ASBOG FG Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The ASBOG candidate handbook (updated January 2024) describes the FG exam as 140 multiple-choice questions with four options in four hours, and the portal mock uses the same 140 questions and 240 minutes. ASBOG reports results as a scaled score on a 0 to 100 scale; 70 is the minimum competency standard, the score is criterion-referenced rather than a fixed percent correct, and wrong or blank answers earn no points with no guessing penalty. The FG blueprint from the 2023 Task Analysis Survey lists eight domains with these weights: General Geology and Geological Investigations 17 percent, Hydrogeology 13, Geomorphology and Surficial Processes 14, Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry 12, Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology 12, Engineering Geology 12, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology 11 and Mineral and Energy Resources 9.

The FG exam is the first of the two ASBOG examinations used by state boards in the path to professional geologist licensure; the second exam is the Practice of Geology exam, which this portal does not cover.

Geology graduates and early-career geoscientists preparing for the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam for a state geology license.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

ASBOG does not state a retake rule on its registration page; retake and reapplication rules are set by each state board, so confirm them with your state geology licensing board and the current ASBOG candidate handbook.

ASBOG sets the minimum competency standard at a scaled score of 70 on a 0 to 100 scale. The score is criterion-referenced, so there is no fixed number of correct answers, and the portal mock shows a percent score only as a rough self-check. Format: 140 multiple-choice questions in four hours; the portal mock has 140 questions in 240 minutes, the same size and pace. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The ASBOG candidate handbook (updated January 2024) describes the FG exam as 140 multiple-choice questions with four options in four hours, and the portal mock uses the same 140 questions and 240 minutes. ASBOG reports results as a scaled score on a 0 to 100 scale; 70 is the minimum competency standard, the score is criterion-referenced rather than a fixed percent correct, and wrong or blank answers earn no points with no guessing penalty. The FG blueprint from the 2023 Task Analysis Survey lists eight domains with these weights: General Geology and Geological Investigations 17 percent, Hydrogeology 13, Geomorphology and Surficial Processes 14, Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry 12, Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology 12, Engineering Geology 12, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology 11 and Mineral and Energy Resources 9. 140 multiple-choice questions · four hours · scaled score, 70 is the minimum competency standard · Prometric test centers. ASBOG sets the minimum competency standard at a scaled score of 70 on a 0 to 100 scale. The score is criterion-referenced, so there is no fixed number of correct answers, and the portal mock shows a percent score only as a rough self-check.

• General Geology and Geological Investigations17%
• Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry12%
• Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology11%
• Geomorphology and Surficial Processes14%
• Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology12%
• Hydrogeology13%
• Engineering Geology12%
• Mineral and Energy Resources9%

The content outline spreads questions across 8 areas: General Geology and Geological Investigations (17.0%); Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (12.0%); Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (11.0%); Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (14.0%); Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology (12.0%); Hydrogeology (13.0%); Engineering Geology (12.0%); Mineral and Energy Resources (9.0%).

Each state sets its own qualifications; applicants typically need a geology or geosciences degree with required course hours. ASBOG does not accept applications or fees directly from candidates: your state board reviews your credentials and then uploads your record to the national system.

The ASBOG national exam fee is $200 and the Prometric seat fee is $78, $278 per sitting; state boards may charge separate application or registration fees.

The FG exam is an entry examination; licensing, renewal and continuing education are set by your state geology board, so check your board for what applies after you pass.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: General Geology and Geological Investigations (17.0%); Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (14.0%); Hydrogeology (13.0%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 140 questions in one sitting.

The blueprint used here is the ASBOG 2023 Task Analysis Survey FG test blueprint and the candidate handbook updated January 2024; ASBOG revises its blueprints after each task analysis, so check asbog.org before you book.