2025 MOCA-PEDS Learning Objectives and Featured Readings
About MOCA-PEDS Learning Objectives and Featured Readings
The 2025 MOCA-Peds (Maintenance of Certification Assessment for Pediatrics) learning objectives and featured readings have been published by the ABP and serve as the foundation for preparation.
Each year, the ABP releases updated learning objectives and featured readings ahead of the MOCA-Peds assessment year. This early release allows pediatricians to begin preparing for topics they may not encounter regularly in practice. Throughout the year, MOCA-Peds delivers up to 20 questions per quarter, which are drawn from the learning objectives and featured readings. These questions represent the breadth of pediatric knowledge, though not all objectives may be directly assessed.
When the ABP releases its learning objectives and featured readings, I begin developing content for each topic. I aim to create concise summaries that are no more than three pages long. These summaries include the highest-yield and most testable content, guided by years of experience helping thousands of pediatricians attain and maintain board certification.
The results have been tremendous and are deeply appreciated by the general pediatrician community. It is rewarding to not only deepen my own understanding of the current world of pediatrics but also to support other pediatricians. I believe so strongly in your ability to succeed with the MOCA-PBR Study Guide & Test Companion that I offer a quarterly pass money-back guarantee.
What Do the 2025 MOCA-PEDS Assessments Cover?
The MOCA-Peds questions are based on a total of 45 learning objectives. Additionally, there are featured readings, which are peer-reviewed journal articles or guidelines. Questions derived from the featured readings will begin appearing starting in the second quarter and may be included in any subsequent quarter throughout the year. These readings complement the learning objectives and form part of the assessed content.
The ABP provides learning objectives and featured readings to help pediatricians focus their preparation on the most relevant topics for the year ahead. With the flexibility to answer questions daily or all at once at the end of the quarter, participants can plan their approach to fit their schedule. Focused preparation is essential to navigate the timed assessments and use available resources effectively.
My Pro Tips for MOCA-PEDS Questions
- Plan Ahead: Review the 45 learning objectives and featured readings before starting Quarter 1. Use tools like PBR's Quick Reference Guide to maximize efficiency during timed questions.
- Practice Repetition: Build a schedule to revisit key material multiple times throughout the year, ensuring mastery before each assessment.
- Learn from Feedback: MOCA-Peds provides detailed feedback on your answers. Pay special attention to the explanations for questions you answer confidently but missed. These questions are more likely to appear again in later quarters.
- Build a Community: Join PBR's online community or create your own network of accountability partnerships. These connections can boost morale and deepen understanding.
2025 MOCA-PEDS Learning Objectives
- Counsel parents on routine neonatal medications and immunizations.
- Distinguish between cardiac and non-cardiac causes of chest pain and evaluate appropriately.
- Evaluate and manage a patient with eye redness.
- Evaluate and manage a patient with supraventricular tachycardia.
- Evaluate and manage a patient with thermal burns.
- Identify the child at risk for caregiver-fabricated illness and evaluate appropriately.
- Know the differential diagnosis and evaluation of emesis in an infant.
- Know the differential diagnosis of wheezing.
- Manage a child with primary enuresis.
- Manage different types of shock.
- Plan the evaluation of a child with hypertension.
- Provide anticipatory guidance regarding safety and injury prevention for adolescents.
- Recognize and apply ethical principles regarding minors as decision-makers.
- Recognize and manage postpartum depression.
- Recognize findings that would suggest an immunodeficiency and plan the initial evaluation.
- Recognize situations in which various immunizations may be contraindicated and manage patients appropriately.
- Recognize various inheritance patterns.
- Recognize, evaluate, and manage both normal and atypical development of a 9- to 12-month-old infant (social, emotional, language, gross motor, and fine motor).
- Recognize, evaluate, and manage health issues in an infant born to a mother with a substance use disorder.
- Recognize, evaluate, and manage opioid use disorder.
- Understand and provide guidance to patients regarding methods of contraception.
- Understand cultural and other factors that may affect medication adherence.
- Understand how to develop a quality improvement project in clinical practice.
- Understand return to activity criteria following an illness and advise patients appropriately.
- Understand screening, evaluation, and management of suicide risk.
- Understand the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of atopic dermatitis.
- Understand the clinical presentation and evaluation of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Understand the diagnosis and management of influenza.
- Understand the differential diagnosis and evaluation of a neck mass.
- Understand the differential diagnosis and evaluation of a patient with short stature.
- Understand the differential diagnosis and evaluation of jaundice beyond the neonatal period.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of a child with persistent rhinitis.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of a patient with growth faltering (failure to thrive).
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of anemia.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of fever without a source in children 3 to 36 months of age.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of hair loss.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of primary amenorrhea.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of proteinuria.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of stridor.
- Understand the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of vaginal discharge in an adolescent.
- Understand the evaluation and management of lower extremity anomalies in a young child (e.g., in-toeing, bowing, metatarsus adductus).
- Understand the management of a patient with hydrocephalus/ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
- Understand the presentation, evaluation, and management of different types of headaches.
- Understand, evaluate, and manage a patient with possible tick-borne illness.
- Understand, evaluate, and manage issues with both breast-feeding and formula feeding in infants.
2025 MOCA-PEDS Featured Readings
These are the 2025 MOCA-Peds featured readings for General Pediatrics:
Banerji A, Solensky R, Phillips EJ, Khan DA. Drug Allergy Practice Parameter Updates to Incorporate Into Your Clinical Practice. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023 Feb;11(2):356-368.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.12.002. Epub 2022 Dec 20. Review. PubMed PMID: 36563781. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36563781/
Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 38300170. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38300170/
The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline For The Treatment Of Patients With Eating Disorders, Fourth Edition. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890424865
Why Choose MOCA-PBR?
For me, the MOCA-Peds format exemplifies the future of professional growth. It's not just about passing an exam. It ensures pediatricians stay current with the ever-evolving world of pediatric medicine. By integrating continuous learning with certification, it helps all pediatricians stay informed and serve their patients better.
And with tools like the MOCA-PBR Study Guide & Test Companion and PBR’s members’ only online community, you can approach this exam with confidence and clarity.
Ready to start your MOCA-Peds journey? Let PBR be your partner in success. Explore our full suite of resources and take the stress out of board certification.
If you're ready to move forward with confidence, PBR offers the high-yield resources and structured approach you need to pass the boards and take the next step in your career. Let's tackle this journey together. Contact my team today and find out how we can help you succeed.
Pediatrics Board Review is an all-in-one study service guide designed for pediatricians by board-certified pediatricians. Dr. Ashish Goyal has been helping pediatricians pass their initial certification exams and maintain their certification since 2011. Have questions?
