Exam day
Timetables
The exam timetable is dependent on the number of candidates.
We'll notify the candidates of the exam timetables as soon as possible after applications close.
Exact times are confirmed in your candidate allocation letter.
For exam confidentiality, early session candidates will remain on-site until the next group arrives, which may take up to 30 minutes. Mobile phones or any communication device must be off during this time. The Chief Examiner will inform you when you can leave.
Bring
- printed or digital copy of your candidate allocation letter confirming your name, candidate number, session time and venue
- current photo ID with your full name and signature, for example a passport or driver licence – digital IDs are not accepted
- blue or black ballpoint pens (no pencils, gel or felt-tip pens)
- 1 x stethoscope
- 1 x basic analogue watch
Tip: Dress appropriately. Consider the weather conditions, the venue and your comfort while examining patients. You don’t need to wear a suit, but you should look professional.
On sign-in, you receive an ID badge and ID stickers. You'll also get a notepad and pen for note-taking for the OSCE Stations.
Not permitted during the exam
- written material (other than your candidate allocation letter)
- calculators
- electronic devices (including ‘smart’ watches and communication devices)
- food or beverages
- all other belongings (for example, bags)
Clinical assessment equipment is provided at each station. You can't bring your own equipment or aids into the assessment area unless you were granted special consideration before the exam.
During the exam, all mobile phones, smart watches, electronic devices etc must be switched off and placed in your bag. Your bag will be securely stored on-site. If you’re found with one of these devices on you during the exam, an incident report will be completed, you’ll be automatically disqualified and immediately escorted out of the venue.
Completing the exam
You rotate through the stations, each one in a separate room. Invigilators will guide you from station to station. Stations may occur in any order.
An invigilator instructs you when reading time starts and ends, and when to enter the room. Examiners time the overall station length however you should not rely on them to keep pace of your progress.
OSCE stations
The clinical scenario is printed on a laminated sheet, attached by a lanyard under your seat. After this announcement: 'You may now begin reading', you have 5 minutes to read it and familiarise yourself with the scenario. You can make notes on the notepad provided. The same information is also available inside the station.
The examiners introduce themselves and the simulated patient and provide instructions on the station before starting the timer.
At the 18-minute mark, if you have not already finished the history-taking section, the examiners will indicate for you to stop and move on to their follow-up questions.
At the 26-minute mark, the examiners will move on to the final section of the assessment. This may be presented by the examiners or the simulated patient.
When leaving the station, hand your notes to the examiners and take the notepad with you. The notepad must be handed back to RACP staff at the conclusion of the examination.
Clinical stations
A brief patient description is printed on a laminated sheet, attached by a lanyard under your seat. After this announcement: 'You may now begin reading', you have 2 minutes to read it. The same information is available inside the station.
The examiners introduce themselves and the patient before starting the timer.
At the 10-minute mark, if you haven't already finished examining the patient, the examiners will indicate for you to stop and move on to their follow-up questions.
EBA stations
There is no pre-reading material.
The examiners introduce themselves and provide instructions on the station before starting the timer.
Dependant on your progression through the questions, examiners may move you along in accordance with their instructions to ensure you have time to complete all the questions within the allocated time.
Completing a station early
If you complete a station in under the designated time, an examiner will ask if you have anything to add. If not, you can leave and sit outside the same station until the invigilator instructs you to move on.
You can’t re-enter a station once you’ve left.
Schedule breaks
There are regular breaks in your exam schedule. An invigilator will lead you to a break room. The room contains some mindfulness activities which you may engage with, if desired.
Inappropriate clinical exams
If you perform an inappropriate physical examination and the patient is at risk of being hurt, the examiners will warn you to modify your technique. If you continue to conduct an inappropriate exam, they'll stop you and move on to the next question.
The examiners can give the physical examination component of the station a 0 score. All other questions are marked on their own merit.
Hand hygiene
To maintain health and safety standards, you must wash or sanitise your hands before and after physical examinations. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel is provided either outside or inside the stations.
Roles
Leaving the exam
After the exam is finished and before you depart, the Chief Examiner provides a debrief and notes technical or procedural issues.
Notebooks are collected and personal belongings returned, and you are allowed to leave.
Misadventure
If you arrive up to 30 minutes late, you can attempt the exam, but you won’t get additional time.
If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you won’t be permitted to enter the exam.
Variation in the exam day procedure is advised in the Chief Examiner’s pre-exam brief. If circumstances require a procedure change during the exam, we give clear instructions.
Issues on exam day
If you experience issues leading up to the exam or on exam day that prevent you from attending, contact us. This may include illness, natural disasters or personal/family issues.
If you arrive up to 30 minutes late, you can attempt the exam but you won’t get additional time.
If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you won’t be permitted to enter the exam.
Variation in the exam day procedure is advised in the Chief Examiner’s pre-exam brief. If circumstances require a procedure change during the exam, we give clear instructions.
Note: hospitals aren't soundproof, so sound may pass through walls and doors. Efforts are made to minimise impact, and exam staff monitor and address noise levels as needed.
Conduct
Exam materials and content are confidential. You must sign a confidentiality agreement before the exam.
The following is considered academic misconduct:
- removing exam materials from the venue
- wilfully damaging or interfering with a station or equipment
- reproducing or distributing the contents of exam material
- discussing your performance or details of the exam with the ‘patients’, observers, examiners or exam organising member during or after the exam
- communicating exam content with candidates still to sit the exam
For more information, see the Academic Integrity in Training Policy