ABPS Orthopedic Surgery exam-day guide
ABPS Orthopedic Surgery · 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 and whether a secondary ID is required.
Admission permit / scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your name, test date, and testing location or remote-proctoring link. Re-verify the arrival time and address the day before, since these can change.
Log-in credentials and account details
If any part of the exam or check-in is online, confirm your username, password, and any multifactor authentication method work before exam day. Do not rely on autofill.
Testable computer or device and charger
For a remotely proctored exam, confirm the device meets the provider's technical requirements and that your camera, microphone, and speakers work. needs_review: device requirements vary by provider.
Stable internet and a backup plan
Have a secondary connection (mobile hotspot) and a phone number for technical support ready. Confirm the provider's support contact in advance.
Quiet, private, well-lit room
For remote testing, clear the workspace of notes, phones, and unauthorized materials, and ensure no one else enters during the exam. Confirm the provider's room and desk rules.
Approved items only on the desk
Keep only permitted items (e.g., ID, water if allowed, scratch materials if the provider supplies them) within reach. Confirm which personal items are prohibited.
Review the scoring and format
Know the number and type of questions, whether it is computer-adaptive or linear, and how the score is reported. Confirm the exact format with the provider, as it may change between administrations.
Plan travel and arrival buffer
For an in-person test center, know the route, parking, and check-in time, and arrive early. Confirm the center's arrival and late-arrival policy with the provider.
Meals, medication, and rest
Eat normally, take prescribed medications as directed, and prioritize sleep in the final days. Confirm any accommodation or break rules that affect timing.
Approved accommodations confirmed
If you requested extra time or other accommodations, verify they were approved and appear on your admission record. Bring the approval documentation if the provider instructs you to.
Read the candidate agreement
Review the provider's rules on conduct, confidentiality, and prohibited items so you are not surprised at check-in. needs_review: exact terms vary by provider.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Review high-yield orthopedic topics and your own error log, do timed practice under exam conditions, and confirm logistics (location or remote link, arrival time, ID, device). Protect sleep and avoid cramming the night before.
Do a light review only. Lay out ID, confirmation, charger, and any approved items. Reconfirm the start time and time zone, test the device and internet if remote, set two alarms, and go to bed at a normal hour.
Eat a normal meal, take prescribed medications, and arrive or log in early per the provider's instructions. Do a final check that only approved items are within reach. Avoid last-minute heavy review that increases anxiety.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers. Answer straightforward items efficiently, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the format allows. Use breaks only as permitted, and monitor your pace against the number of remaining questions. If a technical problem occurs, pause and contact support per the provider's instructions rather than improvising.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; confirm accepted ID types with the provider before exam day.
Follow all check-in and identity-verification procedures, including any photo, signature, or biometric steps the provider requires.
Do not bring or access unauthorized materials, notes, phones, or other devices in the testing area; prohibited-item lists and storage rules should be confirmed with the provider.
Do not communicate with others about exam content during the test, and do not share, record, or reproduce exam questions afterward.
Break timing and whether breaks are optional or scheduled vary by provider; confirm the policy in advance and understand whether the clock runs during breaks.
Understand how your score is calculated and reported (e.g., pass/fail or scaled score) and the retake policy; confirm these details with the provider rather than assuming.
If a technical or personal issue arises during the test, notify the proctor or support immediately and follow their instructions; do not attempt workarounds.
Arrive or log in by the required time; late-arrival and rescheduling policies vary, so confirm them with the provider beforehand.