You've got two years of basic science behind you, a stack of old notes, and a Part I date on the calendar. And you have no idea where to start.

Most chiropractic students study for Part I the same way they studied for class exams: reread everything, highlight harder, cram the week before. Then they sit down on test day and realize the NBCE doesn't ask questions the way their professors did.

This guide fixes that. You'll get the exact exam format, the mistakes that sink smart students, and a 10-week plan you can start today, built around how Part I actually tests, not how your notes happen to be organized.

We're Dr. Nicole and Dr. Rachel, founders of Chiro AlignEd Learning. We built our board review courses because we sat for these exams ourselves and were frustrated by outdated prep. Everything below is what we wish someone had handed us.

What's on NBCE Part I?

NBCE Part I is a computer-based basic science exam with 255 questions across six domains, split into two sessions. You need a scaled score of at least 375 to pass.

That's roughly 48 seconds per question. Part I rewards fast, confident recall and pattern recognition, not slow reasoning from first principles. Your study plan should train exactly that.

Source: NBCE Part I exam page. Check it before you register, since fees and details can change.

4 Mistakes That Sink Smart Students on Part I

Most students who struggle on Part I don't lack knowledge. They studied the wrong way.

1. Studying everything equally. Not every topic shows up at the same rate. Spending a week on an obscure enzyme pathway while skimming brachial plexus lesions is a losing trade.

2. Rereading instead of retrieving. Rereading notes feels productive but builds recognition, not recall. Test day demands recall.

3. Saving practice questions for the end. If your first full-length practice exam is the week before boards, you've lost your best diagnostic tool.

4. Ignoring stamina. 255 questions in one sitting is a mental marathon. Students who never practice at full length tend to fade in Session 2, which is where Chemistry, Pathology and Microbiology live.

The fix for all four is the same: study the way the exam tests.

Your 10-Week NBCE Part I Study Plan

This plan assumes about 15 to 20 hours a week alongside classes. Got less time? Stretch it to 12 weeks. More time? Compress it to 8.

Two rules make this plan work:

• Mix in old material every day. Spend 20 minutes reviewing earlier weeks so Anatomy doesn't fade by the time you hit Microbiology.

• Weight your hours by weakness. Your Week 1 baseline decides where extra time goes, not the order of your textbook.

How to Use Practice Questions the Right Way

Practice questions are where the score gets made, but only if you review them properly. Doing 1,000 questions without reviewing them is just 1,000 guesses.

For every question you miss, or get right by guessing, ask three things:

1. Why is the right answer right? Say it in one sentence.

2. Why did the wrong answer look right? This shows you the trap the exam keeps setting.

3. What's the pattern? Write it down. You'll see it again.

Keep a running "miss log" by domain. By Week 8, it becomes your personal high-yield review sheet, built from your exact gaps.

The NBCE also sells official sample tests ($15 per domain or $60 for all six). They give you an overall score but don't show which questions you missed, so treat them as a readiness check, not a study tool.

NBCE Test-Week Checklist

The last seven days are about protecting what you know, not cramming new material.

• ☐ Finish your last full-length practice exam at least 5 days out

• ☐ Review only your miss log and high-yield summaries

• ☐ Confirm your test site, appointment time and ID requirements

• ☐ Plan your 15-minute break: water, a snack, a quick reset before Session 2

• ☐ Sleep 7–8 hours the two nights before the exam

• ☐ Stop studying by early evening the night before

NBCE Part I FAQs

How long should I study for NBCE Part I? Most students do well with 8 to 12 weeks of structured study. The right length depends on your baseline score and how many hours a week you can commit alongside classes.

What is the passing score for NBCE Part I? A scaled score of 375 or higher. Scores are equated across exam forms, so 375 doesn't mean a set percentage of questions correct.

What subjects are on NBCE Part I? Six domains: General Anatomy, Spinal Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Pathology and Microbiology.

How many questions are on NBCE Part I? 255 questions over 3 hours and 26 minutes of testing time, split into two sessions.

When can I take NBCE Part I? Students at an eligible chiropractic college can take Part I in their second year.

Is a board review course worth it for Part I? If you're short on time or don't know what's high-yield, a structured review saves you from studying the wrong things. That's the main value: a faster path to the same passing score.

Want the Shortcut? Here's How to Skip the Guesswork

You now have the plan. You can absolutely run it on your own.

The hard part isn't knowing what to do. It's finding the high-yield content, building quality practice questions, and staying consistent for 10 weeks while you're still in class.

That's exactly what the Chiro AlignEd Learning Part I Review Course does for you:

• Content organized around how the NBCE tests, so exam questions feel familiar instead of overwhelming

• Searchable videos and digital study materials, so you jump straight to what you need

• Built-in quizzes and full-length practice exams to train timing and stamina

• 90 days of access on any device, starting the moment you enroll

• Our Access Until You Pass™ Guarantee: if you don't pass, we renew your 90 days at no cost when you meet our Exam Readiness Standards

"What stood out most was how familiar the exam felt." — Hillary W., Part I Review student

For $499, less than the cost of a retake, you get the whole plan already built.

Start the Part I Review Course →

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