Arab Board Internal Medicine Part 1 exam-day guide
Arab Board Internal Medicine Part 1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, valid photo ID in the exact name used on your application. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Admission permit / exam confirmation
Print or download your admission document showing your candidate number, test centre and timing. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Test centre address and route
Confirm the venue and arrival time with the provider; visit or map the route in advance and plan to arrive with a buffer for traffic and security checks.
Exam-day logistics confirmed
Reconfirm start time, reporting time, permitted items and calculator/stationery policy directly with the provider - do not rely on secondhand accounts.
Permitted stationery/calculator
Bring only what the provider permits. Confirm whether pencils, erasers and a calculator are supplied or must be brought.
Water and a light snack for breaks
Bring only if the provider allows food and drink at your seat or during scheduled breaks; confirm the policy.
Layered clothing
Dress in layers so you can adapt to room temperature; avoid items that may trigger security screening.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only essentials; storage for bags and phones may be limited, and phones must usually be switched off and stored away.
Review high-yield material, not new topics
In the final days, consolidate familiar high-yield content and question practice rather than starting unfamiliar material.
Sleep and meal plan
Protect sleep in the final 72 hours and plan a normal meal before the test; avoid heavy caffeine changes on the day.
Backup alarm and transport plan
Set two alarms and identify a backup way to reach the centre in case of transport failure.
Emergency contact and provider contact details
Save the provider's contact number and a personal emergency contact in case of delay or illness; confirm the provider's policy on lateness and absence.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, reporting time and permitted-items policy with the provider. Assemble ID, admission document and permitted stationery in one bag. Switch to consolidation: review summaries and mixed questions, and stop introducing new material.
Do one timed practice block to rehearse pacing, then review errors briefly. Confirm transport and, if needed, overnight accommodation. Keep the evening light.
Lay out clothes, ID and documents. Recheck the route and alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do not cram late into the night.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with a generous buffer. Arrive at the reporting time, not the start time. Keep conversation with other candidates light and avoid last-minute panic review.
Read each question fully, answer straightforward items first, and flag difficult ones to return to. Watch the clock and allocate time per question. For uncertain items, eliminate options and commit to a best answer; change answers only for a clear reason. Use scheduled breaks to stand, hydrate and reset.
Note any items you found unclear for later reflection, but avoid prolonged post-mortems with other candidates. Rest and await official results through the provider.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID matching your application name exactly; confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and what happens if ID is missing or expired.
Arrive at the reporting time stated by the provider. Confirm with the provider the policy on late arrival and whether entry after the start is permitted.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and the provider on permitted items. Electronic devices such as phones and smartwatches must usually be switched off and stored away; confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not attempt to copy, share or record questions. Suspected misconduct is typically reported and may lead to invalidation; confirm the provider's misconduct policy.
Use only breaks permitted by the provider and return promptly. Confirm whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops during breaks.
Understand the scoring and format in advance: confirm with the provider whether the exam is single best answer, the number of questions, total time and whether there is negative marking.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency, notify an invigilator immediately and follow the provider's procedure; confirm in advance how illness during the test is handled.
Keep your candidate number and personal details confidential and follow the provider's rules on what may be taken from the test room.