Practice Examination Status Update: The scheduled maintenance is complete, and the Practice Examination is available.
IBLCE® is pleased to relaunch the IBCLC Practice Examination. Originally launched in 2015, this online practice examination will allow test-takers an opportunity to experience the look and format of an IBCLC certification examination, as well as the opportunity to experience a timed, computer-based test.
The practice examination consists of 100 (items) questions that align with the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline. All items on the practice examination are multiple choice questions and include the three types used on the IBCLC certification examination:
- text-only items,
- questions with an associated image or graphic, and
- items that require the test-taker to utilise a case study, or written record of a lactation consultation.
Test-takers will receive a report at the conclusion of the practice examination that will show the number of correctly and incorrectly answered items, broken down by domains in the Detailed Content Outline. You will be able to use the Detailed Content Outline to evaluate your results and determine in which areas you may wish to devote to additional study. As is usual practice for certification boards, IBLCE does not make the items or answers available to test-takers following completion of the practice examination. Such requests for access to the practice examination items and answers will be denied.
Access to the practice examination will be through our testing partner, and payment of the practice examination fee ($50 USD) must be made online via PayPal or credit card. The practice examination is available in English only. Test-takers may take the examination as often as they wish. Each re-take requires payment of the practice examination fee.
The IBCLC Practice Examination is optional, is not required to apply for or obtain certification as an IBCLC and is not the only or preferred route to certification. It is not the best or only means for preparing adequately for the examination. Taking the practice exam also does not guarantee a passing score, certification, or any other particular result. Candidates should adopt a comprehensive study plan based on the established criteria and body of knowledge; candidates are fully responsible for their own preparation, course of study, professional services, examination, and meeting recertification requirements.
Instructions for Accessing the IBCLC Practice Examination:
- Click here to visit the exam landing page for our testing partner.
- Follow the instructions to select and pay for the IBCLC Practice Examination using PayPal or credit card. You will be asked for an email address to set up an account. Please note that you will need to use the email address associated with your PayPal account if paying by PayPal. If you have used the system in the past, you may already have an account and will be asked to log in.
- Once your transaction is completed, you will receive one or two emails from support@examstudio.com. One email contains a link to start the exam. The other email contains instructions to complete the registration on the site (including establishing a password). Please note that this account is separate from your IBLCE account and is only used for purposes of the IBCLC Practice Examination.
If you have used the system in the past, you may not receive this second email. - When you click through the link in the email and log in, you will be taken to the landing page. You may begin the exam by clicking the link on the left-hand side of the screen.
Practice Examination
I purchased the Practice Examination before January 8, 2024, but now my login doesn’t work. How can I access the Practice Examination?
How can I access the IBCLC Practice Examination?
The IBCLC Practice Examination is very convenient; it can be accessed on the IBLCE website.
The IBCLC Practice Examination testing partner no longer supports using Microsoft Explorer to launch this practice examination. Doing so may cause this practice examination to not load correctly. Please use a different browser for the best experience.
What kind of questions will be on the IBCLC Practice Examination?
All items (questions) on the IBCLC Practice Examination are multiple choice questions and include the three types used on the actual IBCLC Certification Examination:
- text-only items
- questions with an associated image or graphic
- items that require the test-taker to utilise a case study, or written record of a lactation consultation.
How many questions will be on the IBCLC Practice Examination?
The IBCLC Practice Examination consists of 100 items displayed in random order.
How long will I have to complete the IBCLC Practice Examination?
You will have 2 hours and 20 minutes (140 minutes) to complete the IBCLC Practice Examination.
How much does the IBCLC Practice Examination cost?
The fee for the IBCLC Practice Examination is $50 USD.
How do I pay for the IBCLC Practice Examination?
The IBCLC Practice Examination fee is paid online by credit card or PayPal®.
Where will the access information for the IBCLC Practice Examination be sent?
The information about how to access the IBCLC Practice Examination will be sent to the email address associated with the PayPal account used to purchase the exam or the email address used to create your account if paying by credit card. When paying be sure that your contact information is up to date in PayPal so that your registration access is sent to the correct email address.
How can I pay if I don’t have a credit card or PayPal account?
At the present time, payment for the IBCLC Practice Examination can only be made using credit card or PayPal. If you want to purchase the practice examination now, you will be given an opportunity to establish a PayPal account during the checkout process.
May I use my employer’s, my spouse’s or someone else’s PayPal account to purchase the IBCLC Practice Examination?
Yes, however, your registration details and access to the IBCLC Practice Examination will be sent to the email address that is on record with the PayPal account you used to pay for the practice examination. If you have forgotten or do not have access to the email account associated with the PayPal account used to purchase the examination, this may delay your access to the examination and require intervention from the examination vendor’s support team.
I paid for the IBCLC Practice Examination but did not receive my registration details. What should I do?
You should email support@zoomorphix.com and provide them with your name, contact information and the date on which you purchased the IBCLC Practice Examination. You should expect a response within 2 business days.
Will I be allowed to take a break during the IBCLC Practice Examination?
There is nothing to prevent you from taking a break; however, you will lose the time that you are away from your computer. In addition, you should check that your computer does not go to sleep while you are away. Depending upon your computer system, sleep/hibernation mode may cause the IBCLC Practice Examination program to shut down and your examination may be terminated.
I started the IBCLC Practice Examination and had to take a break. When I came back the exam had ended. Can a get a free re-take?
As noted above, the IBCLC Practice Examination is allotted 2 hours and 20 minutes of time. When the allotted time is over, the exam will end and cannot be repeated. If you wish to retake the practice examination, you will need to pay another practice examination fee and register again.
May I take the IBCLC Practice Examination more than once? Do I have to pay to take it again?
Yes. You may take the IBCLC Practice Examination as often as you wish. The $50 USD fee must be paid each time.
If I take the IBCLC Practice Examination again, will the questions be new questions?
No, there is only one IBCLC Practice Examination at this time.
May I purchase the IBCLC Practice Examination and take it later?
Yes. You will have 6 months from the date of purchase to take the IBCLC Practice Examination. However, once you start the practice examination, you must complete it in the 2 hours and 20 minutes allotted.
When will I receive my IBCLC Practice Examination results?
As soon as you finish the IBCLC Practice Examination, you will be shown your IBCLC Practice Examination Report. You will also receive this same report at the email address you entered when you purchased the IBCLC Practice Examination.
Will I be able to download or save the IBCLC Practice Examination questions or images?
No. The IBCLC® Practice Examination is confidential and is protected by law. It is made available to you, the examinee, solely for the purpose of becoming familiar with the format of an IBLCE examination. You are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting this practice examination, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior express written permission of IBLCE.
How was IBCLC Practice Examination created?
The IBCLC Practice Examination was written and reviewed by subject matter experts, utilising the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline to align questions with the various disciplines comprising the knowledge base upon which actual IBCLC Certification Examination candidates are tested.
The IBCLC Practice Examination questions and images are NOT on the IBCLC Certification Examination. Please note that the IBCLC Practice Examination includes both images and information that are clinical in nature. These images and information are intended exclusively for use by IBCLCs and/or those interested in pursuing the IBCLC credential.
How is this IBCLC Practice Examination different from the one offered in 2015?
The IBCLC Practice Examination was initially launched in 2015 and we are pleased to offer it again to help you prepare for the IBCLC Certification Examination. The current IBCLC Practice Examination has been updated to reflect the current Detailed Content Outline and to account for changes in practice. Many of the items that appeared on the 2015 IBCLC Practice Examination remain current best practice and are on this most recent version.
I’ve already taken another IBCLC Practice Examination and passed it. Why should I take the IBCLC Practice Examination?
The IBCLC Practice Examination is optional, is not required to apply for or obtain certification as an IBCLC, and is not the only or preferred route to certification. It is not the best or only means for preparing adequately for the exam. Taking the IBCLC Practice Examination provides no unique advantage for the test-taker on the IBCLC examination.
It does offer you the opportunity to experience computer based testing, answer questions that align with the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline, and have exposure to the three types of multiple choice questions currently used on the IBCLC Certification Examination: text-only items, questions with an associated image or graphic and items that incorporate a “case study,” or lactation consultation record.
It would be helpful to know which questions I answered incorrectly. Will that information be shown in my results report?
Your results report will list only the number of questions you answered correctly and the number you answered incorrectly in each discipline of the IBCLC Detailed Content Outline. You may use the Detailed Content Outline to guide your study of the knowledge base upon which you will be tested on the actual IBCLC Certification Examination.
IBLCE does not make the items or answers available to test-takers following completion of the practice examination. Such requests for access to the practice examination items and answers will be denied.