FRANZCOG Written MCQ exam-day guide
FRANZCOG Written MCQ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification matching your registration
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered under. If your name has changed or your ID differs from your registration record, confirm the accepted documents with the provider well before test day.
Confirmation of registration and test appointment details
Have your booking confirmation, candidate number if issued, and the exact venue or platform details saved offline as well as on your phone. Re-read the provider's candidate instructions for anything specific to your sitting.
Venue location, travel plan and arrival time
Confirm the start time, reporting time, and whether early arrival is required. Do a route check the day before and allow a buffer for transport delays. If sitting remotely, confirm the platform, login process, and system requirements with the provider.
Permitted items only (confirm what is allowed with the provider)
Most exams restrict what you may take to your desk. Ask the provider in advance about water, snacks, tissues, medication, and any aids you rely on; if you need an approved adjustment, arrange it early. needs_review
Personal medication and any approved adjustments
If you need medication, food, or rest breaks for a health reason, confirm the approval process and what documentation to bring. Do not assume adjustments carry over between sittings.
Timekeeping and rest plan
Know the number of questions or stations, the total time, and whether there are scheduled breaks. Practise pacing so you can finish with time to review flagged items.
Practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one full-length timed practice in the final days, ideally at the same time of day as the real test, to rehearse pacing and stamina.
Rest, hydration and sleep routine
Protect sleep in the 72 hours before the exam. Avoid starting new heavy study material in the last 24 hours; consolidate instead.
Backup arrangements for remote sittings
If testing online, confirm a backup internet option, power source, and the provider's procedure for technical failure. Check this with the provider rather than relying on assumptions. needs_review
Emergency contact and provider contact details
Save the provider's contact details and know their process if you are unwell or cannot attend. Ask in advance about illness, withdrawal, and rescheduling rules.
Plan the day
Confirm all logistics: venue or platform, start and reporting times, ID, permitted items, and any approved adjustments. Finish your last full-length timed practice and review your weak topics at a summary level rather than re-learning detail. Taper new material and protect sleep.
Do a focused review of high-yield summaries, guidelines, and your own error log. Rehearse the question approach: read the stem, identify what is being asked, eliminate clearly wrong options, and commit to an answer before moving on. Stop heavy study by early evening.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and permitted items. Check transport or your remote setup. Eat familiar food, avoid alcohol and late caffeine, and aim for a normal night's sleep. Do a light review only if it reassures you; otherwise rest.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate, and arrive with a buffer. Avoid last-minute cramming of new facts, which can increase anxiety. Re-check you have your ID and confirmation before leaving. For remote sittings, log in early and test your connection.
Read each question fully and note key qualifiers such as 'most likely' or 'next step'. Answer in a steady rhythm, flag uncertain items, and return to them if time allows. Keep an eye on the clock, take scheduled breaks if offered, and use remaining time to check that no question is unanswered.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh, and confirm with the provider how and when results will be released. Rest before planning any resit.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo identification required by the provider; entry may be refused without it. Confirm accepted ID types and name-matching rules with the provider in advance.
Follow all instructions from invigilators or the remote proctor, including rules on personal items, phones, and leaving the room. If a rule is unclear, ask before the test begins.
Only use permitted materials and aids. Do not take notes, recording devices, or unauthorised references into the test; confirm what counts as permitted with the provider.
Breaks are usually only at scheduled times, and leaving may be restricted once the test has started. Confirm the specific break and toilet policy with the provider before test day.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider; confirm the current format, number of questions, and any penalty or negative-marking rules rather than assuming.
If you are unwell or unable to attend, contact the provider as early as possible and follow their documented process for illness, withdrawal, or rescheduling.
Report any technical failure or irregularity immediately through the provider's stated channel so it can be documented at the time.
Keep discussion of specific exam content confidential in line with the provider's candidate agreement; confirm the exact confidentiality terms with the provider.