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BOC ATCFree Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer practice test
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10 real BOC ATC practice questions with instant answers and explanations — no account, no credit card, no email. Score yourself, then unlock the full bank of 500 questions whenever you’re ready. The BOC ATC passing score is 500 scaled (cut score set by BOC).
An athletic trainer performs the Lachman test on a patient with a suspected knee injury. Excessive anterior tibial translation with a soft end-feel most strongly suggests injury to which structure?
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Q1. An athletic trainer performs the Lachman test on a patient with a suspected knee injury. Excessive anterior tibial translation with a soft end-feel most strongly suggests injury to which structure?
Correct answer: A. Anterior cruciate ligament
The Lachman test is performed at 20-30 degrees of knee flexion and is considered the most sensitive clinical test for anterior cruciate ligament tears, detected by excessive anterior translation of the tibia with a soft or mushy end-feel.
Q2. During the McMurray test, the examiner flexes the knee fully, then applies tibial rotation while extending the joint. A palpable or audible click during external rotation and valgus stress is suggestive of a tear in which structure?
Correct answer: D. Medial meniscus
External tibial rotation with valgus stress during the McMurray maneuver loads the medial meniscus, and a click or pain reproduction indicates a positive finding for a medial meniscal tear.
Q3. A patient presents with lateral ankle pain after an inversion injury. The anterior drawer test of the ankle is positive, showing increased anterior translation of the talus. This finding is most consistent with laxity of which ligament?
Correct answer: C. Anterior talofibular ligament
The anterior talofibular ligament is the primary restraint tested by the anterior drawer test of the ankle and is the most commonly injured ligament in inversion ankle sprains.
Q4. A patient reports shoulder pain with weakness during resisted abduction with the arm at 90 degrees, thumb pointing down (empty can position). This test primarily assesses the integrity of which muscle or tendon?
Correct answer: D. Supraspinatus
The empty can (Jobe) test isolates the supraspinatus muscle by positioning the shoulder in the scapular plane with internal rotation, minimizing deltoid contribution.
Q5. An athlete cannot actively plantarflex the ankle after a sudden posterior lower-leg pain during a sprint. The Thompson test is performed with the patient prone. Which finding indicates a complete Achilles tendon rupture?
Correct answer: C. No plantarflexion occurs when the calf is squeezed
A positive Thompson test shows absence of passive plantarflexion when the calf muscle belly is squeezed, indicating a discontinuity in the gastrocnemius-soleus-Achilles complex consistent with a complete rupture.
Q6. A patient reports numbness and tingling into the hand that worsens when the arm is abducted and externally rotated with the head turned away, and the radial pulse diminishes. Which special test is being used to assess this condition?
Correct answer: D. Adson test
The Adson test assesses thoracic outlet syndrome by monitoring radial pulse changes and symptom reproduction as the scalene muscles and cervical rib space compress the neurovascular bundle during arm positioning and head rotation.
Q7. A patient has anterior shoulder pain reproduced by passively flexing the arm forward while the examiner stabilizes the scapula, causing the greater tuberosity to contact the acromion. This maneuver describes which special test?
Correct answer: D. Neer impingement test
The Neer test reproduces subacromial impingement by passively elevating the arm in forward flexion with internal rotation, compressing the supraspinatus tendon and subacromial bursa against the acromion.
Q8. Using the Ottawa Ankle Rules, an athletic trainer determines whether radiographs are indicated after an acute ankle injury. Which finding would indicate the need for radiographic imaging?
Correct answer: A. Inability to bear weight for four steps immediately and in the clinic
The Ottawa Ankle Rules indicate radiographs are needed if there is bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of either malleolus, or an inability to bear weight for four steps both immediately after injury and at evaluation.
Q9. An athletic trainer applies an ice pack to an acute ankle sprain during the initial treatment phase. What is the general recommended duration for a single cryotherapy application to superficial tissue?
Correct answer: C. 10 to 20 minutes
Standard cryotherapy protocols recommend 10 to 20 minute applications to achieve therapeutic cooling of superficial tissue while minimizing risk of frostbite or nerve injury.
Q10. An athletic trainer is selecting therapeutic ultrasound settings to promote tissue healing in a subacute soft tissue injury without producing a significant thermal effect. Which duty cycle setting is most appropriate?
Correct answer: D. Pulsed, 20% duty cycle
A pulsed duty cycle, such as 20%, is used for nonthermal effects like promoting tissue repair, while continuous mode at higher intensities produces a thermal effect used for chronic conditions or increasing tissue extensibility.
Exam facts and objectives sourced from the official BOC (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer) certification page. Last reviewed June 2026.
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