Exam day
Example timetable
The exam is held in the morning.
| 9:15am |
Arrive and sign in |
| 9:50am |
Pre-exam brief by Chief Examiner
|
| 9:55am |
Seated outside first allocated station |
| 10am |
Exam begins |
| 12pm |
Exam ends |
| 12:10pm |
Post-exam de-brief by Chief Examiner |
Note: Exact times are confirmed in your candidate allocation letter.
Bring
- Printed copy of your candidate allocation letter confirming your candidate name, number, exam 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. Casual clothes, like shorts or thongs, are not acceptable.
On sign-in, you’ll receive an ID badge, timetable, and candidate ID stickers. You must wear the ID badge and carry the timetable and stickers throughout the exam.
Not permitted
- 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 cannot bring your own equipment or aids into the assessment area unless you were granted special consideration before the exam.
During the exam, all electronic devices such as mobile phones and smart watches 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
Stations are clearly marked with consecutive numbers. You rotate through the 10 clinical stations in order, each one in a separate room or office. Your timetable and the exam invigilators will guide you from station to station.
Five minutes before the exam starts, you’ll be seated outside your first station.
The clinical scenario is printed on a laminated sheet, attached by a lanyard under your seat. After this announcement: ‘You may now read the information sheet.’, you’ll have 3 minutes to read it and familiarise yourself with the scenario. The same information is available inside the station.
When the bell rings, enter the station. You have 8 minutes to complete it.
The bell rings again to mark the end of the station. Leave all papers and materials in the room except those you’re allowed to carry. Leave the room, move to the seat in front of the next station and begin reading immediately. Rotate through the stations in order after each bell.
Completing a station early
If you complete a station in under 8 minutes, an examiner will ask if you have anything else to add. If not, 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.
Rest station
There is 1 x rest station midway for you to regroup and use the toilet (escorted by an invigilator). Otherwise you must remain in the station for the full duration.
Inappropriate exams
If you perform an inappropriate clinical exam 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 clinical exam component of the station a zero score. All other questions are marked on their own merit.
Hand hygiene
To maintain health and safety standards, you must wash your hands before and after physical examinations.
Alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel is provided either outside or inside the stations.
Advise the examiners if you’ve sanitised your hands before entering the station.
Roles
Examiners
When you enter the station, your examiner(s) check your ID badge and place your stickers on the marking sheets. The lead examiner introduces themselves and the other people in the room (for example, co-examiner, patient).
In live stations, examiners give specific instructions. You can ask them to clarify instructions or repeat information. The examiners observe and score your performance while you undertake specific tasks.
In static stations, the examiner will not interact with you.
The examiners notify the Chief Examiner of technical and procedural problems during the exam.
Observers
An AFRM-approved observer may be in the room. They’re not involved in examining or contributing to the assessment. You must not communicate with them.
Leaving the exam
After the exam’s finished and before you depart, the Chief Examiner provides a debrief and notes technical or procedural issues.
Personal belongings are returned and you’re 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’ll give clear instructions.
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, actors, observers, examiners or exam organising members during or after the exam
For more information see the Academic Integrity in Training Policy (PDF).