ASBOG PG Exam Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

ASBOG describes the PG exam as 110 traditional multiple-choice questions with four options, taken on a computer in four hours, and the portal mock uses the same 110 questions and 240 minutes. ASBOG reports 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 there is no passing percentage to count. The PG blueprint from the 2023 Task Analysis Survey lists eight domains with these shares: General Geology and Geological Investigations 17 percent, Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry 5, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology 5, Geomorphology and Surficial Processes 8, Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology 9, Hydrogeology 22, Engineering Geology 18 and Mineral and Energy Resources 16.

The PG exam is the second of the two ASBOG examinations used by state boards on the path to professional geologist licensure; the first is the Fundamentals of Geology exam, which has its own SummitCert portal.

Geologists with field experience who are preparing for the ASBOG Practice of Geology exam for a state professional geologist 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: 110 multiple-choice questions in four hours; the portal mock has 110 questions in 240 minutes, the same size and pace. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

ASBOG describes the PG exam as 110 traditional multiple-choice questions with four options, taken on a computer in four hours, and the portal mock uses the same 110 questions and 240 minutes. ASBOG reports 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 there is no passing percentage to count. The PG blueprint from the 2023 Task Analysis Survey lists eight domains with these shares: General Geology and Geological Investigations 17 percent, Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry 5, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology 5, Geomorphology and Surficial Processes 8, Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology 9, Hydrogeology 22, Engineering Geology 18 and Mineral and Energy Resources 16. 110 multiple-choice questions with four options · 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 Geochemistry5%
• Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology5%
• Geomorphology and Surficial Processes8%
• Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology9%
• Hydrogeology22%
• Engineering Geology18%
• Mineral and Energy Resources16%

The content outline spreads questions across 8 areas: General Geology and Geological Investigations (17.0%); Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry (5.0%); Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology (5.0%); Geomorphology and Surficial Processes (8.0%); Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology (9.0%); Hydrogeology (22.0%); Engineering Geology (18.0%); Mineral and Energy Resources (16.0%).

Each state sets its own qualifications, application deadlines and forms; ASBOG does not accept applications or fees directly from candidates. If your board approves you, it uploads your record to the national registration system and Prometric then emails you to pay the seat fee and schedule.

The ASBOG national exam fee for PG is $250 and the Prometric seat fee is $78, $328 per sitting; state boards may charge separate application or administrative fees. Rescheduling or cancelling up to 5 days before the test date costs $35.

The PG exam is a licensing 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: Hydrogeology (22.0%); Engineering Geology (18.0%); General Geology and Geological Investigations (17.0%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 110 questions in one sitting.

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