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About the CBIC Infection Control Certification Exam

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References

  • The Certification Board of Infection Control & Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) Candidate Handbook.

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Objectives

  • The participant will be able to list the components of the CBIC EXAM

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How did it start?

    • Once named APIC Certification Association
    • Name changed to CBIC in 1981
    • Testing began in 1983 with a 250 question exam
    • CBIC has an international following and are multidisciplinary
    • Board liaisons from APIC and CHICA-Canada

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Topics

  • Identification of Infectious Disease Processes (22 Questions)
  • Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation (22 Questions)
  • Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents (22 Questions)
  • Employee/Occupational Health (11 Questions)
  • Management and Communication (14 Questions)
  • Education and Research (12 Questions)
  • Environment of Care (14 Questions)
  • Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis (18 Questions)

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The Computer Based Test

  • 150 multiple choice questions 135 are graded
  • Content determined by practice analysis surveys
  • All items include: stem and options
  • Most questions have 4 options
  • Some questions are multiple/multiple choice
  • Items divided into 3 skill levels
    • Level I- basic recall
    • Level II- application
    • Level III- analysis level

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The test

  • All items have only ONE correct answer.
  • Guess if you do not know the answer
  • Scores are weighted according to difficulty
  • Accuracy evaluated by Prometric

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Types of exam takers

  • Rusher- High risk for misreading, misinterpreting, and mistaking due to focus on just getting through the test!

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  • Turtle-suffers from a lack of time and inability to complete all the items rather than a lack of knowledge or poor preparation.

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  • Personalizer- gives answers relying upon what one has learned from observation and experience only.

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  • Philosopher-answers questions with own additional information instead of the intent of the original question was written.

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  • Second guesser-observes that I had it right, but then I changed it!

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  • Squisher-Emphasis in planning avoidance of the exam vs. preparing the actual test.

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Preparing for the exam

  • Set the date for the exam
  • Concentrate on learning not memorizing
  • Know the content
  • Allow plenty of study time

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Day of the exam

  • Identify key words
  • Recognize item types
  • Read directions carefully and thoroughly
  • Think positively

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The computer exam

  • Administered at over 170 Prometric offices
  • Once acceptance of the application is complete it is good for 90 days
  • You must schedule your appt within that 90 days

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Exam rules

  • Be on time
  • Can only reschedule once
  • Must have 2 forms of ID
  • 3 hours allotted for the exam
  • No books, papers or reference material allowed
  • No eating, drinking or smoking
  • No electronic devices allowed
  • No visitors

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Questions?