ABOHNS Otolaryngology exam-day guide
ABOHNS Otolaryngology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which specific ID types are accepted.
Admission permit / scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location (or remote-testing link). Requirements for printing versus digital copies vary-confirm with the provider.
Know your exact reporting time and arrival buffer
Arrive before the stated check-in time; late arrivals may be refused entry. The exact buffer window is set by the provider-confirm it.
Review the test-day instruction sheet
Read the provider's current candidate handbook or instructions for permitted items, calculator use, and break policy.
Plan and confirm your travel route
Scout the route and parking or transit options in advance; for remote testing, confirm your room, internet, and power backup.
Comfort items within policy
Layers for variable room temperature, water/snack for scheduled breaks if permitted. Food and drink at the workstation are usually restricted-confirm with the provider.
Leave valuables and unauthorized electronics at home
Phones, smartwatches, and notes are typically prohibited in the testing room; secure storage rules vary-confirm with the provider.
Rest and nutrition plan
Protect sleep in the days before; eat a normal meal before reporting. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material.
Personal timing strategy
Decide in advance how you will pace question blocks and when you will flag items to revisit.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new content. Do a focused review of high-yield topics and your own weak-area notes; confirm logistics (location, reporting time, ID, travel).
Take one light practice set under timed conditions to calibrate pacing, then review errors only briefly. Confirm remote-testing setup if applicable.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and permitted items. Reconfirm reporting time and route. Keep the evening calm, eat normally, and prioritize sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and complete check-in. Avoid reviewing new material; use only a brief skim of your own summary notes if it steadies you.
Read each stem fully, answer confidently known items first, flag long or uncertain items, and watch the clock per block. Use scheduled breaks as permitted to reset.
Note any topics that felt weak while fresh, then step away. Score reporting timing and method are set by the provider-confirm them.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration; accepted forms and name-matching rules should be confirmed with the provider.
Follow all check-in and security procedures, including any item inspection or storage requirements; confirm specifics with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorized materials or electronics into the testing area; the permitted-items list is provider-specific-confirm it.
Break timing and whether breaks are scheduled or optional vary by administration; confirm the policy with the provider before test day.
Scoring, pass standards, and any penalty for unanswered questions are determined by the provider; confirm how your result will be calculated.
Report any testing irregularity or equipment problem to the proctor immediately rather than resolving it yourself.
Follow the provider's policy on rescheduling, cancellation, and lateness; these terms are set in the candidate agreement-review it in advance.