ABIM GI exam-day guide
ABIM GI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of ID your scheduling confirmation specifies (name must match your registration). Confirm the accepted ID type and name-match rules with the test provider in advance.
Scheduling/admission confirmation
Bring a printed or saved copy of your appointment confirmation, including test center address or virtual-platform login instructions.
Know your test format and section timing
Confirm whether your exam is at a test center or remote, and review the number and timing of blocks so you can pace yourself. Verify specifics with the provider.
Test-center logistics confirmed
Verify location, parking/transit, arrival time, and security screening procedures ahead of time. Arrival-time requirements vary-confirm with the provider.
Remote-testing system check (if applicable)
If testing remotely, run the required equipment/environment check and confirm room and desk requirements. Details vary-confirm with the provider.
Permitted comfort items
Plan for layers, water, and snacks only if the provider allows them at your seat or during breaks. Confirm the allowed-items list; needs_review.
Personal item storage plan
Expect that phones, watches, notes, and bags must be stored away per site rules. Confirm what must be left outside the testing room.
Break plan
Decide in advance whether you will take scheduled breaks and how you will use them (restroom, water, snack, reset). Confirm break rules and timing with the provider.
Pacing plan
Know your approximate per-question time budget and a checkpoint strategy so you don't over-invest in single items.
Medication/accessibility arrangements
If you need medication, food, or accommodations during the exam, confirm approved arrangements with the provider well before test day; needs_review.
Rest and travel buffer
Protect sleep the night before and build extra travel time so a delay doesn't become a crisis.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Do targeted review of your own high-yield weak spots and previously missed concepts. Confirm all logistics (location or remote setup, ID, timing) and re-read the provider's test-day rules.
Do one or two short timed practice sets to calibrate pacing, then stop. Avoid marathon cramming that costs you sleep.
Lay out ID, confirmation, and permitted items. Confirm travel plan and arrival time. Eat a normal meal, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and avoid heavy caffeine if you're sensitive. Arrive with buffer time. Do a brief, calm review of your pacing plan-not new content.
Read each question stem fully, watch for qualifiers (except, most likely, initial step), and answer the question asked. Commit to an answer and move; flag only if you truly need to return.
Use breaks deliberately to reset posture and focus. If you feel stuck or anxious, take a breath, skip, and return-don't let one item consume your time budget.
Check that you've answered every item in the block before time expires, since unanswered items usually score as incorrect.
Rules to check
Bring the ID type and name match specified by your scheduling confirmation; confirm accepted ID with the provider before test day.
Follow all security and prohibited-item rules (phones, watches, notes, and similar items are typically restricted); confirm the exact list with the provider.
Arrive by the required check-in time; late arrival may forfeit your seat or appointment-confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Follow break rules exactly, including when breaks are available and what you may access during them; confirm with the provider.
Understand the scoring model for your exam (e.g., whether items are equally weighted and how unanswered items are treated); confirm specifics with the provider.
Do not discuss, record, or reproduce exam content; adhere to the non-disclosure and conduct agreement you accept at check-in.
If you test remotely, follow all environment and proctor instructions; violations can end your session-confirm requirements with the provider.
If something goes wrong (equipment, timing, illness), notify test-center staff or the proctor immediately and follow their documented process.