CBIS SAMPLE TEST – SECTION ONE
(CHAPTER 1 & 4) 2026
Questions 1–250 with Rationales
This comprehensive study guide is designed to help you prepare
for the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) examination,
administered by the Academy of Certified Brain Injury
Specialists (ACBIS). The certification is widely recognized and
respected for professionals who assist persons with brain injury to
restore, maintain, and promote optimal health .
Question 1
Which type of injury is classified as an acquired brain injury (ABI)?
A. Congenital cerebral palsy
B. Traumatic brain injury from a fall
C. Spina bifida
D. Autism spectrum disorder
Answer: B. Traumatic brain injury from a fall.
Rationale: An ABI is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital,
degenerative, or induced by birth trauma . It occurs after birth and includes
both traumatic causes (external force) and non-traumatic causes such as
stroke, tumor, or infection. Congenital conditions are not classified as ABI.
,Question 2
A patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 12 is classified as
having:
A. Mild TBI
B. Moderate TBI
C. Severe TBI
D. Persistent vegetative state
Answer: B. Moderate TBI.
Rationale: GCS scores are categorized as: Severe TBI = 3-8, Moderate TBI =
9-12, and Mild TBI = 13-15 . A GCS of 12 indicates a moderate brain injury
with loss of consciousness over 30 minutes but less than 24 hours, and post-
traumatic amnesia of more than 1 day but less than 7 days.
Question 3
Which brain lobe primarily controls executive functioning?
A. Parietal lobe
B. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
Answer: C. Frontal lobe.
Rationale: The frontal lobe primarily controls executive functioning,
including planning, decision-making, impulse control, judgment, and
problem-solving. Damage to this area can result in frontal release syndrome
characterized by disinhibition and abnormal behaviors .
,Question 4
What is the definition of a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
A. An injury to the brain caused by a lack of oxygen
B. An alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology,
caused by an external force
C. An injury to the brain caused by a tumor or infection
D. A condition resulting from an internal insult like a stroke
Answer: B. An alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain
pathology, caused by an external force.
Rationale: A TBI is specifically caused by an external physical force . A lack of
oxygen, stroke, or tumors are classified as non-traumatic or acquired brain
injuries. An external force can be a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury.
Question 5
How is an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) defined?
A. An injury that is hereditary and present at birth
B. An injury that only results from vehicular accidents
C. An injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or
induced by birth trauma
D. An injury caused exclusively by external force
Answer: C. An injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital,
degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.
Rationale: ABI is an umbrella term that encompasses all brain injuries
occurring after birth, including both traumatic causes (external force) and
non-traumatic causes such as stroke, tumor, infection, hypoxia/anoxia, and
ischemia .
, Question 6
What does "incidence" mean in the context of brain injury
epidemiology?
A. The number of people living with a brain injury at a specific point in time
B. The rate or range of occurrence of new cases
C. The total cost of brain injury care
D. The number of deaths caused by brain injury
Answer: B. The rate or range of occurrence of new cases.
Rationale: Incidence refers to the rate or range of occurrence of new cases of
a condition in a population over a specific time period . Prevalence is the
number of people with a given condition at a specific point in time.
Understanding epidemiology assists in identifying at-risk populations and
passing legislation.
Question 7
What GCS score indicates a severe TBI?
A. 3-8
B. 9-12
C. 13-15
D. 0-2
Answer: A. 3-8.
Rationale: A GCS score of 3-8 indicates a severe TBI, characterized by loss of
consciousness over 24 hours and post-traumatic amnesia over 7 days . A
score of 9-12 indicates a moderate TBI, and 13-15 indicates a mild TBI.
(CHAPTER 1 & 4) 2026
Questions 1–250 with Rationales
This comprehensive study guide is designed to help you prepare
for the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) examination,
administered by the Academy of Certified Brain Injury
Specialists (ACBIS). The certification is widely recognized and
respected for professionals who assist persons with brain injury to
restore, maintain, and promote optimal health .
Question 1
Which type of injury is classified as an acquired brain injury (ABI)?
A. Congenital cerebral palsy
B. Traumatic brain injury from a fall
C. Spina bifida
D. Autism spectrum disorder
Answer: B. Traumatic brain injury from a fall.
Rationale: An ABI is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital,
degenerative, or induced by birth trauma . It occurs after birth and includes
both traumatic causes (external force) and non-traumatic causes such as
stroke, tumor, or infection. Congenital conditions are not classified as ABI.
,Question 2
A patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 12 is classified as
having:
A. Mild TBI
B. Moderate TBI
C. Severe TBI
D. Persistent vegetative state
Answer: B. Moderate TBI.
Rationale: GCS scores are categorized as: Severe TBI = 3-8, Moderate TBI =
9-12, and Mild TBI = 13-15 . A GCS of 12 indicates a moderate brain injury
with loss of consciousness over 30 minutes but less than 24 hours, and post-
traumatic amnesia of more than 1 day but less than 7 days.
Question 3
Which brain lobe primarily controls executive functioning?
A. Parietal lobe
B. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Occipital lobe
Answer: C. Frontal lobe.
Rationale: The frontal lobe primarily controls executive functioning,
including planning, decision-making, impulse control, judgment, and
problem-solving. Damage to this area can result in frontal release syndrome
characterized by disinhibition and abnormal behaviors .
,Question 4
What is the definition of a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
A. An injury to the brain caused by a lack of oxygen
B. An alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology,
caused by an external force
C. An injury to the brain caused by a tumor or infection
D. A condition resulting from an internal insult like a stroke
Answer: B. An alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain
pathology, caused by an external force.
Rationale: A TBI is specifically caused by an external physical force . A lack of
oxygen, stroke, or tumors are classified as non-traumatic or acquired brain
injuries. An external force can be a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury.
Question 5
How is an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) defined?
A. An injury that is hereditary and present at birth
B. An injury that only results from vehicular accidents
C. An injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or
induced by birth trauma
D. An injury caused exclusively by external force
Answer: C. An injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital,
degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.
Rationale: ABI is an umbrella term that encompasses all brain injuries
occurring after birth, including both traumatic causes (external force) and
non-traumatic causes such as stroke, tumor, infection, hypoxia/anoxia, and
ischemia .
, Question 6
What does "incidence" mean in the context of brain injury
epidemiology?
A. The number of people living with a brain injury at a specific point in time
B. The rate or range of occurrence of new cases
C. The total cost of brain injury care
D. The number of deaths caused by brain injury
Answer: B. The rate or range of occurrence of new cases.
Rationale: Incidence refers to the rate or range of occurrence of new cases of
a condition in a population over a specific time period . Prevalence is the
number of people with a given condition at a specific point in time.
Understanding epidemiology assists in identifying at-risk populations and
passing legislation.
Question 7
What GCS score indicates a severe TBI?
A. 3-8
B. 9-12
C. 13-15
D. 0-2
Answer: A. 3-8.
Rationale: A GCS score of 3-8 indicates a severe TBI, characterized by loss of
consciousness over 24 hours and post-traumatic amnesia over 7 days . A
score of 9-12 indicates a moderate TBI, and 13-15 indicates a mild TBI.
