The ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam has 140 multiple-choice questions in a four-hour, closed-book session. It tests geology knowledge typically acquired in an undergraduate programme. Build your preparation around all eight official content domains, and confirm eligibility and registration with your state geology board.
Start with your state geology board
ASBOG develops the national geology examinations; individual state boards decide eligibility and grant licences.
The FG focuses on academic fundamentals. The separate Practice of Geology (PG) exam focuses on knowledge gained through professional practice. Passing FG alone does not make you a licensed geologist.
Contact the board where you intend to seek licensure for education requirements, filing deadlines and the application sequence. ASBOG’s registration guidance includes a preliminary Prometric registration step for Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota and Utah; follow the current instructions for your own state.
Once authorised to test, use the registration and scheduling instructions sent to you. Check the admission document, testing location and payment deadline before finalising arrangements.
Official sources: ASBOG homepage (asbog.org) — Candidate Resources; Fall 2026 computer-based examinations; click — https://asbog.org/candidates/ASBOG-Candidate%20Handbook-01262024.pdf
What should you expect in the exam?
FG is a computer-based examination with 140 multiple-choice questions and a four-hour testing session. The handbook describes it as closed-book.
A scaled score of 70 is the passing standard. It is not the same as answering 70% of questions correctly: ASBOG adjusts results for the difficulty of the examination form.
The published handbook lists an FG fee of $200 plus a $75 seat fee per exam part. State application charges may be additional. Check the amount in your current board and registration instructions before payment.
Read the handbook’s current permitted-calculator and materials rules, and check your admission instructions for identification and arrival requirements.
Official sources: click — https://asbog.org/candidates/ASBOG-Candidate%20Handbook-01262024.pdf
Review all eight FG content domains
The 2023 task-analysis blueprint has applied since the October 2023 administration. Use its task statements and knowledge-base lists to check the scope of your materials.
The weights show the relative emphasis across the examination. Start with a diagnostic review, then combine those weights with your own gaps when allocating study time.
| FG content domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| A. General Geology and Geological Investigations | 17% |
| B. Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry | 12% |
| C. Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Paleontology | 11% |
| D. Geomorphology and Surficial Processes | 14% |
| E. Structure, Tectonics, and Seismology | 12% |
| F. Hydrogeology | 13% |
| G. Engineering Geology | 12% |
| H. Mineral and Energy Resources | 9% |
Official sources: FG & PG 2023 TAS — Test Blueprints (ASBOG PDF) — Table 1, FG Test Blueprint; Figure 1; 2023 Task Analysis Survey Summary Report (September 2025) — Procedures; FG and PG Test Blueprints; Knowledge Base
Turn the task statements into practice
The blueprint tells you both the subject matter and what you should be able to do with it.
For example, Domain A includes finding and interpreting geological information, field documentation, coordinate systems, map scale, mapping and geological sections. Its knowledge base provides a foundation for the other domains. The blueprint marks Project Planning and Development as PG only; do not treat it as an FG task.
For each FG domain, list the tasks you can explain or solve and those you need to revisit. Practise using maps, sections, data and calculations where the task calls for them, rather than relying entirely on definition recall.
Work the FG sample questions and answer key in Appendix 3 of the Candidate Handbook. Review why an answer follows from the information provided, then record the knowledge or calculation step behind each error. This is study advice, not a prescribed ASBOG study schedule.
Official sources: FG & PG 2023 TAS — Test Blueprints (ASBOG PDF) — Table 1, FG Test Blueprint; Figure 1; click — https://asbog.org/candidates/ASBOG-Candidate%20Handbook-01262024.pdf
Practice: convert map measurements into distance
This original calculation practises the blueprint’s map-scale and distance tasks. Assume each map is printed at its stated scale, without resizing or distortion.
A scale of 1:24,000 means one map unit represents 24,000 of the same units horizontally on the ground. The calculation below concerns horizontal mapped distance, not the length of a route over three-dimensional terrain.
Practice exercise
On a map printed at 1:24,000, two points are 3.5 inches apart in a straight line. What horizontal ground distance does this represent in feet? On a separate map printed at 1:63,360, two points are also 3.5 inches apart. What horizontal distance does that represent in miles? Use 12 inches = 1 foot and 5,280 feet = 1 mile.
Show answer
The first distance is 7,000 feet. The second is 3.5 miles.
For the first map, 3.5 × 24,000 = 84,000 ground inches, then 84,000 ÷ 12 = 7,000 feet. For the second, 63,360 inches = 5,280 feet = 1 mile, so each map inch represents one mile and 3.5 inches represents 3.5 miles. Always keep the units consistent and check that the printed scale still applies to the map you measure.
Official sources: FG & PG 2023 TAS — Test Blueprints (ASBOG PDF) — Table 1, FG Test Blueprint; Figure 1
Use official resources and check course claims
Start with the FG blueprint and Candidate Handbook. ASBOG’s own preparation course is optional and does not guarantee a pass.
ASBOG states that it does not endorse commercial exam-preparation courses or publications other than its official FG preparation course. Check claims of official affiliation before purchasing materials.
A forum discussion may help identify a question to investigate, but your state board and current examination instructions determine your application and test-day requirements.
Official sources: ASBOG homepage (asbog.org) — Candidate Resources; Fall 2026 computer-based examinations; click — https://asbog.org/candidates/ASBOG-Candidate%20Handbook-01262024.pdf
Your FG preparation checklist
Use this checklist to connect study coverage with the practical requirements for taking the exam.
- Confirm state eligibility, filing deadlines and any preliminary registration step.
- Download the full FG blueprint and mark coverage across all eight domains.
- Work the official sample questions and review the reasoning behind errors.
- Practise relevant map, section, data and calculation tasks with explicit units.
- Check current fees, permitted materials, identification and admission instructions.
- Use timed practice to manage the four-hour session.
Official sources: ASBOG homepage (asbog.org) — Candidate Resources; Fall 2026 computer-based examinations; FG & PG 2023 TAS — Test Blueprints (ASBOG PDF) — Table 1, FG Test Blueprint; Figure 1; click — https://asbog.org/candidates/ASBOG-Candidate%20Handbook-01262024.pdf
Official sources
Facts checked: