ANZCA Final Exam exam-day guide
ANZCA Final Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, current photo identification that matches the name on your registration. Acceptable document types and any secondary ID requirement should be confirmed with the provider before exam day; do not rely on a photocopy or expired document.
Admission or confirmation documentation
Carry any admission letter, scheduling confirmation, or candidate number the provider issues. Store it offline on your phone as well as on paper. Confirm with the provider exactly which documents are mandatory, since requirements vary by site and cohort.
Approved calculator and spare batteries
Check the provider's current list of permitted calculator models and whether a spare may be brought into the room. Bring fresh batteries and know how to clear the memory. Do not assume any particular model is allowed; confirm with the provider.
Analogue watch or small timer
A simple non-smart watch helps you track time in sections where a visible clock may not be available. Smart watches and any device with communication capability are typically prohibited; confirm the provider's device policy before relying on this.
Comfort items permitted in the room
Bring water, a light snack for scheduled breaks, and any permitted medication. Food and drink rules differ between venues and computer-based versus written formats, so confirm with the provider what may be taken to the desk.
Layered clothing
Exam halls are often cold. Wear layers that can be removed without disrupting others, and avoid clothing with large pockets or slogans that could complicate security screening.
Travel and accommodation plan
Confirm the exact venue, entry point, and arrival time, and plan to arrive with buffer time for traffic, parking, or public transport delays. If travelling, confirm the booking and check local transport disruptions the day before.
Reviewed logistics and candidate instructions
Re-read the provider's candidate instructions shortly before the exam so that entry times, prohibited items, and break rules are fresh. Policies change, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on older candidates' accounts.
Personal wellbeing plan
Plan sleep, meals, hydration, and any regular medication around the exam schedule. If you have a health condition or require adjustments, confirm approved arrangements with the provider well in advance.
Strategy notes for a final review
Prepare a short, single-page summary of your own frameworks and common pitfalls for a brief review the day before. Keep it concise so it supports confidence rather than triggering last-minute cramming.
Emergency contacts and backup plan
Save the provider's contact details and a local emergency contact. Know what to do if you are delayed or unwell; confirm with the provider how late arrival or illness on the day is handled.
Plan the day
Shift from acquiring new knowledge to consolidating what you already know. Review your own summary notes, rehearse structured answer frameworks, and practise a small number of timed questions to calibrate pace rather than to learn new content. Confirm venue, travel, and accommodation details, check the provider's current candidate instructions, and assemble your documents and permitted equipment. Protect sleep in these nights; two solid nights before the exam matter more than a last-minute late night.
Do a light review only, focusing on frameworks and frequently confused distinctions. Prepare clothing, ID, calculator, and any permitted items in one place. Check transport timetables and weather, set two alarms, and eat familiar food at normal times. Avoid intensive group discussion that may heighten anxiety or introduce untested claims. Aim for a normal night's sleep and stop studying early enough to wind down.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the venue with generous buffer, allowing for security screening and registration. Keep pre-exam conversation brief and focused on your own plan. Take the permitted items to the desk exactly as instructed, and use any waiting time for slow breathing and a quick mental rehearsal of your section strategy rather than for new content.
Read instructions and confirm the number of sections, marks, and any negative-marking or timing rules before starting. Allocate time deliberately and monitor it at checkpoints. Answer easier questions first if the format allows, flag uncertain items, and return to them. For constructed answers, plan briefly before writing and keep responses structured and legible. Use scheduled breaks as permitted to stand, hydrate, and reset, and reserve the final minutes to check that all questions and fields are completed.
Rules to check
Bring current, original photo identification matching your registration details, and present it when requested. Confirm with the provider which document types are accepted and whether secondary identification is required; do not assume a digital copy will be accepted.
Follow all instructions from supervisors and invigilators about seating, permitted items, and movement in the hall. If an instruction is unclear, ask before acting rather than guessing.
Do not bring prohibited devices or materials into the exam room. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes are typically excluded; confirm the provider's specific list and storage arrangements in advance.
Breaks are usually only permitted at designated times and may be subject to supervision or sign-out procedures. Confirm with the provider how unscheduled breaks, such as for illness or toilet use, are handled and whether time is adjusted.
Understand the scoring and timing rules for each section before you begin, including whether questions carry equal marks and whether incorrect answers attract penalties. If this is not clearly stated in the instructions, ask a supervisor.
Maintain academic integrity: do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, do not share or receive question content, and do not attempt to access unauthorised material. Report any irregularity to a supervisor.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency during the exam, notify a supervisor immediately and follow their direction. Confirm with the provider in advance how illness or misadventure on the day should be documented.
Any special arrangements, such as adjustments for a disability or medical condition, must be approved by the provider beforehand. Do not assume adjustments can be arranged on the day.