NBCE EXAM COMPLETE PRACTICE TEST BANK 300 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales Updated 2026 Edition | All Core Domains Covered | A+ Graded
EXAM OVERVIEW
| Feature | Detail |
|---------|--------|
| Full Name | National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) |
| Administered By | NBCE |
| Exam Parts | Part I (Basic Sciences), Part II (Clinical Sciences), Part III (Clinical Competency),
Part IV (Practical), Physiotherapy, Acupuncture |
| Format | Multiple-choice, extended multiple-choice cases (EMCQ), practical stations |
| Key References | NBCE Content Outlines, Mosby's Review for NBCE |
Part I Domains & Weight:
- General Anatomy (20%)
- Spinal Anatomy (18%)
- Physiology (18%)
- Biochemistry (13%)
- Pathology (16%)
- Microbiology (15%)
Part II Domains & Weight:
- Diagnostic Imaging (17%)
- General Diagnosis (19%)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis (20%)
,- Associated Clinical Sciences (14%)
- Principles of Chiropractic (15%)
- Chiropractic Practice (15%)
Part III Domains:
- Case History (11%)
- Physical Examination (9%)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination (17%)
- Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (20%)
- Clinical Lab & Special Studies (14%)
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (14%)
- Chiropractic Techniques (15%)
---
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | General Anatomy | 1-45 |
| 2 | Spinal Anatomy | 46-75 |
| 3 | Physiology | 76-105 |
| 4 | Biochemistry & Microbiology | 106-130 |
| 5 | Pathology | 131-160 |
| 6 | Diagnostic Imaging | 161-185 |
| 7 | General & Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis | 186-220 |
,| 8 | Principles of Chiropractic & Chiropractic Practice | 221-245 |
| 9 | Physiotherapy | 246-270 |
| 10 | Acupuncture | 271-300 |
---
SECTION 1: GENERAL ANATOMY
Questions 1-45
---
1. The adrenal cortex develops from which germ layer?
A) Ectoderm
B) Mesoderm (lateral plate)
C) Endoderm
D) Neural crest
Answer: B) Mesoderm (lateral plate)
Rationale: The adrenal cortex develops from lateral plate mesoderm. The adrenal medulla, in
contrast, develops from neural crest cells. The adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids, while
the medulla produces catecholamines.
---
2. The spleen develops from which embryologic tissue?
, A) Surface ectoderm
B) Neural crest
C) Lateral plate mesoderm
D) Intermediate mesoderm
Answer: C) Lateral plate mesoderm
Rationale: The spleen is derived from lateral plate mesoderm. The spleen is a lymphatic organ
that filters blood and is important for immune function. The lateral plate mesoderm also gives
rise to the adrenal cortex, blood, lymph, and cardiovascular structures.
---
3. The kidneys develop from which embryologic tissue?
A) Surface ectoderm
B) Neural crest
C) Neural tube
D) Intermediate mesoderm
Answer: D) Intermediate mesoderm
Rationale: The kidneys develop from intermediate mesoderm. The kidneys are part of the
urogenital system, which arises from intermediate mesoderm.
---
Rationales Updated 2026 Edition | All Core Domains Covered | A+ Graded
EXAM OVERVIEW
| Feature | Detail |
|---------|--------|
| Full Name | National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) |
| Administered By | NBCE |
| Exam Parts | Part I (Basic Sciences), Part II (Clinical Sciences), Part III (Clinical Competency),
Part IV (Practical), Physiotherapy, Acupuncture |
| Format | Multiple-choice, extended multiple-choice cases (EMCQ), practical stations |
| Key References | NBCE Content Outlines, Mosby's Review for NBCE |
Part I Domains & Weight:
- General Anatomy (20%)
- Spinal Anatomy (18%)
- Physiology (18%)
- Biochemistry (13%)
- Pathology (16%)
- Microbiology (15%)
Part II Domains & Weight:
- Diagnostic Imaging (17%)
- General Diagnosis (19%)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis (20%)
,- Associated Clinical Sciences (14%)
- Principles of Chiropractic (15%)
- Chiropractic Practice (15%)
Part III Domains:
- Case History (11%)
- Physical Examination (9%)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Examination (17%)
- Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (20%)
- Clinical Lab & Special Studies (14%)
- Diagnosis or Clinical Impression (14%)
- Chiropractic Techniques (15%)
---
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | General Anatomy | 1-45 |
| 2 | Spinal Anatomy | 46-75 |
| 3 | Physiology | 76-105 |
| 4 | Biochemistry & Microbiology | 106-130 |
| 5 | Pathology | 131-160 |
| 6 | Diagnostic Imaging | 161-185 |
| 7 | General & Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis | 186-220 |
,| 8 | Principles of Chiropractic & Chiropractic Practice | 221-245 |
| 9 | Physiotherapy | 246-270 |
| 10 | Acupuncture | 271-300 |
---
SECTION 1: GENERAL ANATOMY
Questions 1-45
---
1. The adrenal cortex develops from which germ layer?
A) Ectoderm
B) Mesoderm (lateral plate)
C) Endoderm
D) Neural crest
Answer: B) Mesoderm (lateral plate)
Rationale: The adrenal cortex develops from lateral plate mesoderm. The adrenal medulla, in
contrast, develops from neural crest cells. The adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids, while
the medulla produces catecholamines.
---
2. The spleen develops from which embryologic tissue?
, A) Surface ectoderm
B) Neural crest
C) Lateral plate mesoderm
D) Intermediate mesoderm
Answer: C) Lateral plate mesoderm
Rationale: The spleen is derived from lateral plate mesoderm. The spleen is a lymphatic organ
that filters blood and is important for immune function. The lateral plate mesoderm also gives
rise to the adrenal cortex, blood, lymph, and cardiovascular structures.
---
3. The kidneys develop from which embryologic tissue?
A) Surface ectoderm
B) Neural crest
C) Neural tube
D) Intermediate mesoderm
Answer: D) Intermediate mesoderm
Rationale: The kidneys develop from intermediate mesoderm. The kidneys are part of the
urogenital system, which arises from intermediate mesoderm.
---
