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Written Boards/Qualifying Exam Dates + planning for US OHNS candidates

ABOHNS Written Boards/Qualifying Exam dates (2026)
+ 2027 timeline

Plan your run-in with confidence: official ABOHNS dates for 2026 plus the published Written Exam date for 2027. Keep it simple: train closed-book decision-making, rehearse pacing, and review misses into repeatable rules.

See official dates 2026 blueprint update Build your plan

Source of truth: ABOHNS “Upcoming Exam Dates” and “Our Assessment Programs” pages. OtoPrep is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with ABOHNS.

ABOHNS Written Boards Qualifying Exam dates 2026 and 2027 timeline hero image showing a pace keeper timer dial and checklist cards in OtoPrep colours

ABOHNS exam dates 2026 (official) + 2027 Written Exam date

Dates can change—always confirm on the official ABOHNS site before booking leave/travel.

TIP
Treat the Written Exam as a closed-book performance test: practise full timed sits, then turn every miss into a short “rule” you re-test.
Exam Date(s) What to do now Official source
Written ExamPrimary certification (computer-based, proctored, closed-book) July 9, 2026 12–8 weeks out: daily MCQs + weak-area targeting
8–4 weeks out: timed blocks + weekly full mock
Final month: 2 full timed sits + ruthless review 		ABOHNS Upcoming Exam Dates
Oral ExamPrimary certification (requires passing Written Exam) September 24–27, 2026 If you’re aiming for 2026/27, start early: understand case log expectations and plan your study around real practice decisions. ABOHNS Upcoming Exam Dates
Written Exam (published 2027 date)Primary certification July 15, 2027Oral Exam 2027 dates were not listed on the ABOHNS dates page at the time of writing. Use 2026 patterns for planning only: assume a summer Written Exam window and build a 3–6 month runway if fundamentals need rebuilding. ABOHNS Upcoming Exam Dates
Board-style question bank analytics dashboard illustration with progress ring and trend line for ENT exam prep
The fastest score gains come from tracking repeat errors and drilling them until they stop recurring.
ENT exam prep roadmap illustration showing milestone nodes to a trophy, representing structured revision toward the ABOHNS Written Boards Qualifying Exam
Structure beats motivation: milestones, timed rehearsals, and a consistent review loop.

Important: new Written Exam blueprint is implemented in 2026

If you’re studying for 2026+, align your revision plan to the updated blueprint direction.

NOTE
The 2026 blueprint update includes changes in practice-area weighting, consolidating management into Non-Surgical and Surgical, and introducing subdomains.

What this means for your prep

  • Don’t “overfit” one area—aim for breadth, then sharpen weak domains.
  • Practise management questions as decisions: choose the best next step under constraints.
  • Build a running error-log: diagnosis traps + investigation choices + management pivots.

Where to verify blueprint details

ABOHNS provides a blueprint update announcement and access to the new blueprint via their Physician Portal.

ABOHNS blueprint announcement

How to plan your Written Boards/Qualifying Exam revision

A practical runway you can execute on a real rota.

TIP
Closed-book rule: if you look things up mid-block, you’re training a different skill than the exam tests.

24–16 weeks out

  • Daily MCQs (short blocks on-call, longer blocks post-call).
  • Build an “error log” (one-line rules, not essays).
  • Cover breadth first, then tighten weak areas.

12–8 weeks out

  • Add timed blocks 3–5×/week (10–25 questions).
  • 1 full timed mock weekly (no pausing).
  • Re-test incorrects at 48–72 hours.

6–2 weeks out

  • 2 full timed mocks per week.
  • Hard focus on repeat misses + classic traps.
  • Practice “best next step” decisiveness.

Final 10 days

  • Mixed timed sets + light review.
  • Read your rules list daily (fast recall).
  • Protect sleep; keep your pace steady.

Want a structured run-in to July?

Use board-style mock papers to rehearse pacing + decision-making, and a targeted question bank to fix weak domains between sits.

Explore ABOHNS Written Boards/Qualifying Exam prep Start the ABOHNS free trial Check official exam dates

Disclaimer: OtoPrep is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with ABOHNS. Dates can change—always confirm on the official ABOHNS site.

FAQs (fast answers)

Short answers designed for featured snippets.

Where should I verify official ABOHNS exam dates?

Use the official ABOHNS “Upcoming Exam Dates” page for the current Written Exam and Oral Exam schedule.

What is the Written Exam like?

ABOHNS describes the Written Exam as computer-based, proctored, and closed-book, designed to assess depth and breadth across otolaryngology–head & neck surgery.

Do I need to pass both exams for board certification?

Yes. ABOHNS states primary certification requires passing both the Written Exam and the Oral Exam.

What changed in the 2026 Written Exam blueprint?

ABOHNS announced a new Written Exam blueprint implemented in 2026, including changes to practice-area weighting, consolidating management into Non-Surgical and Surgical, and adding subdomains.

What’s new about the Oral Exam format?

ABOHNS indicates that beginning with the September 2025 Oral Exam, candidates are examined on cases from their practice and a 9-month case collection log plus peer review are required for application/eligibility.