HemeOncBuddy · Board prep · LKA
LKA PrepABIM LKA prep for hematology and medical oncology
How the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment works, the focused Medical Oncology LKAs and how to prepare.The Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) is ABIM's alternative to the 10-year Maintenance of Certification exam. Here is how it works in Hematology and Medical Oncology, what changed with the focused Medical Oncology LKAs, and how to practice with the free 2,182-question heme/onc Qbank.
How the LKA works
- 600 questions per 5-year cycle, released quarterly; ABIM asks you to answer at least 500.
- Up to 5 minutes per question, with a time bank for questions that need longer.
- Open resources: anything you would use in practice, on any internet-connected device, but not another person.
- Immediate feedback with a rationale and references after every question, and progress reports from year two.
- Pass or fail at the end of the cycle. Each correct answer also earns 0.2 MOC points.
Source: ABIM: LKA, how it works. Confirm the current rules in your ABIM Physician Portal.
Focused Medical Oncology LKAs: breast cancer and hematologic neoplasms
Since July 2026 ABIM has offered two focused Medical Oncology LKAs, one with a breast cancer focus and one with a hematologic neoplasms focus, for oncologists whose practice centers on one area. Certification stays in Medical Oncology. ABIM said physicians in the general Medical Oncology LKA could switch in the launch year, until November 15, 2026, with no penalty and without restarting their cycle.
- Breast focus: start with the breast cancer trial summaries and the Breast block in the Qbank (2,182 questions in all).
- Hematologic neoplasms focus: the leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and MPN trials, plus the matching Qbank subjects.
Source: ABIM blog: focused Medical Oncology LKAs.
How to prepare for LKA questions
- Practice the format. Tutor mode in the Qbank works like the LKA: one question at a time, explanation and references right after you answer. Leave the timer off, or use Timed if you want to stay well inside 5 minutes.
- Set up your references before you start. Keep the trial summaries and treatment algorithms open in a tab. Each trial summary gives design, results, toxicity and practice impact in the same order, so you can check a number fast.
- Spread questions across the quarter. Answer a few questions each week instead of all at the deadline; questions you miss come back under Due for review in the Qbank.
- Follow your weak areas. ABIM's feedback shows where you missed questions; read the matching board review note and do a short tutor block on that subject.
LKA frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the ABIM LKA?
ABIM offers 600 questions over each 5-year LKA cycle, released quarterly, and asks you to answer at least 500 of them. You have up to 5 minutes per question, with a time bank if you need more.
Can I use resources during the LKA?
Yes. ABIM lets you use any resources you would use in practice, on any internet-connected device, except another person. Trial summaries and treatment algorithms on HemeOncBuddy are free and quick to search while you answer.
What are the focused Medical Oncology LKAs?
Since July 2026 ABIM has offered two focused versions of the Medical Oncology LKA: one with a breast cancer focus and one with a hematologic neoplasms focus. Your certification stays in Medical Oncology. ABIM says physicians already in the general Medical Oncology LKA could switch without penalty, keeping their 5-year cycle, until November 15, 2026.
How is the LKA scored?
You get immediate feedback with a rationale and references after each question, progress reports from the second year, and a pass or fail decision at the end of the 5-year cycle. Each correct answer also earns 0.2 MOC points.
Is HemeOncBuddy an official LKA resource?
No. HemeOncBuddy is an independent, free study site and is not affiliated with ABIM. Its questions are original and are not LKA questions.
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HemeOncBuddy is an independent, free education project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), ASCO, the American Society of Hematology or any company named on this page. ABIM and Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment are trademarks of the American Board of Internal Medicine; other names are trademarks of their owners. Study aid only; verify exam rules with the organization that runs the exam.