ACC In-Training Exam

NEW! A $250 late fee will be assessed for each examinee registered after the deadline.

About the ACC In-Training Exam

ACC's In-Training Exam (ACC-ITE) is offered annually to provide Cardiovascular Training Programs with:

  • An objective assessment instrument for the medical knowledge competency of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
  • An opportunity for Fellows in Training (FITs) to self-assess, identify knowledge gaps, and practice taking Board certification examinations
  • The opportunity for Program Directors to evaluate their program

Registration

  • Opens in early-July
  • Closes at 11:59 pm ET on September 30

Dates of Exam Administration

  • The 2025 ACC-ITE will take place on Tuesday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 15

Frequently Asked Questions

Click the frequently asked questions below to view the answer.

How is the ACC-ITE developed?
How is the ACC-ITE developed?
The ACC-ITE is written by a committee of 12 expert physician-authors, most of whom are training program directors and Fellows of the ACC. The committee creates the content blueprint for the exam and writes multiple choice questions according to well-established principles of examination construction. The 150 questions are subjected to several rigorous rounds of review and revision.
What is the blueprint for the ACC-ITE?
What is the blueprint for the ACC-ITE?
The blueprint for the ACC-ITE is modeled after the blueprint for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification examination in cardiovascular medicine, and the topics covered are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1: ACC-ITE Blueprint
Medical Content Category % of Exam
Arrhythmias 15%
Coronary Artery Disease 21.5%
Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy 17%
Valvular Disease 15%
Pericardial Disease 4%
Congenital Heart Disease 5%
Vascular Diseases 6%
Systemic Hypertension and Hypotension 7.5%
Pulmonary Circulation Disorders 3%
Systemic Disorders Affecting the Circulatory System 4%
Normal Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology 2%
  100%
What is the purpose of the ACC-ITE?
What is the purpose of the ACC-ITE?
FITs may use the results of the exam to identify areas of deficiency that require further learning and to compare their performance with that of their peers in training programs throughout the country. Program directors may use the results to provide educational counseling, develop curricula and validate the need for planned curricular changes.
Can the ACC-ITE be used for advancement?
Can the ACC-ITE be used for advancement?
The ACC-ITE is neither a qualifying nor a certifying instrument. It should not be used for determining who should be promoted or who should be eligible to take the ABIM certification examination in cardiovascular disease. It is designed only as an assessment tool.
Who should take the ACC-ITE?
Who should take the ACC-ITE?
The exam is designed for first-, second- and third-year cardiology FITs. All FITs are encouraged to participate. Each Training Program Director decides who will take the exam at their institution. The ACC imposes no requirements, and the exam is open to all Training Programs.
Should FITs study for the ACC-ITE?
Should FITs study for the ACC-ITE?
The goal of the ACC-ITE is to gauge progress in training, not to achieve a certain level of performance. Examinees, therefore, are advised not to study for the exam. Studying may result in an inaccurate self-assessment of training experiences and an inability to plan appropriately for correcting deficiencies. For those about to take the ABIM Cardiovascular Certification Exam, the ACC offers a variety of self-assessment products and programs to assist you in improving on those areas where you had deficiencies. Browse the Education and Meetings pages on ACC.org to learn more about our Certified Education products and programs.
When will the ACC-ITE be administered?
When will the ACC-ITE be administered?
In 2025, the ACC-ITE will be administered on October 14 and 15. Each training program should select the date(s) that are most convenient.
Is there a make-up date?
Is there a make-up date?
The Program Coordinator must contact the ACC to discuss the possibility of providing a make-up date.
How much does the exam cost and what is the payment process?
How much does the exam cost and what is the payment process?
The cost per examinee is $465.00. An invoice for the total number of examinees, per institution, will be e-mailed to the Program Coordinator after online registration closes.

The ACC accepts payment by check, credit card, or wire transfer. Instructions for payment options are included on the invoice. The ACC does not accept payment by Purchase Order.

Payment must be received before score reports can be released. Reports will be available approximately 6-8 weeks after the exam. If payment is not received by this time, the ACC reserves the right to withhold score reports and may prohibit your FITs from taking the exam in future years until payment is made.
What do I need to know before I register my FITs?
What do I need to know before I register my FITs?
Please have the following information at hand before registering:
  • The name of each FIT who will be taking the In-Training Exam, including their ACC ID, date of birth, training end date, FIT year, and any ADA accommodations they require (if applicable).
  • A breakdown of which date each FIT will take the exam.
How do I register my FITs?
How do I register my FITs?
When registration opens in July, go to your Training Programs page on ACC.org to register your FITs for the In-Training Exam. Please note that you must add your FITs to your Training Programs page before you can register them for the In-Training Exam. Instructions for adding your FITs to your program and subsequently registering them for the exam are emailed to the Program Coordinator in early July. If you are a new Program Coordinator, please contact ITE@acc.org for assistance accessing your Training Programs page.
What happens if I register after the deadline?
What happens if I register after the deadline?
A $250 late fee will be assessed for each examinee registered after the deadline. Please contact ITE@acc.org for assistance with registration after the deadline.
Are refunds administered?
Are refunds administered?
Unfortunately, refunds are not administered; however, you will be able to remove FITs from your registration until 11:59 pm ET on September 30. If a registered FIT is unable to take the exam but was not removed from your registration prior to the registration deadline, you will be responsible for the registration fee. Please contact ITE@acc.org for assistance with extenuating circumstances.
Where will the ACC-ITE be administered?
Where will the ACC-ITE be administered?
The ACC-ITE is web-based and offered in a proctored setting at institutions that register FITs from their Training Program to take the exam.
What is the role of the exam proctor?
What is the role of the exam proctor?
It is the sole responsibility of the Program Coordinator of the Training Program to serve as the exam proctor unless this responsibility is delegated. The proctor is responsible for administering the exam using the specified requirements (outlined in the Exam Proctoring Guidelines) and is responsible for its security. The proctor is responsible for the overall supervision of examinees and the continuous monitoring of the actions of examinees.
How do I get a copy of the Exam Proctoring Guidelines?
How do I get a copy of the Exam Proctoring Guidelines?
The Exam Proctoring Guidelines are included in the In-Training Exam Hub. Registered institutions will receive a link to the Hub and access instructions 6-8 weeks before the exam.
Are exam proctors required to have a computer in the exam room?
Are exam proctors required to have a computer in the exam room?
Proctors will require a computer in the exam room to access the In-Training Exam Hub, for live chat support, and to submit a Survey and Incident Report.
Will I have technical help to set-up the computers for exam day(s)?
Will I have technical help to set-up the computers for exam day(s)?
Instructions on how to prepare and test computers for the exam are included in the In-Training Exam Hub. Registered institutions will receive a link to the Hub and access instructions 6-8 weeks before the exam. Although the process is simple, it may require assistance from your technical staff.
Will technical assistance be available to me on test day(s)?
Will technical assistance be available to me on test day(s)?
Yes, ACC staff will be available to help with technical difficulties during the exam through live chat support; however, it is recommended that you have access to technical assistance at your institution on exam day(s) to assist.
When are the results of the ACC-ITE made available?
When are the results of the ACC-ITE made available?
Score reports are made available 6-8 weeks after the exam. The Training Program receives the score reports and then distributes the feedback to examinees. The ACC considers the results to be confidential and does not release them to any agency, organization or person other than the Program Director(s), Coordinator(s), or other authorized staff of the Training Program or organization.

Each examinee receives feedback that shows:
  • The individual's total scaled score, percent score and percentile rank for each of the major content areas tested.
  • A separate report that lists the educational objective associated with each of the questions that the examinee responded to incorrectly.
  • A norm table and guidelines for interpreting the data for use in comparing his or her score with the scores of different fellowship year groups.
The program director receives:
  • A score report and report that lists the educational objective associated with questions missed for each FIT.
  • An overall program performance report.
  • Mean percent correct scores and percentile ranks for each of the major content areas tested, grouped by fellowship year for all programs.
  • The norm table with guidelines for interpreting the data.