Step 5: Take a Performance Assessment
What is a Performance Assessment?
Performance Assessments are TESTS that are:
- - SHORTER in length (60 questions that are structured just like the Practice questions in the SAP)
- - FOCUSED on only 20% of the ABIM blueprint each year.
- - OPEN BOOK
- - TIMED – you will have ~2 hours to complete the test and you must complete it in one sitting.
- - ONLINE – you may take a performance assessment in your home or office
- - Available during specific weeks each year. Because the CMP for 2020 has been extended into 2021, Performance Assessments will be spread across the two years:
ACCSAP will feature a total of three Performance Assessments during 2020 / 2021, and you may participate in any two of them. Please keep in mind that if you want two chances to pass, you must participate in either the first or second Performance Assessment. If you miss or skip them both, then you will only have one opportunity to pass with the third Performance Assessment. The exact dates are:
- - December 2 – 8, 2020
- - May 5 – 11, 2021
- - August 11 – 17, 2021
CathSAP and EP SAP will offer two Performance Assessments each: one in 2020 and one in 2021. You may take a Performance Assessment once during each offering and the exact dates are:
- - November 4 – 10, 2020
- - June 23 – 29, 2021
HF SAP will offer two Performance Assessments in 2021. You may take a Performance Assessment once during each offering and the exact dates are:
- - February 17 – 23, 2021
- - June 23 – 29, 2021
How do I take a Performance Assessment?
To take a Performance Assessment, you must have:
- - CHROME, FIREFOX, OR SAFARI on your laptop/desktop. (ACC recommends that you avoid using Internet Explorer)
- - A PRIVATE SPACE THAT IS FREE FROM DISRUPTIONS FOR THE 2 HOURS allotted for the assessment.
- - RELIABLE INTERNET access.
- - A DESKTOP OR LAPTOP. You may not use a mobile phone to complete a Performance Assessment.
When can I take a Performance Assessment?
Performance Assessments are offered during specific one-week windows each year. During each one-week window, you may take the Performance Assessment ONCE at your convenience any time of day or night. You do not need to schedule a specific time. Please avoid waiting until the last two hours of the one-week window to take your Performance Assessment so there is time to resolve any unforeseen issues that may occur.
Because the CMP for 2020 has been extended into 2021, Performance Assessments will be spread across the two years.
- ACCSAP will feature a total of three Performance Assessments during 2020 / 2021, and you may participate in any two of them. Please keep in mind that if you want two chances to pass, you must participate in either the first or second Performance Assessment. If you miss or skip them both, then you will only have one opportunity to pass with the third Performance Assessment.
- CathSAP and EP SAP will offer two Performance Assessments each: one in 2020 and one in 2021. You may take a Performance Assessment once during each offering.
- HF SAP will offer two Performance Assessments, both of which will occur in 2021. You may take a Performance Assessment once during each offering.
Do I have to PASS the Performance Assessment?
That depends on which CMP you are participating in. You must pass for CMP SAPs in a "regular" year in 2020/2021 (ACCSAP). You do not have to pass CMP SAPs that are"no consequences" in 2020/2021; as long as you fully participate in the CMP, including taking the performance assessment, you will be considered as meeting your assessment requirement:
"No consequences" doesn't mean you can skip the assessment. If you skip it, and your certification expires in 2020 or 2021, your status will change to Not Certified.
"No Consequences" doesn’t mean you can treat the assessment flippantly if your certificate is due in 2020 / 2021. If you answer every question with "A" and finish in 5 minutes, for example, your attempt will not count. Similarly, if you answer only a small percentage of the 60 questions, your attempt will not count. Please make a sincere attempt to answer the questions. Examinees exhibiting atypical test behavior will not be considered as meeting their assessment requirement.
IN 2022 AND BEYOND, YOU MUST MEET THE ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENT AND PASS the Performance Assessment every year to be considered as meeting your ABIM assessment requirement. You will have 2 chances to pass each year. Please note that if you want two chances to pass, you must participate in the first Performance Assessment; if you miss it or skip it, then you will only have one attempt to pass with the second Performance Assessment.
How do I know if I pass the CMP?
After you complete a Performance Assessment, you will gain immediate access to a Preliminary Score Report that includes your preliminary scaled score and the average score of a reference group of "pilot" participants who took the Performance Assessment earlier in the year. Within 30 days, you will gain access to a Final Score Report that includes your final scaled score, as well as the passing score.
What happens if I don't pass the CMP Performance Assessment and I'm due for my assessment requirement in 2020?
That depends on which CMP you are participating in:
- ACCSAP / Cardiovascular Disease CMP: If you do not pass a CMP Performance Assessment in 2020/2021, you will need to pass an ABIM assessment in the following year to remain certified. After passing one of ABIM's alternatives, you can then return to ACC's CMP.
- All Other CMPs (IV, EP, HF): If you don't pass in 2020/2021, you will still be counted as meeting your assessment requirement because 2020/2021 is "no consequences". Starting in 2022, you must pass the CMP Performance Assessment every year to be considered as meeting your assessment requirement. But remember, you have two chances to pass each year —once with each Performance Assessment window.
Can I take the Performance Assessment as many times as I want during the administration windows?
No, you may take a Performance Assessment once during each administration window.