics, comorbidities, medically complex/fragile)
Genetics: basics of inheritance patterns (dominant vs recessive), syndromes associated with auditory disorders
Newborn hearing screening: basic guidelines and referral criteria for further evaluation
Pediatric developmental milestones
Psychosocial aspects of hearing loss: emotional, social, and psychological impact of hearing loss; relationship between untreated hearing loss and risk of cognitive changes
Vestibular treatment and intervention basics
Tele-audiology

PROFESSIONAL AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT ISSUES - 5%

GABC Suggested Readings

To prepare for your GABC exam, you will want to review some resource materials and other references.

The publications on the Resource Reading List, or books of similar content, are all widely available and provide information on current, commonly accepted audiology practice. These references have been identified as being the most comprehensive and most closely related to information covered on the examination.

It is not intended that each candidate read every publication on the resource list. The list is provided as a guide, and the books and articles listed are used by item writers and reviewers during item development for this examination. However, reading any or all of the publications on this list, cover to cover, does not guarantee you will do well on the exam.

Although each exam item is drawn from facts that can be substantiated by professional texts, the exam is not an assessment of your knowledge of literature. Additionally, there is no single reference, or small group of references, that are associated with most of the questions on any given exam form.

The references listed below are intended as study aids only and may prove helpful in the review of the subject matter areas included on the GABC examination. The ABA does not intend the list to be exhaustive or to imply endorsement of these specific references, nor are the examination questions necessarily taken from these sources.

Exam Schedule

Find upcoming testing dates and deadlines for applications and registrations on the ABA homepage. If you need to request testing accommodations, learn more here.

Schedule Your Remote-Proctored Exam

Within five days of your exam registration, you will receive an account activation email from Prolydian (support@prolydian.com) with a link to activate your Prolydian account. You will also receive a confirmation email from Prolydian with instructions on how to schedule your exam. Once you’ve scheduled your exam, Prolydian will send a confirmation e-mail with the link to the testing platform that you will use to take your exam at the time you scheduled. You will also receive a ‘System Check Required’ email from Proctor360 on the same day – see below for how to respond. DO NOT DELETE THIS CONFIRMATION E-MAIL FROM PROLYDIAN UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR EXAM.

Preparation for Your Live Remote-Proctored Exam

Be sure that the computer and the location where you intend to take the examination meet the requirements specified in your confirmation e-mail BEFORE examination day by responding to the a "System Check Required" email from Proctor360. If they do not meet the requirements, you will not be able to complete the test and you will not receive a refund. If you complete the system check ahead of time and use the same device on exam day, you will not need to repeat those steps, resulting in a quicker check-in process. If you do not complete the check ahead of time or use a different device for the exam, you will be prompted to do so on exam day.

Technical Requirements

Browser: Updated version of Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox with popup blocker disabled.
A working built-in or external webcam and microphone
Desktop computer or laptop (tablets, Chromebook and cell phones do not meet the proctoring requirements)
Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not recommended

Testing Environment Requirements

A suitable environment is a room that is enclosed - e.g., an office, a bedroom, or any other room with four walls that contains a door or other barrier to prevent entry. Windows are allowed, however, they need to be closed and covered. A candidate can close blinds, and shades, or cover the window with a sheet, towel, or other material.
The room must be free of clutter and contain no accessible devices, books, notes, or other materials that could potentially allow a candidate to cheat.
The desk or workspace the individual uses must be free of any devices, books, notes, or other materials that could potentially allow a candidate to cheat.
Your laptop/computer must be connected to a power source for the duration of the exam.
You are only allowed to have one (1) monitor running during the exam. Any secondary monitors must be unplugged and facing away from you.
You will be required to use a mirror or reflective surface to show the proctor your monitor. This can include a phone with a front facing camera. (Please note: You will not be permitted to access your cell phone or any other mobile device/tablet after this process has been completed.)

Internet Speed

PRIOR TO THE EXAM: Please run an internet speed test at speedtest.net while connected with the proctor prior to starting the exam. We recommend that candidates have at least a 5MBPS upload and download speed. If the internet upload OR download speed is below 2MBPS, the exam will not proceed and you will need to reschedule your exam and possibly pay a reschedule fee. If the internet upload OR download speeds are between 2MBPS and 5MBPS, you may take the exam at your own risk.

However, if the internet connection is lost during the exam and the proctor cannot see the student, the exam will stop, and you will need to reschedule your exam and possibly pay a reschedule fee.

On Exam Day

The launch exam button in Prolydian will be enabled 10 minutes before your scheduled exam time so you can begin the check-in process a bit early. The proctor will arrive at or just before the scheduled exam time, and the check-in window extends 15 minutes past the scheduled exam time. If you did not complete your system check on your current device ahead of time, you will be prompted to do so before you can begin your exam.

The proctor will:

Confirm candidate identification (see Identification Requirements below)
Direct the candidate to pan the examination room
Release the exam for the candidate to start testing

Identification Requirements

Candidates must provide one form of identification, which must match your name as it appears in your exam registration, The ID must be a current legal identification bearing your photograph and signature. You will need to show both sides of your ID to the remote proctor to gain access to the exam. Candidates will not be permitted to test without proper identification and all fees will be forfeited.

Legal identification includes the following:

Driver’s license, government identity card, passport, or military identification
Credit cards, employment badges, student ID cards or club membership cards are NOT acceptable for legal identification

Exam Time Limit

A maximum of four (4.0) hours is allocated for candidates to take the beta exam. The exam will be given only during the time on the date that you scheduled as indicated in your test appointment confirmation e-mail.

Exam Security

To provide a fair and consistent environment for all candidates, exams are delivered using standardized procedures following strict security protocols. Candidates are required to follow all testing rules at all times. Failure to follow these rules may result in termination of a candidate’s testing session, invalidation of the candidate’s exam score and/or disciplinary action.

These rules will be enforced by the remote proctor on exam day:

Webcam, speakers, and microphone must remain on throughout the exam
You are permitted a beverage in a clear, spill-proof container. No food is permitted unless a request for test accommodations has been approved.
No calculators will be allowed.
No watches, cell phones, pagers, headphones, or other electronic devices are allowed. A countdown clock is visible on your screen during your exam.
No dual monitors are allowed.
No resources, notes, books, or references of any type are allowed.
Exam room lighting should be adequate for the proctor to view the candidate and surrounding area.
You must remain in view of the proctor at all times during the exam.
You must remain in your seat for the duration of the exam and no breaks are allowed.
No talking during the exam, unless you need to ask questions to the proctor
Reading out loud or any attempts to capture exam content (e.g., taking photos, copying questions, etc.) are prohibited.
Attempts to remotely control the computer, resize browsers, or print the screen are prohibited. No other individuals are permitted in the testing location with the candidate.
Be sure to answer each question on the exam, even the ones for which you are uncertain. Avoid leaving any questions unanswered. There is no penalty for guessing.
You will be asked to complete a Candidate Comment Form at the conclusion of the test, where you may comment on any question on the exam. Comments will be reviewed, but individual responses to questions and comments cannot be provided.

The only materials candidates should have within reach as they check in are their (i) ID and (ii) phone or mirror (to show their monitor). These will be placed out of reach once the check-in process is over. A beverage as described above may be kept on the desk.

Candidates will be observed at all times while they are taking the PASC examination. This observation will include direct observation by proctors or camera monitors. Proctors may not necessarily inform you of their observations, but they are required to report behavior that may violate the terms and regulations of the ABA or other forms of irregular behavior.

Any cheating and/or breach of confidentiality/security or any attempt to subvert the examination process by any candidate violates the purpose and principles of the examination. Any candidate, who carries out, takes part in, or who witnesses such behavior must report it to the proctor and/or the ABA as soon as possible.

A candidate agrees to abide by all regulations, as well as oral and written instructions controlling the conduct of the examination. These regulations are intended to preserve the integrity of the examination process by providing standard test administration conditions that yield valid and reliable results.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Examinees that violate security will not have their exams processed. On exam day, examinees will receive an electronic Non-Disclosure Agreement. Candidates will not be able to begin the examination without reading and agreeing to this statement:

As a candidate for the General Audiology Board Certification Exam

I understand that the General Audiology Board Certification (GABC) Exam is a confidential and secure exam.
I will not discuss the content of the exam with anyone during or after the administration.
The exam is confidential. It is made available to me, the examinee, solely for the purpose of becoming certified in General Audiology.
I am expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting the exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose.
I understand that if I provide false information or if I violate any of the GABC exam rules or procedures, the Test Administrator may immediately dismiss me from the test session.
I understand a breach of this agreement could result in disciplinary action.

Exam Results

The ABA reports its exam scores as a PASS or FAIL. All candidates who FAIL the exam will then also be provided a breakdown, by content area, of his/her exam performance.

The ABA uses a “criterion-referenced” exam model. As such, they may be different from “norm-referenced” exams that are typical of other exams you may have taken.

“Norm-referenced” exams are those that are graded “on a curve.” This means the candidate's performance is evaluated in relation to others taking the exam. This is not the case with the GABC exam. The ABA does not pre-determine the number of candidates to pass an exam.

You will receive your score report within twelve (12) weeks of your exam date. The score report will be emailed to the address you provided when you signed in to take your exam.

ABA policy prohibits the release of candidate results over the phone. If more than twelve (12) weeks have passed since you took your exam and you have not received your results, please contact ABA so that a duplicate score report can be sent to you.

If you have been successful on an exam, you will receive your official certification letter along with a certificate suitable for framing. If you were not successful, you will receive further instruction as to your options for retaking the exam.

Exam Information

General Audiology Board Certification®

General Audiology Board Certification (GABC)®