DHA Physiotherapist exam-day guide
DHA Physiotherapist · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which specific ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Exam appointment/confirmation details
Carry your booking confirmation, candidate number, and the test centre address and contact number. Confirm with the provider how and when these are issued.
Test centre location and route plan
Confirm the exact venue and arrival time with the provider in advance, and plan your route including a buffer for delays. Do not assume the venue from memory.
Permitted items only
Check the provider's list of what may be taken into the test room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are commonly restricted; confirm the exact rules with the provider.
Personal medication and comfort items
If you need medication, water, or other essentials, confirm in advance how these are handled during the test. Follow the provider's procedure for declaring them.
Rest and sleep plan for the night before
Protect sleep in the final 48 hours; avoid last-minute cramming the night before. Fatigue reliably degrades performance on long exams.
Light, familiar meal and hydration
Eat a normal meal before the test and take water if permitted. Avoid experimenting with new caffeine or energy products on exam day.
Review of core content only
In the final days, review summaries and high-yield areas rather than starting new topics. Practise recalling key facts and clinical reasoning steps under time pressure.
Practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one timed practice set in the final week to rehearse pacing. Use original practice material only.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, confirm with the provider well before the test date that arrangements are approved and recorded.
Backup plan for travel failure
Note the centre phone number and a contingency route. Confirm with the provider what to do if you are delayed or cannot attend.
Read the provider's candidate handbook
Confirm the current rules on ID, permitted items, breaks, scoring, and misconduct directly from the official source; do not rely on second-hand accounts.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, arrival time, ID requirements, and any special arrangements with the provider. Stop starting new topics; switch to reviewing summaries and practising timed questions. Check travel and, if needed, accommodation.
Do a final light review of high-yield areas, then stop early. Pack ID, confirmation details, and permitted items. Set two alarms, confirm your route and departure time, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, dress in layers, and leave with a generous buffer. Arrive at the time the provider specifies; late arrival rules vary, so confirm them in advance. Keep the pre-test period calm and avoid discussing content with other candidates.
Read each question fully, watch your pacing, and flag difficult items to return to if the format allows. Answer every item unless the provider's rules penalise guessing, which you should confirm beforehand. Use any scheduled breaks as permitted, and follow invigilator instructions at all times.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID specified by the provider; a copy or expired document may not be accepted. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider before the test day.
Follow all invigilator instructions and the provider's rules on permitted items. Unauthorised materials or devices in the test room may lead to invalidation of your result.
Do not communicate with other candidates about test content during the test or afterwards; sharing or reproducing questions is misconduct.
Breaks are usually only at scheduled points and may be supervised. Confirm the provider's break policy, including whether you may leave the room and what you may access.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider. Confirm the current scoring method, pass mark, and any penalties for incorrect answers directly from official sources rather than assuming.
If you feel unwell or something disrupts the test, notify an invigilator immediately and follow the provider's procedure for reporting incidents.
Arrive by the stated time; late arrival may mean you are refused entry or given reduced time. Confirm the exact late-arrival policy with the provider.
Keep your registration details and result correspondence secure, and contact the provider directly with any questions about your result or appeals process.