RACP DWE Paediatrics exam-day guide
RACP DWE Paediatrics · 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 ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; do not rely on a photocopy or digital image.
Admission or confirmation letter
Print or download the confirmation showing your candidate number, test centre address, and reporting time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or whether an electronic version is accepted.
Reporting time and venue logistics
Reconfirm the arrival time, building entrance, and check-in process with the provider, and plan to arrive with a buffer for security screening and registration queues. Verify transport routes and parking or public transport options the day before.
Approved stationery
Pack black or blue pens and a pencil plus eraser if written notes or forms are part of the test. Confirm with the provider what stationery is supplied and whether any items are prohibited.
Permitted personal items
Bring only what the provider allows into the test area; plan where to store bags, phones, and watches. Confirm with the provider the policy on mobile phones, smart watches, and personal belongings.
Water and a light snack for breaks
Bring water in a clear container if permitted and a snack for scheduled breaks. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the test room or only in designated break areas.
Any approved medical or access arrangements
If you have approved adjustments such as extra time, a separate room, or medication access, bring the approval documentation. Confirm with the provider how adjustments are implemented on the day.
Medication and personal health needs
Carry any prescribed medication you may need and tell staff at check-in if you require access during the test. Confirm with the provider the procedure for taking medication during the session.
Review the test format and station types
Re-read the official format description so you know the number of stations or questions, timing per station, and how instructions are delivered. Do not rely on secondhand accounts of the format.
Practise timed communication tasks
Rehearse concise spoken explanations, focused histories, and clear handover summaries against a clock. Practise structuring answers aloud rather than only reading notes.
Plan a calm pre-test routine
Decide on sleep timing, a familiar breakfast, and a short arrival routine that avoids last-minute cramming. Know your route and leave earlier than strictly necessary.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Save the provider's contact details in case of transport disruption or illness, and know the policy on late arrival or withdrawal. Confirm with the provider what to do if you cannot attend.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Check transport and accommodation. Do light, timed practice of communication and clinical reasoning tasks rather than new content. Prepare clothing and documents, and protect sleep.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, stationery, water, snack, and any approved adjustment paperwork. Re-read the official format and conduct rules. Avoid intensive study late in the day, set two alarms, and aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat a familiar breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with a generous buffer. Arrive at the venue early, complete check-in and ID verification, store belongings as directed, and use the waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute review.
Follow staff instructions, declare any items as required, and confirm where you should wait and how breaks will be managed. Ask staff, not other candidates, if anything about the process is unclear.
Read each task or scenario carefully, note the key instructions and time limit, and structure your response before speaking or writing. Manage the clock per station, keep answers focused, and move on promptly when a station ends rather than dwelling on it.
Use any scheduled break to hydrate, rest your eyes, and reset attention. Avoid comparing detailed answers with other candidates, which adds stress without changing your result.
Note anything you want to review later while it is fresh, then stop analysing individual stations. Confirm with the provider the expected results timeline and the process for any queries.
Rules to check
Bring original identification matching your registration and present it at check-in; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a secondary form of ID is required.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and test centre staff, including rules on personal belongings, mobile phones, and leaving and re-entering the test area.
Do not communicate with other candidates about station content during the test, and do not record, copy, or share test materials; confirm with the provider the exact confidentiality agreement you have accepted.
Confirm with the provider in advance the rules on breaks, including whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops during them.
If you have approved access arrangements, use them only as authorised and raise any problem with staff immediately rather than improvising your own adjustment.
Confirm with the provider how the test is scored, what constitutes a pass, and whether stations are weighted or must all be attempted; do not assume details from other candidates.
If you feel unwell or unable to continue, tell staff at once and follow their advice; confirm with the provider the policy on illness during the test and any options afterwards.
Declare any conflict of interest if you recognise a simulated patient, examiner, or actor during a station, and follow staff direction on how to proceed.