ABFM Geriatric Medicine exam-day guide
ABFM Geriatric Medicine · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired, signature-bearing photo ID. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and that the name exactly matches your registration.
Appointment confirmation and authorization
Bring or have accessible the scheduling confirmation and any authorization email. Verify date, time, test center, and exam title.
Test center logistics
Confirm the address, parking or transit plan, and recommended arrival time with the provider. Plan to arrive early enough to complete check-in without rushing.
Name-match check
Confirm that the name on your registration matches your ID. Resolve any discrepancy with the provider before exam day.
Personal items plan
Leave prohibited items at home or plan to use the test center locker. Confirm with the provider what is allowed at the workstation.
Glasses, hearing aids, and medical supplies
Bring needed corrective lenses, hearing aids, and essential medical supplies. If you need accommodations, confirm approval and documentation requirements in advance.
Comfort and break supplies
Bring layers, water, and a snack if permitted for breaks. Confirm test center rules about food, drink, and access to personal items.
Exam interface familiarity
Review any available tutorial or interface information. Know how to flag items, move between questions, and review marked items.
Medication and meal plan
Plan usual meals, hydration, and medications around the appointment. Do not change routines without advice from your clinician.
Provider contact information
Save the provider or test center phone number and your confirmation number so you can resolve last-minute issues.
Accommodation paperwork
If accommodations are approved, bring any required authorization and confirm check-in procedures with the provider.
Post-exam travel plan
Plan return travel and avoid tight connections; test-day timing can vary.
Plan the day
Confirm appointment details, ID validity, test center location, parking or transit, and accommodation approvals. Review high-yield geriatric medicine topics with practice questions, but avoid new material that increases anxiety.
Protect sleep and normal meals. Prepare clothing and items early. Confirm the provider contact number and your confirmation number.
Pack ID, confirmation, glasses, medications, and comfort items. Recheck the test center address and arrival time. Do a light review only; stop studying early enough to sleep.
Set two alarms and arrange transportation. Avoid alcohol and unusual caffeine timing. Review the test center conduct rules and break policy one last time.
Eat a normal meal, take usual medications, and arrive early. Carry your ID and confirmation. Keep phone use minimal before check-in.
Read each stem carefully, note the key geriatric principle, and answer every item. Use flagged review if available, but do not let one difficult question consume the clock.
Take scheduled breaks as permitted. Use breaks to stretch, hydrate, and reset; confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks affect testing time.
Monitor pace by section or block. If you feel stuck, choose the best answer, flag if available, and return only if time permits.
Rules to check
Follow all test center conduct rules. Do not bring unauthorized materials into the testing room; confirm with the provider what is prohibited.
Present valid identification at check-in. Your registration name must match your ID; resolve discrepancies before exam day.
Breaks and access to personal items are governed by the test provider. Confirm the break policy and whether break time counts against testing time.
Answer every question unless the provider instructs otherwise. Confirm whether unanswered questions are scored as incorrect.
Scoring and the pass standard are set by the board. Do not rely on unofficial score-conversion claims; confirm scoring details with the provider.
If you need accommodations, use the approved process in advance and bring required authorization. Do not assume accommodations will be arranged on exam day.
Report any testing irregularity, equipment problem, or distraction to a test administrator immediately and follow their instructions.
Keep exam content confidential. Do not copy, share, or reconstruct exam questions; follow the provider’s confidentiality agreement.