AMIE Section B Mechanical exam-day guide
AMIE Section B Mechanical · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the same government-issued photo ID you used at registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; do not assume a photocopy or expired document will be accepted.
Admission or appointment confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your candidate number, test centre, date, and start time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is acceptable.
Approved calculator
Check the current permitted-models list with the provider before the exam and verify your model matches exactly. Bring it with fresh batteries and, if allowed, a spare; confirm whether spares may be taken into the room.
Writing instruments
Bring several pens or pencils plus an eraser, since some answer formats require pencil for machine marking. Confirm with the provider which instruments are permitted and whether pencil cases are allowed on the desk.
Non-programmable drawing instruments
A ruler, protractor, compass, and set squares are commonly useful for mechanical drawing and graphical work. Confirm with the provider whether these are permitted and whether the centre supplies them.
Clear pencil case or pouch
Many centres require stationery to be visible in a transparent container. Confirm with the provider whether a clear pouch is required and whether loose items on the desk are allowed.
Analogue wristwatch
A simple non-smart watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are permitted, since many centres prohibit smart or connected watches.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Hydration matters over a long sitting. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk and what container type is accepted.
Travel and centre logistics checked in advance
Reconfirm the venue address, entrance to use, and arrival time, and plan a route with a buffer for delays. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time and the procedure if you are late.
Personal medication and access arrangements
If you need medication, extra time, or a separate room, confirm approval with the provider well before the exam and bring any supporting letter they require.
No prohibited items
Leave phones, smart devices, notes, and study material outside the exam room or in the designated storage. Confirm with the provider the policy on devices and whether they must be handed in.
Rest and revision plan finalised
Decide in advance what you will review in the last day and stop active study early enough to sleep. Confirm with the provider the exam duration and any scheduled breaks so you can plan food and rest.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and worked examples, focusing on topics you have repeatedly got wrong. Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions and mark it strictly, then spend the remaining time correcting the specific errors it exposes rather than re-reading everything.
Confirm the venue, start time, and permitted equipment with the provider, and check the current calculator and stationery rules. Assemble everything on the checklist in one bag, test the calculator, and replace batteries. Plan the journey, including a realistic buffer, and decide how you will travel.
Do a light review of key formulas and method steps only, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine, and go to bed at your usual time. Set two alarms and check transport schedules for the morning. Pack clothing and food so the morning requires no decisions.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Re-check that your ID, confirmation, calculator, and writing instruments are in the bag. Arrive at the centre with the buffer you planned, well before the stated start time, and expect security and ID checks. Avoid last-minute cramming in the queue, which raises anxiety without improving recall.
Read the instructions and check the paper for missing pages or printing faults, and raise a hand immediately if something is wrong. Note the finish time and any breaks on your script or watch. Skim the whole paper and mark questions you can do quickly, so you bank reliable marks first.
Work through questions in your planned order, allocating time in proportion to marks. For calculation questions, write down the formula, substitute values with units, and show intermediate steps, since method marks are often available even when the final answer is wrong. If a question stalls you, leave a clear gap and move on.
Check that every question has an answer and that question numbers and answer locations match. Verify units, significant figures, and that diagrams are labelled with axes and titles. Finish any flagged questions, then check your name and candidate details on the answer material before handing it in.
Rules to check
Bring the photo ID specified by the provider and keep it on the desk if instructed; candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry, so confirm the accepted forms with the provider in advance.
Follow the centre's rules on prohibited items. Phones and smart devices must normally be switched off and stored as directed, and possession in the exam room may be treated as misconduct even if unused.
Do not communicate with other candidates once in the exam room, and do not look at others' work. Ask invigilators for clarification on printed instructions only; they cannot explain technical content.
Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need to leave the room; confirm with the provider whether toilet breaks are permitted and whether you are supervised or timed out during them.
Confirm with the provider whether scheduled breaks exist and whether food and drink are allowed at the desk; rules vary between centres and sessions.
Check the scoring and pass criteria with the provider rather than relying on hearsay, and note whether negative marking or section minimums apply, since this affects how you should guess.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, equipment, or conditions, report it to an invigilator at the time and ask how to record it; confirm with the provider the procedure and deadline for any later special consideration request.
Submit only your own work. Any attempt to use unauthorised material, impersonate another candidate, or remove exam material from the room may lead to disqualification, and the provider's misconduct procedure will apply.