ACEM Fellowship Written exam-day guide
ACEM Fellowship Written · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Admission or confirmation documents
Print or download the admission letter, scheduling confirmation, and any candidate number or instructions sent by the provider. Confirm with the provider whether printed copies are mandatory or electronic copies are accepted.
Approved stationery
Pack black pens, pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener. Check the provider's list of permitted items, since some centres supply all stationery and prohibit personal items.
Watch
A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features is useful for pacing timed stations. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are permitted in the test area.
Comfortable professional clothing and closed shoes
Dress in layers you can move in, as practical stations may involve movement, kneeling, or simulated patient contact. Avoid loose jewellery and anything that could interfere with equipment.
Food, water, and any permitted medication
Bring a water bottle and a light snack for scheduled breaks. Confirm with the provider where food and drink may be consumed and how personal medication must be declared.
Travel and accommodation plan
Confirm the venue address, entry point, and public transport or parking options. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time to allow for registration and security checks.
Route and backup plan
Check traffic, weather, and transport disruptions the day before. Identify an alternative route and a contact number for the test centre in case of delay.
Rest and rehearsal plan
Practise aloud the structure of a focused history, examination, and management plan. Protect sleep in the final nights rather than cramming new material.
Personal items plan
Leave valuables at home. Confirm with the provider the secure storage arrangements for bags, phones, and other devices during the test.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Rehearse the core frameworks you will use in every station: introducing yourself, gaining consent, taking a focused history, performing a structured examination, summarising findings, and presenting a differential and management plan. Practise aloud under time pressure with a colleague or timer. Review the format and station types described in the provider's candidate guide, and confirm reporting time, venue, and transport. Prepare clothing, stationery, and documents, and check that your ID matches your registration. Prioritise sleep and regular meals.
Confirm travel arrangements and the venue entry point. Pack your bag using the checklist and place documents and ID together. Re-read the provider's candidate instructions for conduct, permitted items, and break policy. Do a short, low-intensity rehearsal of opening and closing phrases, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Set two alarms and plan to arrive with a buffer of at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Eat a proper breakfast and stay hydrated without overdrinking. Dress in comfortable professional clothing and take only permitted items. Arrive early, complete registration and security checks, and use the waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute discussion with other candidates. Locate toilets and confirm the break arrangements with staff. If a delay occurs, contact the centre and follow their instructions.
Read each station's instructions carefully before the signal to begin, and note the task and time allocation. Introduce yourself, confirm the patient's identity and consent, and state clearly what you are doing. Speak your reasoning aloud where examiners are assessing your approach. Keep to time: if you run short, prioritise safety, initial management, and clear communication over completeness. At the end, summarise findings and your plan. If a station goes badly, deliberately reset before the next one and do not carry it forward. Use scheduled breaks to eat, drink, and refocus, and follow staff instructions on movement between stations.
Rules to check
Conduct yourself professionally throughout. Treat simulated patients and examiners with the same courtesy and confidentiality you would apply in clinical practice, and do not discuss station content with other candidates during the test.
Bring the identification specified by the provider and ensure the name matches your registration. If your documents differ or are missing, contact the provider in advance rather than assuming you will be admitted. Confirm with the provider what happens if ID cannot be verified.
Do not bring unauthorised electronic devices, notes, or smart watches into the test area. Confirm with the provider which items are prohibited, how devices must be stored, and the consequences of a breach.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks, leaving the test area, and access to food, water, and toilets. Ask staff if you are unsure rather than leaving without permission.
Declare any illness, disability, or need for adjustments to the provider well before the test date. Confirm with the provider what adjustments are available and what evidence is required.
If you believe a station was flawed or an incident affected your performance, report it to staff promptly and follow the provider's formal process afterwards. Do not raise concerns in a way that disrupts other candidates.
Understand how your performance is scored before the day: confirm with the provider whether stations are weighted, whether a minimum standard applies to any component, and how results are reported.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and centre staff. If you are unsure about a procedural rule on the day, ask before acting rather than guessing.