What Score Do I Need to Pass the ServSafe Manager Exam?
If you are preparing to take the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam, one of the first questions you may have is:
What score do I need to pass the ServSafe Manager exam?
The current passing score for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Examination is 70% or higher. ServSafe states that this means answering at least 56 of the 80 scored questions correctly. The exam contains 90 questions total, but 10 are unscored pilot questions used for research and development. That means you don't need to answer every question correctly to pass. With proper preparation and a good understanding of food safety principles, you can walk into the exam confident and prepared.
How Many Questions Are on the ServSafe Manager Exam?
The ServSafe Manager exam contains 90 multiple-choice questions.
Of those 90 questions:
80 questions are scored
10 questions are unscored pilot questions
You need at least 56 correct answers out of the 80 scored questions
The passing score is 70% or higher
Because the 10 pilot questions are not identified to the test taker, you should answer all 90 questions to the best of your ability.
Is the ServSafe Manager Exam Difficult?
The difficulty of the exam can vary from person to person.
People who have experience working in restaurants or food service may already be familiar with many of the concepts covered on the exam. However, having restaurant experience does not necessarily mean you know all of the food safety rules and terminology tested on the certification examination.
The exam covers important food safety subjects including:
Foodborne illness
Personal hygiene
Preventing cross-contamination
Time and temperature control
Cooking temperatures
Cooling and reheating
Food storage
Cleaning and sanitizing
Pest prevention
Receiving food
Employee health
Food safety management
The ServSafe Manager exam is multiple choice.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Passing?
The best way to prepare is to understand the why behind food safety rules rather than simply memorizing answers.
Pay particular attention to:
1. Temperature Control
Know the important food safety temperatures and understand why foods must be cooked, cooled, reheated, held, and stored properly.
2. Cross-Contamination
Understand how bacteria and allergens can be transferred from one food, surface, utensil, or person to another.
3. Personal Hygiene
Know when employees must wash their hands, when they must be restricted or excluded from work, and how personal hygiene affects food safety.
4. Cleaning and Sanitizing
Understand the difference between cleaning and sanitizing and know when food-contact surfaces need to be cleaned and sanitized.
5. Foodborne Illness
Learn the major foodborne pathogens, symptoms, sources, and conditions that allow microorganisms to grow.
6. Management Responsibilities
The ServSafe Manager exam is not simply about knowing how to handle food. It also focuses on the responsibilities of managers and supervisors in maintaining a safe food operation.
What Happens If I Don't Pass?
Don't panic if you don't pass the first time.
ServSafe has specific retesting requirements, and state or local regulatory requirements can also affect certification. ServSafe recommends checking the applicable requirements for your state or local health department.
The best approach is to use your exam experience to identify the areas where you need additional study and then prepare before retesting.
When Do I Get My ServSafe Exam Results?
For online exams, results are generally available almost immediately after the instructor or proctor submits the exam for grading.
For print exams, ServSafe states that results are generally posted within 3–4 business days after the National Restaurant Association receives the answer sheets.
Once you successfully pass, you can access your ServSafe certificate through your ServSafe account.
Do I Need More Than Just a Passing Score?
A passing score is an important part of becoming ServSafe Food Safety certified, but local regulatory requirements still matter.
ServSafe states that for the certification to be recognized by a state or local health department, you must also meet the applicable local requirements. Those requirements can include completing approved food safety training in addition to passing the certification examination.
If you operate a restaurant or food establishment in New York or Connecticut, it is important to understand the requirements that apply to your specific location.
Get Prepared and Get Certified with Westchester Food Safety
Preparing for the ServSafe Manager exam doesn't have to be stressful.
Westchester Food Safety provides live ServSafe Food Manager training and certification for restaurant owners, managers, and food service professionals throughout the New York and Connecticut Tri-State Area.
Westchester Food Safety offers:
Live ServSafe Food Manager classes
ServSafe Manager Certification Exams
Course + Exam options
Exam-only options for eligible students
Training for first-time and repeat test takers
Live instructor-led training
Convenient testing in Rye, NY
Service throughout Westchester County, Fairfield County, Rockland County, Bergen County, and surrounding areas
Private group training for businesses
On-site training options for qualifying groups
Westchester Food Safety currently offers live classes and exams in Rye, NY, with course-and-exam sessions designed to help students complete their certification in one day.
The goal isn't just to help you pass a test. It's to help you understand food safety, feel confident taking the exam, and bring that knowledge back to your workplace.
Ready to Get Certified?
If you're searching for a ServSafe class in Westchester County, NY, ServSafe certification near Greenwich or Stamford, CT, or a convenient Food Manager Certification course in the Tri-State Area, Westchester Food Safety can help.
Train. Test. Get Certified.
Contact Westchester Food Safety to find an upcoming live ServSafe Food Manager class and exam.
Westchester Food Safety — Your Local Leader in Food Safety.
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