1
CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY SPECIALIST (CBIS) EXAM
PRACTICE EXAM WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-27
LATEST RELEASED VERSION
100 Questions | Multiple Choice | Answers & Rationales
SECTION I: Brain Injury Fundamentals (Q1–20)
1. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is best defined as:
A. Any injury to the skull
B. An alteration in brain function caused by an external force
C. A congenital neurological disorder
D. A progressive neurodegenerative disease
,2
Answer: B
Rationale: TBI involves disruption of normal brain function due
to an external mechanical force.
2. Which mechanism most commonly causes TBI?
A. Hypoxia
B. Acceleration–deceleration forces
C. Infection
D. Neurotoxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid acceleration and deceleration cause shearing
of neuronal structures.
3. Which is an example of a closed-head injury?
A. Gunshot wound
B. Skull fracture with brain exposure
C. Concussion
D. Penetrating trauma
Answer: C
Rationale: Closed-head injuries do not involve skull
penetration.
,3
4. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses:
A. Cognitive ability only
B. Motor recovery
C. Eye, verbal, and motor responses
D. Long-term prognosis
Answer: C
Rationale: GCS evaluates eye opening, verbal response, and
motor response.
5. A GCS score of 3–8 indicates:
A. Mild TBI
B. Moderate TBI
C. Severe TBI
D. No brain injury
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe TBI is defined by a GCS ≤8.
6. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) results primarily from:
A. Direct impact
B. Rotational forces
C. Infection
D. Vascular occlusion
, 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Rotational forces cause shearing of axons across the
brain.
7. Primary brain injury refers to:
A. Injury occurring after swelling
B. Damage at the moment of trauma
C. Infection following injury
D. Hypoxia hours later
Answer: B
Rationale: Primary injury occurs at the time of impact.
8. Secondary brain injury is caused by:
A. Initial trauma
B. Inflammation, hypoxia, and ischemia
C. Skull fracture
D. Mechanical force
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary injury develops after the initial insult.
9. Which brain lobe is most responsible for executive function?
A. Temporal
B. Parietal
CERTIFIED BRAIN INJURY SPECIALIST (CBIS) EXAM
PRACTICE EXAM WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-27
LATEST RELEASED VERSION
100 Questions | Multiple Choice | Answers & Rationales
SECTION I: Brain Injury Fundamentals (Q1–20)
1. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is best defined as:
A. Any injury to the skull
B. An alteration in brain function caused by an external force
C. A congenital neurological disorder
D. A progressive neurodegenerative disease
,2
Answer: B
Rationale: TBI involves disruption of normal brain function due
to an external mechanical force.
2. Which mechanism most commonly causes TBI?
A. Hypoxia
B. Acceleration–deceleration forces
C. Infection
D. Neurotoxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid acceleration and deceleration cause shearing
of neuronal structures.
3. Which is an example of a closed-head injury?
A. Gunshot wound
B. Skull fracture with brain exposure
C. Concussion
D. Penetrating trauma
Answer: C
Rationale: Closed-head injuries do not involve skull
penetration.
,3
4. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses:
A. Cognitive ability only
B. Motor recovery
C. Eye, verbal, and motor responses
D. Long-term prognosis
Answer: C
Rationale: GCS evaluates eye opening, verbal response, and
motor response.
5. A GCS score of 3–8 indicates:
A. Mild TBI
B. Moderate TBI
C. Severe TBI
D. No brain injury
Answer: C
Rationale: Severe TBI is defined by a GCS ≤8.
6. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) results primarily from:
A. Direct impact
B. Rotational forces
C. Infection
D. Vascular occlusion
, 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Rotational forces cause shearing of axons across the
brain.
7. Primary brain injury refers to:
A. Injury occurring after swelling
B. Damage at the moment of trauma
C. Infection following injury
D. Hypoxia hours later
Answer: B
Rationale: Primary injury occurs at the time of impact.
8. Secondary brain injury is caused by:
A. Initial trauma
B. Inflammation, hypoxia, and ischemia
C. Skull fracture
D. Mechanical force
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary injury develops after the initial insult.
9. Which brain lobe is most responsible for executive function?
A. Temporal
B. Parietal
