Facharzt Allgemeinmedizin exam-day guide
Facharzt Allgemeinmedizin · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID
Bring the identity document type your invitation names (typically a passport or national ID). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is allowed, since rules differ by Landesärztekammer.
Admission letter / invitation (Einladung)
Carry the written or printed invitation with your candidate number, date, time, and location. Keep a digital copy as backup.
Registration and fee confirmation
Proof that your examination fee and registration were processed, in case of administrative queries on the day. Confirm with the provider whether this is required.
Approved aids (e.g., stethoscope)
Some practical stations expect you to bring your own stethoscope or reflex hammer. Confirm with the provider exactly which instruments are provided and which you must bring.
Any permitted reference materials
Ask the provider in advance whether dosing references, guidelines, or calculators are allowed. Do not assume; unauthorized aids can lead to exclusion.
Written station plan / schedule
Note your station rotation, times, and room numbers if provided. A printed copy avoids phone dependence.
Watch (non-smart) and pen
A simple wristwatch helps you track station time if clocks are not visible; a pen is useful for forms. Confirm whether smart devices are banned at your site.
Layered clothing and comfortable shoes
Practical stations involve movement, simulated examinations, and variable room temperatures. Dress professionally and comfortably.
Food, water, and any personal medication
Exam days are long. Bring water and a snack for breaks, and your own medication if needed; confirm storage rules with the provider.
Travel and accommodation plan
Confirm the venue location and arrival route the day before. Allow buffer time for delays; late arrival policies vary and must be confirmed with the provider.
Phone silenced and stored as instructed
Expect device rules at the site. Confirm with the provider where phones must be left and whether they are permitted during breaks.
Backup contact and emergency plan
Know whom to call if you are delayed or unwell. Confirm with the provider how to report an inability to attend and what documentation is needed.
Plan the day
Re-read the invitation and confirm venue, start time, ID requirements, and permitted aids with the provider. Plan travel with buffer time and, if needed, book accommodation near the venue. Do focused rehearsal of practical skills (history taking, examination sequences, explaining a diagnosis, structured communication) rather than new material. Prepare and pack your documents and instruments in one bag. Protect sleep and avoid last-minute cramming that erodes performance.
Do a light review of your own summary notes and station formats only. Lay out clothing, ID, invitation, aids, water, and snacks. Check transport schedules and weather. Confirm any open question with the provider during office hours rather than on exam morning. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a usual time. If you feel unwell, check the provider's policy on illness and withdrawal now, not later.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive early per the provider's instructions, allowing for security checks and registration. Re-check that your ID, invitation, and aids are with you. Keep review minimal and calming. Switch your phone to silent or off as instructed and store it where directed. Use the waiting time for breathing and mental rehearsal of your opening lines for a station, not for new facts.
Follow the invigilator's instructions exactly and note station timing. At each station, introduce yourself, state what you are doing, and narrate your clinical reasoning clearly. Read the task fully before acting. If you make an error, correct it openly and continue; examiners assess safety and structure, not perfection. Manage time so you finish the core task. Between stations, reset quickly and avoid dwelling on the previous one. If a rule or instruction is unclear, ask the invigilator at an appropriate moment.
Rules to check
Bring and present the identity document specified in your invitation; if you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Arrive at the stated time and follow registration and security procedures. Late-arrival and no-show policies differ by provider, so confirm them in advance rather than assuming.
Use only aids that the provider has explicitly permitted. Ask in advance about stethoscopes, calculators, and reference materials; unauthorized items may lead to exclusion.
Follow all instructions on electronic devices. Confirm with the provider whether phones must be handed in and whether they may be used during breaks.
Treat simulated patients, examiners, and other candidates respectfully and maintain confidentiality about station content; confirm the provider's specific confidentiality rules.
Break times and their duration are set by the provider; confirm the schedule and whether food and drink are allowed in waiting areas.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the examining body. Ask the provider for the published weighting and pass standard rather than relying on hearsay.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible and ask what medical certification and withdrawal or resit rules apply.