Introduction

If you’re preparing for the Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) exam, one of the first questions you’ll eventually ask is:
“What score do I need to pass?”

It’s a simple question — but the answer has layers that are important to understand if you want to approach the CIC exam with confidence.

Unlike some credentialing exams that rely on a fixed number of correct answers, the CIC exam uses a scaled scoring system. That means your final score reflects not only the raw number of questions you answered correctly, but also the relative difficulty of the version of the exam you received.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn:

• The official CIC passing score
  
• How scaled scoring works
  
• What raw score you may need
  
• How CBIC sets passing standards
  
• Why some cycles of exam questions feel harder
  
• Why performance varies between individuals
  
• How to gauge readiness
  
• What score ranges mean
  
• Realistic strategies to consistently score above the passing line
  
  

By the end, you’ll know exactly how CIC scoring works — and how to aim your prep in the right direction.

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1. The CIC Passing Score Is 700 (on a 300–900 Scale)

To pass the CIC exam, you need:

✔️ A scaled score of 700

✔️ On a scoring scale that ranges from 300 to 900

✔️ Regardless of which version of the exam you take

Your score report will show:

• Your scaled score
  
• A pass/fail status
  
• Domain-level performance indicators
  
• Additional feedback (if available)
  
  

Scoring 700 means you have demonstrated sufficient competency across domains to meet national standards for infection prevention practice.

 

2. What Is a Scaled Score?

A scaled score is a transformed score that accounts for variations in exam difficulty.

In simple terms:

• Some exam versions are slightly harder
  
• Some are slightly easier
  
• Scaled scoring ensures fairness
  
• Everyone is graded on the same standard
  
  

This prevents someone from having an unfair advantage just because they received a slightly easier exam form.

What Scaled Scoring Doesn’t Mean:

• You are NOT graded on a curve
  
• You are NOT compared to other candidates
  
• You do NOT need a percentage like 70% or 80%
  
  

You are evaluated against a fixed competency standard — not other people.

3. How Many Questions Do You Need to Get Right to Pass?

Because CBIC does not publish raw passing numbers, the exact number varies slightly.

But based on candidate analysis and typical scaled scoring patterns, a safe estimate is:

✔️ You need to answer approximately 90–100 of the 135 scored questions correctly

This puts you in the comfortable passing zone where scaling will almost always land you above 700.

In percentage terms:

This is roughly 67–74% accuracy on scored items.

Remember:

• The exam is moderately difficult
  
• Questions require reasoning, not memorization
  
• A score above 100 correct answers increases your safety margin significantly
  
  

Some exam forms are more difficult, which is why scaled scoring exists — a harder exam might still give you a passing 700 even if your raw score is slightly lower.

 

4. What Happens to the Unscored Questions?

Out of the 150 questions:

• 135 questions are scored
  
• 15 questions are unscored (pilot questions)
  
  

These pilot items are indistinguishable from scored questions and are placed throughout the exam.

Why are pilot questions included?

They help CBIC:

• Test future exam questions
  
• Validate difficulty levels
  
• Maintain psychometric accuracy
  
• Update content relevance
  
  

Your response to pilot questions does not affect your score, but you still need to treat each question seriously because you will not know which are unscored.

5. How the CIC Exam Determines Competency

The passing standard — 700 — is not chosen randomly.
CBIC uses a psychometric method called Modified Angoff to determine the competency threshold.

Here’s what this means in practice:

✔️ A panel of experts evaluates how a minimally competent IP should perform

✔️ They assess each question’s difficulty

✔️ They determine how many correct answers demonstrate safe, effective competence

✔️ This process is repeated periodically

✔️ The passing threshold is validated against national professional standards

This ensures the CIC credential maintains integrity across:

• Hospitals
  
• Public health roles
  
• Outpatient care
  
• Long-term care settings
  
• Government agencies
  
  

The CIC exam is not meant to eliminate candidates — it’s meant to verify competence.

 

6. Why You Should Aim for More Than 700

Even though 700 is the passing standard, aiming for the bare minimum isn’t ideal.

Here’s why you should aim higher:

✔️ To offset exam-day stress

✔️ To offset tricky questions

✔️ To avoid guessing pitfalls

✔️ To avoid borderline scaled scores

✔️ To reinforce long-term knowledge retention

✔️ To feel confident walking into your first IP job

✔️ To reduce the need for retakes

Most successful CIC candidates study with the goal of scoring:

750–800+ on practice exams

This gives you room for error while reinforcing strong competency.

(Internal link prompt: “Use the CIC Study Guide’s simulated exams to target 750+ before scheduling your CIC attempt.”)

 

7. Understanding CIC Score Reports

When you receive your official results, you’ll see:

• Your scaled score
  
• Pass/Fail result
  
• Performance indicators across domains (Not numerical)
  
  

The domain performance categories usually include:

• Above standard
  
• At standard
  
• Below standard
  
  

These categories help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, especially if you need to retake the exam.

What you will NOT see:

• The exact number of questions you answered correctly
  
• Percentages for each domain
  
• Your performance on pilot questions
  
  

CBIC keeps these metrics confidential to protect exam integrity.

 

8. What Happens If You Fail the CIC Exam?

If your scaled score is 699 or below, you do not pass.

Here’s what happens next:

✔️ You must wait 90 days before reapplying

✔️ You must pay the full exam fee again

✔️ You will receive domain-level feedback

✔️ You can retest as many times as needed (no limit)

Most candidates who fail the first attempt pass successfully on the second — especially after structured review focused on weaker domains.

 

9. What Causes Candidates to Score Below 700?

Based on candidate trends, these are the most common reasons:

1. Underestimating surveillance/epidemiology

This is the heaviest-weight domain and often the most challenging.

2. Memorizing instead of applying

The CIC exam focuses on reasoning, not fact recall.

3. Weakness in rate calculations

Incidence, prevalence, attack rates, SIRs, and device days require practice.

4. Not reading questions slowly

Tiny wording details often determine the correct answer.

5. Not practicing with realistic exam-style questions

Free online questions often do not resemble the real exam.

6. Rushing or poor time management

Three hours seems long, but fatigue hits around the 100-question mark.

7. Ignoring smaller domains

Even low-weight sections can impact your final score.

 

10. What Score Should You Aim for on Practice Tests?

Think of practice exam scores like NCLEX prep — aim higher than the minimum.

A strong target range is:

✔️ 75–80% accuracy

or

✔️ 750–800 scaled score equivalent

This gives you enough cushion for exam-day nerves.

If your practice exam scores are consistently:

• Below 65% → You’re not ready
  
• 65–70% → Borderline
  
• 70–75% → Possible pass but risky
  
• 75–85% → Good, likely to pass
  
• 85–90%+ → Strong, well-prepared
  
  

11. Does Everyone Get the Same Version of the CIC Exam?

No — CBIC creates multiple exam forms.

Each form:

• Has the same number of questions
  
• Has identical domain weight
  
• Meets the same competency standards
  
• Contains unique scenarios and wording
  
• Uses the same blueprint
  
• Follows the same scoring scale
  

Scaled scoring ensures fairness across these forms.

 

12. Does the CIC Exam Get Harder or Easier Each Year?

No — CBIC keeps difficulty consistent through:

• Routine psychometric analysis
  
• Pilot testing
  
• Angoff scoring validation
  
• Item replacement and retirement
  
• Domain updates
  
  

However, your experience of difficulty may vary depending on:

• Your background
  
• Your clinical exposure
  
• Your analytic skills
  
• Whether epidemiology feels natural or challenging
  
• Confidence under timed pressure
  
  

13. Key Test-Taking Strategies to Score 700+

These strategies help most candidates break past the passing mark:

Strategy 1: Prioritize high-weight domains first

Surveillance and epidemiology deserve the largest chunk of your study time.

Strategy 2: Focus on reasoning over memorization

The CIC loves “best next step” logic.

Strategy 3: Practice rate calculations consistently

Being comfortable with numbers removes a major exam-day stressor.

 

Strategy 4: Review real guidelines

CDC, SHEA, APIC, and OSHA principles appear frequently.

Strategy 5: Read every question deliberately

Many questions contain subtle phrasing traps.

Strategy 6: Don’t leave blanks

There is no penalty for guessing.

Strategy 7: Complete at least 1–2 timed mock exams

Simulating the pressure boosts score reliability.

 

👉 Let’s walk through this together, clearly and calmly. Check out our AAPC CPB 2025 Practice Questions with Detailed Rationale - fully updated for the latest 2025 billing guidelines to help you deepen your knowledge of claims processing, reimbursement methodologist, compliance requirements, and insurance fundamentals. Each question includes a clear, easy-to-follow rationale so you understand the "why" behind every answer and build real confidence for exam day. You've got this!

Final Thoughts

The CIC exam’s passing score of 700 represents more than a number — it represents mastery of infection prevention principles that keep patients, communities, and healthcare workers safe every single day.

Now you know:

• The CIC passing score is 700
  
• Scores range from 300–900
  
• 135 questions are scored
  
• 15 questions are unscored
  
• Estimated raw score needed is roughly 90–100 correct
  
• Scaled scoring ensures fairness
  
• You should aim for above 750 to feel confident
  
• Failures require a 90-day wait
  
• Most candidates pass on retakes
  
  

You’re building a foundation of knowledge that strengthens patient safety and elevates your career. Stay steady, stay focused — you’re moving closer to that CIC credential with every study session.