Apply

Eligibility

To be eligible to sit the exam, you must:

• be accepted in Rehabilitation Medicine Advanced Training in an accredited and/or approved training position or on an approved training interruption
• have current medical registration
• apply by the due date
• pay any outstanding College fees
• not have exceeded the exam attempt limit and comply with all other Progression Through Training Policy requirements.

If you have outstanding College fees, you’re ineligible to sit the exam. See College Fees Terms and Conditions.

Exam attempt limit and progression

You can't continue advanced training if you exceed the exam attempt limit, which is based on when you commenced training.

See the Progression Through Training Policy for more information about exam attempts.

Overseas Trained Physicians

Check your eligibility requirements with your overseas trained physicians case officer before applying.

Application process

Submit your application

The application form will be available here closer to the date.

Application confirmation

When your application is processed, you'll receive an email confirmation. If you don't receive this, check your junk/spam folders and contact us if it’s not there.

Payment

Once applications have closed, we'll email you a link to pay the exam fee and any other outstanding fees. Check your preferred contact details are up to date in MyRACP for important exam communications and to receive updates on exam day.

Final confirmation

You'll receive a candidate allocation email when your eligibility has been finalised. This confirms your exam registration, venue and session time.

Withdrawal and refund

Withdrawals are not counted as exam attempts. You may withdraw up to the start of the exam by contacting the College. Refund rules apply, and details are outlined in the College Fees Terms and Conditions.

Withdrawal on medical or compassionate grounds may be eligible for a refund. To request this, submit the required application form under the Special Consideration for Assessment Policy. Refund amounts depend on the timing of your withdrawal, as detailed in the College Fees Terms and Conditions.

Candidates who withdraw can apply to sit the exam the following year, provided eligibility requirements are met. Application fees are not carried over from one year to the next.

To withdraw from the exam, contact faculty.examinations@racp.edu.au

Prepare

Exam format

10 clinical stations | 4 min reading time | 10 min station time | About 3 hours

The exam follows the objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) format and includes at least 3 static (short answer) stations. You'll progress through a series of stations, each presenting a different clinical scenario.

The content is carefully selected to test your competence in foundational rehabilitation medicine concepts, clinical skills and knowledge areas, which are outlined in the focus section below.

Focus

You must demonstrate that you're able to perform the following clinical tasks competently and/or analyse and interpret findings to manage patient outcomes while embodying professional behaviours (as per the Professional Practice Framework).

The new curriculum standards detail Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) that outline the essential work tasks trainees will need to be able to perform in the workplace, including clinical tasks.

Clinical tasks could include:

• communication and counselling skills | EPA 7 and 8
• history-taking | EPA 4
• physical examination | EPA 4
• use and interpretation of diagnostic tests | EPA 4 and 8
• diagnostic decision-making | EPA 4, 7 and 8
• use of pharmacological and physical therapies | EPA 4 and 8
• clinical reasoning and problem-solving | EPA 4 and 9
• multi-disciplinary management | EPA 1, 3, 5, 6 and 9
• preventative strategies | EPA 3, 4 and 9

Foundational rehabilitation concepts that you should be familiar with include:

• biomedical sciences
• applied anatomy and physiology
• general medical and surgical knowledge
• how medical illness can alter function across multiple domains, as described within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Framework
• understanding and applying a biopsychosocial approach to holistic patient management
• the intersection between rehabilitation medicine physicians and other professions within the interdisciplinary team, including Allied Health and nursing roles

All Learning Goals in the new curriculum standards are potentially assessable. The following Learning Goals in the Rehabilitation Medicine (adult) new curriculum standards are priority assessment areas:

• Competencies (which are organised by the domains of the Professional Practice Framework)
• Knowledge Guides:
• Stroke management
• Neurological conditions
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• Cardiac and respiratory conditions
• Rehabilitation of older people
• Pain

This stage of training assumes the medical and anatomical knowledge expected of a medical graduate with 2 years of postgraduate experience in the workplace. The progression criteria listed in the Rehabilitation Medicine (adult) Learning, Teaching, and Assessment programs outline the expected level at entry into training for each Learning Goal.

Standard required

You must apply the foundational concepts listed in the focus areas, to the context of the Rehabilitation Medicine (adult) new Curriculum Standards Knowledge Guides. A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of subspeciality rehabilitation medicine concepts isn't expected for this exam.

Trainees in the PREP and new curriculum programs must meet the standard outlined in the Rehabilitation Medicine (adult) Learning, Teaching & Assessment Program. This standard is based on criteria relevant to the test format. This will take into account:  

• the knowledge and skills expected of a medical graduate with at least 2 years of postgraduate experience in the workplace
• that trainees are expected to complete this program requirement during their Specialty Entry Phase (first year of training).

Live stations

In live stations, you'll interact with examiners, patients and/or role players. Role players could act as clinical peers, patients or patient advocates.

You must demonstrate your knowledge of the topic and your capacity to interact with the role player or patient at the right level of engagement, using appropriate language.

There are 2 examiners involved in each evaluation. They may ask questions as part of a scenario or observe your clinical performance and interactions with patients or role players.

Static stations

In static stations, you'll review an investigation, report or recording. You'll provide short, written answers in the language you'd use in a patient’s file. The answer sheet prompts you to give a specific number of responses. If you provide extra responses, only the first answers up to the required number are marked (unless crossed out).

An invigilator or examiner is in the room to provide instructions, but they won’t directly observe your performance.

Rest stations

At least 2 rest stations are included in the exam schedule.

Preparation tips

Regular clinical activities in your training setting are the best preparation. Ask for feedback from your supervisor and/or colleagues on your clinical task performance. Refer to the standards outlined in the PCRS under resources.

Studying the focus, including foundational rehabilitation concepts and priority knowledge areas, is essential for success in this exam.

The AFRM Examinations Working Group and Faculty Assessment Committee have developed sample stations and marking guides (PDF) to aid your preparation. These materials are designed to support you in understanding the exam structure, format and standards, and allow you to practice your exam technique. 

A summary of the exam purpose, standard, format, preparation activities and examples of assessable content is available in the Preparation Resource (PDF). You can use this as a study tool and guide to understand potential exam stations.

Academic integrity

Some actions are seen as attempting to gain an unfair advantage and are in breach of academic integrity. For example, attempts to:

• find out who the examiners are
• contact potential examiners and seek guidance on improving performance
• contact examiners on exam day

Any actions that breach the Academic Integrity in Training Policy could lead to your disqualification and affect your progress through training.

Contact us with questions before or after the exam.

Timetable

The exam is held in 2 sessions. You're assigned either a morning or afternoon session. Exact times are confirmed in your candidate allocation email.

No changes can be made to exam session allocations after allocation emails have been distributed.

To protect exam confidentiality, morning candidates are held on-site until afternoon candidates arrive, which may be up to 30 minutes. You should factor this time into your travel arrangements. You may not access your mobile phone or any other communication device during this time. The Chief Examiner will advise when you may leave.

Bring

• Printed or digital copy of your candidate allocation email confirming your name, candidate number, session time and venue
• Current valid photo ID with your full name and signature, for example a passport or driver's licence (Digital valid photo ID is acceptable. A picture of your photo ID is not acceptable)
• Blue or black ballpoint pens (no pencils, gel or felt-tip pens)
• 1 x stethoscope
• 1 x basic analogue watch
• Water in a clear plastic bottle (optional)

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. Consider wearing layers to adjust to the room temperature.

On sign-in, you receive an ID badge and candidate ID stickers.

Not permitted

• Written material
• Calculators
• Electronic devices (including smartwatches 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're granted special consideration before the exam.

During the exam, all electronic devices like mobile phones and smartwatches must be switched off and placed in your bag. Your bag is 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 a station early

If you complete a station in under 10 minutes, an examiner will ask if you have anything to add.

You may use this time add to, or revise, any allowable response. The Candidate Information Sheet will specify if you aren’t permitted to return to a component or question once it's complete.

If you change a response in a revision of your answers, your revised response is considered final regardless of which answer is correct. 

If you have nothing further to add, you can leave and sit outside the same station until the bell rings for you to move on.

You can’t re-enter a station once you’ve left. 

General exam protocol

• When introducing yourself to the examiners and role players, you can use your own name or another of your choosing. Your name choice doesn’t affect your marks.
• The clinical scenario provides the setting for the station. A copy is also available inside the station on request.
• Role players and patients are matched as closely as possible to the description in the clinical scenario. However, occasionally they may be a different age or look different to the description. Focus on the information in the scenario and assume the role player or patient is as described.
• Unless specified, you can ask for any questions or information to be repeated. Information is repeated verbatim and not rephrased or otherwise modified.
• Take your candidate ID stickers with you when leaving the station.

Rest stations

There are at least 2 rest stations for you to regroup and use the bathroom (escorted by an invigilator). Otherwise, you must remain in the station for the full duration.

Mindfulness activities are available in the rest stations to engage in if desired.

Starting the exam at a rest station is avoided where possible.

Hand hygiene

To maintain health and safety standards, you must wash or sanitise your hands before and after each station.

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel is provided at each station.

Inappropriate examinations

You're expected to ask for the patient or role player's consent to examine them and to ask them to let you know if they experience any pain or discomfort. 

If you perform an inappropriate physical examination and the patient or role player is at risk of being hurt, the examiners warn you to modify your technique. If you continue to conduct an inappropriate exam, examiners 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.

Examiner and Observer Roles

Leaving the exam

After the exam is finished and before you depart, the Chief Examiner conducts a debrief and notes technical or procedural issues.

Personal belongings are returned, and you’re allowed to leave when advised.

Note: To protect exam confidentiality, morning candidates are held on-site until all afternoon candidates arrive. This may be for up to 30 minutes. You’re not permitted to access your mobile phones or any communication device during this time. The Chief Examiner will advise when you can leave.

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 be allowed 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, clear instructions will be provided.

Note: Hospitals aren’t soundproof, and as such, sound transmission may occur through walls and doors. Every effort is made to reduce any impact, and exam staff monitor noise levels and respond accordingly to any issues.

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 role players, observers, or examiners during or after the exam

For more information see the Academic Integrity in Training Policy.

A range of resources is available to help you prepare for the Entry Phase Exam (EPE) and understand the assessment requirements.

• EPE Sample Stations (PDF) - Member login required
• EPE Preparation resource (PDF)
• EPE Professional Competencies Rating Scale – Physical Examination (PDF)
• EPE Professional Competencies Rating Scale – Communication (PDF)
• EPE Professional Competencies Rating Scale – History Taking (PDF)
• Glossary of Examination Terms (PDF)
• RACP Examiner Code of Conduct (PDF)
• Rehabilitation Medicine (Adult) Curriculum Standards
• Education policies

AFRM resources

Explore a curated collection of learning materials developed for AFRM trainees, including videos, presentations, and recordings from past training events.

AFRM resources

RACP Online learning resources

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RACP Online Learning resources

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