If you’ve been preparing for the NBHWC Board Exam, you may have heard different explanations about how the scoring works. Some people believe only a certain percentage of test-takers pass, while others think the results depend on your testing group. Fortunately, the reality is simpler—and much fairer.
Here’s a clear explanation of how the scoring process works, based on information from the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
A Fair and Standardized Process
The NBHWC exam isn’t graded on a curve, and you’re not competing against other test-takers. The purpose of the exam is to measure whether you’ve reached a consistent, professional standard of knowledge and skill expected of a certified health and wellness coach.
The NBHWC Health & Wellness Coach Certifying Examination is scored on a pass/fail basis, with the passing score determined by a panel of subject matter experts through a process called standard setting.
During this process, the experts review each question to determine the score expected from a Minimally Qualified Candidate (MQC)—a coach who meets the essential level of competence required to practice safely and effectively.
Once the passing score is established, it is adjusted for the overall difficulty of each test form through a statistical method called equating, which ensures fairness across all candidates.
That standard — called the cut score — represents the minimum level of competence required to pass. Once you meet that level, you pass. It’s that simple.
Step 1: Setting the Passing Standard
Before the exam is even given, NBME and NBHWC experts go through a process called standard setting.
They review every question on the exam and ask, “Would a minimally competent, well-trained coach be able to answer this correctly?”
Based on those judgments, a cut score is set — meaning the number of points or percentage you’d need to demonstrate that baseline level of competence.
This is done using well-established psychometric methods, such as the Angoff Method, which is used across many healthcare board exams (nursing, physical therapy, etc.).
Key point: The passing score is decided in advance, not after the exam or based on who else takes it. The goal is to identify a fair and consistent threshold that remains stable over time.
Step 2: Making It Fair Across Different Versions (Equating)
Because the NBHWC exam is offered multiple times a year, there are several versions of it. Each version covers the same content areas and competencies but uses different sets of questions. This helps protect exam security and ensures that no one memorizes the questions. However, even when experts try to make all versions equal in difficulty, some might turn out a bit easier or harder than others.
To make sure all candidates are evaluated on an equal basis, NBME uses a statistical process called equating.
Equating adjusts for any small differences in test difficulty so that every score represents the same level of ability, regardless of which version you took. For instance, if one form of the exam was slightly harder, the raw scores are statistically adjusted so that those candidates are not penalized.
This process guarantees that all test-takers are measured according to the same standard.
Step 3: Pass or Fail—Based on Competence, Not Comparison
Once equating is complete, your score is compared to the pre-set passing standard— the minimum passing standard set before the test.
- If your equated score meets or exceeds the standard, you pass.
- If it falls below, you do not pass.
Your result has nothing to do with how other candidates performed. The passing standard remains constant, ensuring that everyone who meets that level of competence passes the exam—regardless of whether the test window happens to include stronger or weaker performers overall.
Again, it doesn’t matter how many people took the exam, or how well they did. The result depends only on your performance compared to the pre-set standard, not anyone else’s.
So, even if 90% of test-takers perform well, all 90% can pass. And if the exam happens to be particularly challenging, it’s still scored fairly thanks to the equating process.
How and When Results Are Released
Candidates typically receive a score report several weeks after the test window closes. The report indicates whether you passed or did not pass; it may also show performance by content area.
The exam itself includes 150 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections, with a total testing time of approximately 4.5 hours, including instructions and breaks.
Why NBHWC Doesn’t Release Raw Scores
You might notice that NBHWC doesn’t share your exact score — only a Pass or Fail result.
This is because raw percentage scores can be misleading after equating. Two candidates might answer a different number of questions correctly but still demonstrate the same level of competence once the difficulty is taken into account.
The NBME focuses on ensuring the results reflect true professional readiness — not just a percentage number.
What This Means for You
- You are not competing against anyone else.
- The passing score is determined in advance through expert review, not after the exam.
- All exam versions are adjusted to the same standard of difficulty.
- The process is built to ensure fairness and consistency for every test-taker.
- Your goal is to demonstrate professional competence — not perfection.
As an exam taker your task is simply to prepare well and demonstrate the knowledge and skills expected of a competent health and wellness coach. The scoring system ensures that your results accurately reflect your individual ability—not how you rank against others.
Official References
- National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). (n.d.). FAQ: How is the exam scored? Retrieved from https://nbhwc.org/faq
National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). (2024). Health & Wellness Coach Certifying Examination: Bulletin of Information. Retrieved from https://www.nbme.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/HWCCE_Bulletin_of_Information_2022-2024.pdf