Arab Board Internal Medicine Clinical Exam exam-day guide
Arab Board Internal Medicine Clinical Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID matching your registration name exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Admission permit / exam notification
Print or download the entry document issued after registration. Verify venue, date, and reporting time on it; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Reporting time and venue confirmation
Reconfirm the exact building, hall, and arrival time with the Arab Board or your sponsoring authority a few days before. Arrive early to allow for security and registration queues.
Professional attire and white coat
Dress in clean professional clothing; many clinical exams expect a white coat and closed shoes. Confirm the expected dress code with the provider, as this varies by centre.
Stethoscope and basic instruments
Bring your own stethoscope and a pen. Confirm whether a torch, tendon hammer, or other instruments are provided at stations or must be carried.
Watch or timing device
A simple wristwatch helps you track station time. Confirm whether smart devices are prohibited in the exam hall.
No prohibited electronics
Leave phones, smartwatches, and recording devices switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm the provider's policy on personal belongings.
Refreshments and medication
Carry water and any prescribed medication you may need during a long day. Confirm whether food and drink are permitted in the holding area.
Travel and accommodation plan
Pre-book transport and lodging near the venue. Confirm local requirements such as visa, entry permits, or hospital dress norms with the provider.
Station strategy notes (single page)
Prepare a brief personal checklist of examination sequences and communication phrases. Confirm whether any written material may be taken into the holding area.
Practice logistics with a colleague
Rehearse timed stations and role-play with a peer in the final days. Confirm the exact station format and timing with the provider, as formats change between sessions.
Backup plan for delays
Identify a contact number for the exam centre and plan an alternate route. Confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Finalise travel and lodging. Stop learning new material; focus on rehearsing examination sequences and communication scripts aloud with a colleague.
Do a full timed mock circuit covering history-taking, focused examination, and counselling stations. Review your single-page strategy notes and correct recurring errors.
Pack the checklist items, lay out clothes, and charge nothing electronic that is prohibited. Do a light review only. Sleep early and avoid intensive study late at night.
Eat a proper meal, arrive well before the reporting time, and complete registration and security checks. Keep conversation with other candidates calm and avoid last-minute cramming.
Read each station instruction fully, introduce yourself to the patient or examiner, and state your findings and plan clearly. Keep to time, move promptly when signalled, and treat simulated patients with courtesy. After the exam, note your impressions for future practice.
Rules to check
Carry the exact ID specified by the provider; entry may be refused if the name or document does not match your registration. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Arrive at the reporting time stated on your admission document. Confirm the late-arrival and no-show policy with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.
Follow all instructions on electronics and personal belongings; devices may need to be surrendered or stored outside the hall. Confirm the specific policy with the provider.
Introduce yourself, obtain consent where appropriate, and maintain patient dignity and confidentiality throughout clinical stations.
Do not discuss or share station content with other candidates during the exam; breaches may be treated as misconduct.
Breaks, if any, are at the discretion of the invigilators; confirm the schedule and rules for leaving the hall with the provider.
Scoring and station weighting are set by the examining body; confirm the marking scheme and pass criteria with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
If you believe a station was disrupted or unfair, note it and follow the provider's formal appeal or incident-reporting procedure after the exam.