If you need help studying for the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free ASBOG practice test!
Exam Eligibility
The eligibility requirements for the exam vary from state to state, so you’ll need to contact your state board to learn more.
What’s on the Exam?
The ASBOG exam is split into two tests, the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and the Practice of Geology (PG), and you’ll have to pass both tests to pass the full exam.
While each test covers the same eight topics, they contain a different number of questions. The FG test contains 140 multiple-choice questions, while the PG test contains 110 questions.
Each test is timed at 4 hours, so the full time limit for the exam is 8 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks within each test, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed!
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
1. General and Field Geology
FG 17% of the test PG 17% of the test
- Planning and conducting geological investigations
- Compiling and organizing available information to plan geological investigations
- Collecting and recording new geological and geophysical data
- Determining positions and scales from remote sensing, maps, sections, imagery, and surveys
- Preparing and interpreting logs, maps, sections, and other graphics
2. Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry
FG 12% of the test PG 5% of the test
- Conducting geochemical, mineralogic, and petrologic investigations
- Identifying minerals and rocks
- Identifying rock and mineral sequences and associations
- Evaluating isotopic and geochemical data
- Type, degree, and effects of rock and mineral alteration
3. Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology
FG 12% of the test PG 5% of the test
- Conducting paleontologic, sedimentologic, or stratigraphic investigations
- Applying appropriate stratigraphic nomenclature
- Identifying sedimentary processes and structures
- Identifying sediment sequences, ages, and positions
- Identifying fossils
- Interpreting fossil assemblages for age
4. Geomorphology, Surficial Processes, and Quaternary Geology
FG 14% of the test PG 8% of the test
- Conducting geomorphic investigations
- Classifying and interpreting landforms and surficial materials
- Determining absolute or relative age relationships of landforms, soils, and sediments
- Evaluating geomorphic processes
- Applying remote sensing and GIS techniques
5. Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology
FG 12% of the test PG 9% of the test
- Conducting structural, seismic, or tectonic investigations
- Defining structural features and relationships to construct and interpret cross sections
- Interpreting deformational history through tectonic and structural analyses
- Applying tectonic models to identify geologic processes
- Evaluating earthquake mechanisms and paleoseismic history
6. Hydrogeology
FG 13% of the test PG 22% of the test
- Planning and conducting hydrogeological, contaminant, and geochemical investigations
- Characterizing hydraulic properties of vadose and saturated zones
- Designing groundwater monitoring, injection, production, observation, or production wells
- Evaluating water resources
- Characterizing soil and water quality
- Managing, developing, or remediating surface water/groundwater resources
7. Engineering Geology
FG 12% of the test PG 18% of the test
- Conducting engineering geological investigations
- Characterizing physical and index properties of earth materials
- Providing recommendations for engineering design
- Interpreting land use, landforms, and geological site characteristics
- Developing plans and recommendations for ground behavior during infrastructure development or hazard mitigation
8. Economic Geology and Energy Resources
FG 9% of the test PG 16% of the test
- Conducting resources exploration, reclamation, and evaluation programs
- Collecting necessary data to locate mineral or energy resources
- Performing economic evaluation and reserve assessment
- Calculating quantity and quality of resources
- Conducting geological studies for design, waste management, closure, abandonment, and reclamation and restoration of energy development operations
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application for the FG test to your state board. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things). When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the application fee, which varies from state to state.
Once you’re approved for the FG test, you’ll need to register for the test and pay the $200 testing fee and the $75 proctoring fee.
After you pass the FG test, you can apply for the PG test. Once approved, you’ll need to register for the test and pay the $250 testing fee (and another $75 proctoring fee).
ASBOG Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 70 on each test to pass the full exam.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! Contact your state board to see what their rules are about retaking the test.
FAQs
How many questions are on the ASBOG exam?
The exam contains 250 questions total.
What is the time limit for the ASBOG exam?
Each test is timed at 4 hours, so the total time limit is 8 hours.
What is the passing score for the ASBOG exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 70 to pass.
How much does the ASBOG exam cost?
The application fee varies from state to state, but the exam fee is $200 for the FG test, $250 for the PG test, and an additional $75 proctoring fee for each test.