ABIM pass rates: Internal Medicine and subspecialties
ABIM’s own figures show 87% of first-time takers passed the Internal Medicine Certification Exam in 2024 (10,533 candidates) and in 2023, and 98% eventually pass. Reports of ABIM’s 2025 data put the first-time rate at 86%. ABIM sets the passing standard in advance, so there’s no fixed share who fail.
2020-2024 figures and the ultimate pass rate from ABIM’s First-Time Taker Pass Rates report (PDF). 2025 figures as reported by BoardVitals and The Pass Machine; ABIM’s PDF we found runs to 2024. Checked October 12, 2026.
Internal Medicine, first-time takers
| Year | First-time takers | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9,019 | 93% |
| 2021 | 9,506 | 88% |
| 2022 | 9,868 | 87% |
| 2023 | 10,003 | 87% |
| 2024 | 10,533 | 87% |
| 2025 (reported) | 10,743 | 86% |
2020-2024 from ABIM’s report; 2025 as reported.
Selected subspecialties, 2025 (reported)
| Exam | 2025 first-time pass rate |
|---|---|
| Medical Oncology | 90% |
| Pulmonary Disease | 93% |
| Nephrology | 83% |
| Sleep Medicine | 83% |
As reported from ABIM’s 2025 data; check ABIM’s report.
How passing works
- Criterion-referenced: ABIM sets the passing standard before the exam, so everyone who meets it passes.
- Unanswered questions count as wrong, per ABIM, so answer every question.
- Results come within three months of the last exam date, in your ABIM Physician Portal; a rescore costs $250.
Official source & community discussion
ABIM: exam pass rates (official) →
See related questions on Quora →