What Part I covers
Part I is a computer-based test of the basic sciences: 255 questions across six domains, split into two sessions. The NBCE's test plan weights the domains like this:
| Session | Domain | Share of exam |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | General Anatomy | 20% |
| Spinal Anatomy | 22% | |
| Physiology | 18% | |
| Session 2 | Chemistry | 13% |
| Pathology | 16% | |
| Microbiology | 11% |
Spinal Anatomy is the single biggest domain, and the two anatomy domains together are over 40% of the exam. If your study time is short, that is where it goes first.
Format, timing, and scoring
- Testing time: 3 hours 26 minutes of actual testing, inside a roughly 4-hour appointment that includes a tutorial, a survey, and an optional 15-minute break.
- Scoring: scaled from 125 to 800. The passing score is 375. The NBCE weights items by difficulty, so it isn't a simple percent-correct.
- Results: about four weeks after the exam window.
- Fee: $710 (NBCE fee schedule).
When to take it
You're eligible for Part I in your second year at an eligible chiropractic college, with your registrar's approval. In 2026 the NBCE runs Part I in ten computer-based windows from January through November. Scheduling closes 17 days before your test date, and changes get more expensive the closer you get: free 30+ days out, $50 at 18–29 days, and no changes inside 17 days.
How to practice for Part I
Knowing the material and performing on a timed, six-domain computer exam are two different skills. The students who struggle usually knew more than their score shows. They ran out of time, second-guessed themselves, or hit a domain they hadn't reviewed in months.
- Test by domain, not just by chapter. Take a full practice test in each of the six domains early, so you see where you actually stand rather than where you feel you stand.
- Read the item analysis. A missed question is only useful if you learn why the right answer is right. Review every miss and every lucky guess.
- Retest the weak domains. Go back to the same domain after a round of study and see if the score moves.
- Rehearse the clock. Sit at a desk, on a computer, timed, with no phone. The software feel matters more than people expect.
That's how ChiroEDU's Part 1 course is built: an exam for each domain, four attempts at every domain, 24 total 50-question tests, and a detailed item analysis after each one. For daily reps between exams, ChiroQuiz covers the Part 1 domains with instant explanations.
After Part I
Part I is also a prerequisite for Part III and Part IV. See the full NBCE exam sequence, or move on to the Part II guide.
Sources: NBCE Part I · Part I Test Plan · Fee Schedule · Understanding Scores · Deadlines. Checked September 2026; confirm dates and fees with the NBCE before you register.