Each year, the NBCE releases performance data that gives us an inside look at how chiropractic students are actually doing on board exams — not guesses, not anecdotes, but real numbers.

At first glance, the 2024 pass rates might seem reassuring. Many parts show solid overall performance.

But when you look closer, the data tells a much more important story:

Passing boards isn’t just about difficulty — it’s about alignment between how students study and how exams are written.

Let’s break down the 2024 data and what it really means for your board prep.

Understanding the 2024 NBCE Performance Data

Important context from NBCE:

• Domain-level pass rates are reported from January–July 2024

• Part-level pass rates are reported from August–November 2024

• For comparison, Jan–July 2024 part-level pass rates were:

• Part I: 71%

• Part II: 78%

This matters — because it shows how performance improved over the year, not just a static snapshot.

NBCE Part I: Strong Domain Performance, Moderate Overall Pass Rate

Part I Overall

• Number tested (Aug–Nov): 798

• Percent passing: 78%

That’s an improvement from 71% earlier in the year, suggesting better alignment, improved prep strategies, or stronger student readiness later in the year.

Part I Domain-Level Pass Rates (Jan–July)

What this tells us:

• Students generally understand individual subjects well

• No single domain is “failing students”

• Integration and endurance, not content knowledge, are likely what lower the overall Part I pass rate

In other words: Students know the material — but Part I still exposes overwhelm, timing issues, and integration gaps.

NBCE Part II: Clinical Domains Perform Well — Endurance Matters

Part II Overall

• Number tested (Aug–Nov): 625

• Percent passing: 79%

This closely mirrors the earlier 78% pass rate — showing Part II performance is consistent, not volatile.

Part II Domain-Level Pass Rates (Jan–July)

What this tells us:

• Students perform very well on individual clinical domains

• Imaging is not the weakest area (a common myth)

• The challenge of Part II is exam length and decision fatigue, not content difficulty

Part II doesn’t fail students because they lack knowledge —it challenges their ability to stay sharp across a long, integrated exam.

Physiotherapy: High Pass Rate, Often Underestimated

• Number tested: 2,605

• Percent passing: 90%

This confirms what many students experience:

• PT is highly passable

• Mistakes usually come from under-preparation, not difficulty

PT tends to be taken when students are already tired — which is why structured, early prep matters.

NBCE Part III: Where Strategy Matters Most

• Number tested: 2,708

• Percent passing: 82%

This is a strong pass rate — but Part III still causes more anxiety than the numbers suggest.

Why?

Because Part III tests:

• Clinical decision-making

• Prioritization

• Safety logic

• Performance under pressure

Students don’t fail Part III because they “don’t know enough.”

They struggle when they haven’t trained how the NBCE thinks.

NBCE Part IV: High Pass Rate, High Pressure

• Number tested: 2,737

• Percent passing: 90%

This confirms:

• Most students can perform clinically

• But stress, communication, and documentation are the biggest differentiators

Students who struggle here usually say:

• “I froze”

• “I rushed”

• “I knew it, but couldn’t show it clearly”

Part IV rewards practice, repetition, and confidence, not memorization.

The Big Picture: What 2024 Data Really Shows

Across all exams:

• Domain pass rates are consistently high

• Overall exam pass rates drop when:

• Exams are long

• Integration is required

• Pressure increases

• Strategy is unclear

The takeaway: Boards aren’t failing students at random.

They expose how students prepare.

What Successful Students Do Differently (According to the Data)

Students who pass on the first try tend to:

• Focus on high-yield patterns, not exhaustive details

• Practice mixed, timed questions

• Train decision-making, not just recall

• Prepare mentally for endurance and pressure

• Use structured plans instead of “studying harder”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are NBCE pass rates improving or declining?

Overall, NBCE pass rates in 2024 show stable to improving performance, especially for Part I and Part II later in the year. For example, Part I increased from 71% (Jan–July) to 78% (Aug–Nov), suggesting better alignment between preparation and exam expectations.

Why are domain pass rates higher than overall exam pass rates?

Domain-level pass rates are often higher because:

• Students understand individual subjects well

• The challenge comes from integration, timing, and endurance across the full exam

In other words, students usually know the material — but full exams expose fatigue, pressure, and decision-making gaps.

Which NBCE exam is hardest based on pass rates?

Based on 2024 data:

• Part I has the lowest overall pass rate (78%)

• Part III has a strong pass rate (82%) but is often perceived as hardest due to decision-making pressure

• Part IV has a high pass rate (90%) but is stressful due to performance and evaluation

Difficulty is less about content and more about how the exam tests thinking under pressure.

Does a high pass rate mean an exam is easy?

Not necessarily. A high pass rate often means:

• Students are adequately prepared

• The exam tests applied competence, not trick memorization

For example, Part IV has a high pass rate, but many students still find it stressful because it evaluates real-time clinical skills.

Should I change how I study based on pass rate data?

Yes. The data suggests students should:

• Focus on high-yield patterns, not exhaustive memorization

• Practice mixed, timed questions

• Train for exam endurance

• Study in a way that matches how NBCE exams are structured

Pass rates reward alignment, not over-studying.

If domain pass rates are high, why do students still fail?

Students most often fail due to:

• Time mismanagement

• Anxiety and second-guessing

• Difficulty integrating multiple systems

• Not practicing in NBCE-style formats

Failure is usually a strategy issue, not an intelligence issue.

Does using a board review course improve pass rates?

While NBCE does not publish prep-method data, student outcomes consistently show that:

• Structured, high-yield prep

• NBCE-style practice questions

• Clear decision-making frameworks

are associated with higher confidence and first-time pass rates, especially for Parts I and III.

What does this data mean if I’m preparing for boards now?

It means:

• Boards are very passable

• Most students who fail can pass with better alignment

• You don’t need to know everything — you need to know what matters most

The right strategy makes the numbers work for you.

Where can I find official NBCE pass rate data?

NBCE publishes annual performance and pass rate data through official reports and updates provided by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).

What This Means for Your Board Prep

If you’re preparing for boards, the 2024 data suggests:

• You don’t need to know everything

• You do need to know what boards prioritize

• Your study plan should match exam structure, not just content lists

• Confidence and clarity are just as important as knowledge

The numbers are encouraging — but they’re also instructive.

Boards are passable.

Students are capable.

The difference is strategy.

At Chiro Aligned Learning, we build our programs around exactly what this data reveals:

• High-yield focus

• NBCE-style logic

• Realistic exam preparation

• Confidence that carries into test day

Because when you study in alignment with the exam — the data starts working in your favor.

Still stuck on how to study for your chiro board exam?

Check out all of Chiro Aligned Learning’s products, follow us on Instagram for what to expect during your exams or reach out to us with questions via email at [email protected]!