Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination Syllabus
A structured syllabus for CONO Part 2 preparation, organized by exam blueprint domains, modality topics, clinical systems, condition categories, patient populations, and mock exam distribution.
The exam is planned around 200 multiple-choice questions with a mixture of case-based and stand-alone items.
This page is for educational preparation and BoardQBank syllabus mapping.
Quick Summary
Assessment & Diagnosis
60–68
Approximately 30–34% of a 200-question examination.
Modalities
110–118
Approximately 55–59% of the examination and the largest preparation area.
Critical Care & Public Health
18–26
Approximately 9–13% of the examination, focused on safety and public protection.
1. Exam Blueprint: 200-MCQ Structure
CONO Part 2 preparation should be organized around three major blueprint domains. The most heavily tested domain is Modalities.
| Domain | Blueprint Weight | Approximate Questions out of 200 | Preparation Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment & Diagnosis | 30–34% | 60–68 MCQs | Clinical reasoning, labs, imaging, differential diagnosis, red flags. |
| Modalities | 55–59% | 110–118 MCQs | Highest priority: treatment selection, safety, contraindications, interactions. |
| Critical Care & Public Health | 9–13% | 18–26 MCQs | Emergency recognition, EMS referral, CPR/BLS, oxygen, infection control, reporting. |
2. Assessment & Diagnosis Syllabus
Blueprint weight: 30–34% = approximately 60–68 MCQs out of 200.
A. Patient Evaluation
- Medical history and psychosocial history.
- Ethical doctor-patient interaction.
- Physical examination and focused examination selection.
- Appropriate laboratory test selection.
- Specimen collection and preparation.
- Appropriate imaging study selection.
B. Acute and Chronic Conditions
- Risk factors, signs, symptoms, and comorbidities.
- Pathogenesis and etiology.
- Acute versus chronic disease recognition.
- Most likely diagnosis and important differential diagnoses.
- Red flags requiring urgent referral or emergency care.
C. Interpretation of Findings
- Physical exam findings.
- CBC, CMP, thyroid, iron, B12, glucose, HbA1c, lipid, urinalysis, inflammatory markers.
- Factors that interfere with laboratory results.
- Basic imaging interpretation and imaging selection.
- Complications, sequelae, prognosis, and monitoring.
D. Evidence-Informed Practice
- Research interpretation.
- Critique of clinical research studies.
- Clinical significance versus statistical significance.
- Applying research findings to patient care.
Practical Assessment & Diagnosis System Distribution
| System / Clinical Area | Approximate MCQs in a 60–68 Question Block | High-Yield Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular / Vascular | 6–8 | Chest pain, hypertension, heart failure, DVT/PE suspicion, stroke risk. |
| Infectious Disease | 6–8 | Fever, sepsis red flags, TB, UTI, pneumonia, meningitis warning signs. |
| Endocrine / Metabolic | 7–9 | Diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disease, electrolyte disorders. |
| GI / Hepatobiliary | 5–7 | Abdominal pain, liver enzymes, gallbladder disease, GI bleeding. |
| Respiratory | 4–6 | Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, hypoxia, pulmonary embolism suspicion. |
| Neurology | 4–6 | Headache red flags, seizure, neuropathy, focal neurological deficit. |
| Musculoskeletal / Rheumatology / Autoimmune | 6–8 | Joint pain, inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune screening, orthopedic tests. |
| Renal / GU / Reproductive | 5–7 | Urinalysis, renal function, pregnancy red flags, pelvic pain, STI risk. |
| Pediatrics / Developmental | 4–6 | Growth, fever, dehydration, developmental delay, safeguarding concerns. |
| Psychiatric / Psychosomatic | 4–6 | Suicide risk, anxiety, depression, somatic symptom presentations. |
| Oncology / Neoplastic Red Flags | 3–5 | Unexplained weight loss, bleeding, mass, night sweats, screening red flags. |
| Toxic / Environmental / Trauma | 3–5 | Poisoning, occupational exposure, head injury, fracture red flags. |
3. Modalities Syllabus
Blueprint weight: 55–59% = approximately 110–118 MCQs out of 200.
Highest-yield rule: Modalities questions are usually applied to patient cases.
Focus on correct treatment selection, safety, contraindications, adverse effects, interactions,
posology, route, monitoring, and referral risk.
| Modality Topic | Tested Content | Practical Target in 200-MCQ Mock |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Medicine | Safety, side effects, contraindications, drug-herb interactions, toxicity, pharmacognosy, therapeutic effects, indications, mechanisms, route, posology, prescribing abbreviations. | 14–16 |
| Homeopathy | Acute prescribing, classical Hahnemannian prescribing, keynotes, timing, sidedness, intensity, aggravating and ameliorating factors, potency, dosing, abbreviations. | 12–14 |
| Clinical Nutrition / Nutraceuticals | Nutritional assessment, intake, absorption, utilization, loss, safety, side effects, contraindications, interactions, toxicity, bioavailability, food sources, macronutrients, micronutrients. | 22–24 |
| Therapeutic Diets | Low glycemic, anti-inflammatory, elimination, vegetarian/vegan, Candida diet, indications, contraindications, diet counselling, food sources of nutrients. | Included mainly with nutrition |
| Physical Medicine | Orthopedic tests, osseous manipulation, soft tissue manipulation, TENS, interferential current, micro-current, diathermy, light therapy, ultrasound, traction, compression, hydrotherapy, exercise. | 17–19 |
| Counselling & Health Psychology | Counselling principles, behaviour change, lifestyle counselling, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, mind-body techniques, lifespan and developmental issues, psychological tools. | 10–12 |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine | Ten questions, pulse, tongue, eight principles, vital substances, Zang-Fu organs, meridians, five elements, pattern diagnosis. | Combined with acupuncture and Chinese formulas |
| Chinese Patent Herbal Formulas | Safety, side effects, contraindications, interactions, toxicity, formula selection based on Zang-Fu diagnosis, wrong-formula traps, pregnancy caution, heat/cold/excess/deficiency matching. | 6–10 direct or indirect questions |
| Acupuncture | Point selection, point location, angulation, depth, clean needle technique, safety, side effects, contraindications, moxa, cupping, electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture. | Combined with TCM and Chinese formulas |
| Pharmacotherapy | Drug safety, side effects, contraindications, interactions, toxicity, therapeutic effects, indications, mechanisms, route, therapeutic drug monitoring. | 8–12 |
Recommended Modalities Mock Distribution
| Topic | MCQs |
|---|---|
| Botanical Medicine | 16 |
| Homeopathy | 14 |
| Clinical Nutrition / Nutraceuticals / Diets | 24 |
| Physical Medicine | 18 |
| Counselling / Health Psychology | 12 |
| TCM / Acupuncture / Chinese Patent Formulas | 24 |
| Pharmacotherapy | 10 |
| Total Modalities | 118 |
Chinese Patent Herbal Formulas: High-Yield Preparation
Chinese patent formulas are tested under Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modalities. The most important exam skills are matching formula to Zang-Fu pattern and identifying safety issues.
What to know
- Pattern-to-formula matching.
- Contraindications and cautions.
- Adverse effects and toxicity risk.
- Drug-herb and herb-condition interactions.
- Pregnancy caution, moving-blood formulas, purging formulas, warming formulas.
Practice question types
- Most appropriate formula for a Zang-Fu pattern.
- Wrong-formula trap with similar symptoms.
- Formula safety in pregnancy, hypertension, anticoagulant use, liver disease, kidney disease.
- Best next step when red flags are present.
4. Critical Care & Public Health Syllabus
Blueprint weight: 9–13% = approximately 18–26 MCQs out of 200.
A. Critical Care
- Identify high-risk patients.
- Identify critical and unstable conditions.
- Emergency referral and EMS activation.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation principles.
- Basic life support principles.
- Oxygen administration and patient monitoring.
B. Public Health and Safety
- Sterilization and disinfection.
- Universal precautions.
- Sharps safety and biohazardous materials.
- Blood and body fluid exposure management.
- Communicable disease counselling.
- Communicable disease reporting to public health.
- Adverse reaction reporting to Health Canada.
High-Yield Emergency Systems
| System | High-Yield Examples |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular / Vascular | Myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, hypertensive emergency, stroke/TIA, DVT/PE. |
| Respiratory | Severe asthma, anaphylaxis, hypoxia, respiratory distress. |
| Infectious Disease | Sepsis, meningitis, measles, tuberculosis, reportable infections. |
| Endocrine / Metabolic | Hypoglycemia, DKA, adrenal crisis, severe electrolyte abnormality. |
| Neurology | Stroke, seizure, altered level of consciousness, severe headache red flags. |
| Trauma / Toxicology | Head injury, fracture red flags, poisoning, toxic exposure. |
| Pregnancy / Pediatrics | Ectopic pregnancy red flags, preeclampsia, dehydration, child abuse or safeguarding concerns. |
| Psychiatric / Safety | Suicide risk, violence risk, duty to protect and report. |
5. Condition Categories Tested
CONO-style questions may come from 12 condition categories. These categories cut across multiple organ systems.
| Condition Category | Blueprint Weight | Approximate MCQs out of 200 |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular | 9–11% | 18–22 |
| Infectious | 9–11% | 18–22 |
| Neoplastic | 4–6% | 8–12 |
| Degenerative | 9–11% | 18–22 |
| Inflammatory / Immunologic | 9–11% | 18–22 |
| Congenital / Developmental | 6–8% | 12–16 |
| Autoimmune | 8–10% | 16–20 |
| Toxic / Environmental | 6–8% | 12–16 |
| Traumatic | 4–6% | 8–12 |
| Endocrine | 9–11% | 18–22 |
| Metabolic | 6–8% | 12–16 |
| Psychosomatic / Psychiatric | 9–11% | 18–22 |
6. Patient Population, Item Type, and Cognitive Level
Patient Population
- Pediatric, 0–14 years: 15–25%.
- Adult, 15–49 years: 25–35%.
- Older adult, 50–65 years: 25–35%.
- Geriatric, over 65 years: 15–25%.
Question Type
- Independent stand-alone MCQs: 28–32%.
- Case-based MCQs: 68–72%.
Cognitive Level
- Knowledge / Comprehension: 15–25%.
- Application: 45–55%.
- Critical Thinking: 25–35%.
7. Reference Guide Testable Content Lists
The reference guide content should be used as a checklist for BoardQBank topic mapping and practice question development.
Laboratory tests
Imaging studies
Botanical medicines
Homeopathic preparations
Nutraceuticals
Therapeutic diets
Orthopedic tests
Psychological assessment tools
Psychological therapies
Zang-Fu pathologies
Chinese patent herbal formulas
Acupuncture points
Pharmaceuticals
Sample questions
8. BoardQBank 200-MCQ Mock Exam Plan
A practical CONO-style full mock exam can be built using the following distribution.
| Section | MCQs |
|---|---|
| Assessment & Diagnosis | 68 |
| Modalities | 112 |
| Critical Care & Public Health | 20 |
| Total | 200 |
Recommended Practice Bank Size
| Practice Module | Recommended Practice MCQs |
|---|---|
| Assessment & Diagnosis | 200–300 |
| Modalities | 300–500 |
| Chinese Patent Herbal Formulas | 100 |
| Acupuncture / TCM | 150–200 |
| Botanical Medicine | 100–150 |
| Homeopathy | 100 |
| Nutrition / Nutraceuticals | 150–200 |
| Physical Medicine | 100–150 |
| Critical Care & Public Health | 100 |
| Full Mock Exams | Multiple 200-MCQ exams |
Study priority: Modalities safety and treatment selection first, then TCM/acupuncture/Chinese formulas,
nutrition and nutraceuticals, botanical interactions, Assessment & Diagnosis, and Critical Care/Public Health.
References
1. College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Clinical Sciences Examination Blueprint. Revised April 2026.
2. College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination Reference Guide.
3. College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Entry-to-Practice Examination information for Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination.