NDEB Virtual OSCE exam-day guide
NDEB Virtual OSCE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID specified in your admission instructions (e.g., passport or driver's licence). Confirm the exact accepted ID types and name-matching rules with the provider before test day.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Have your appointment confirmation, candidate number, or scheduling email accessible (printed or on your phone) in case staff need to verify your registration. The exact document required should be confirmed with the provider.
Know your test platform and do a tech check
If the OSCE is delivered on a virtual platform, install any required software or browser in advance, test your camera, microphone, and speakers, and run the platform's system check. Confirm permitted browsers and devices with the provider.
Stable internet and backup plan
Use a wired or high-bandwidth connection where possible, and have a backup (mobile hotspot, phone dial-in if offered) ready. Confirm the provider's policy for technical failures before the exam.
Quiet, private, well-lit room
Choose a space with a door you can close, no interruptions, and lighting that lets your face and any permitted materials be seen clearly. Remove or cover prohibited notes and devices from the camera view.
Permitted materials only
Keep only items the provider explicitly allows (e.g., blank paper, pen, water). Confirm whether notes, textbooks, or a second screen are prohibited; when in doubt, leave them out.
Charged devices and chargers
Fully charge your computer and phone, keep chargers connected, and close unnecessary applications to reduce the risk of crashes or notifications during stations.
Review the station format and timing
Re-read the orientation material: number of stations, reading time per station, response time, and how prompts are delivered. Practise speaking concise, structured answers aloud within the time limit.
Plan your arrival or login time
Arrive or log in earlier than instructed to allow for ID checks and orientation. Confirm the exact reporting time and grace-period policy with the provider.
Personal needs plan
Eat, hydrate, and use the washroom beforehand. Confirm the break policy and whether leaving the camera view during the test is permitted; do not assume breaks are allowed.
Silence notifications
Turn phones to silent or off as instructed, disable pop-up notifications, and close messaging apps so nothing interrupts a station.
Read the candidate agreement
Review the rules on conduct, confidentiality of station content, and consequences of irregularities before test day so nothing surprises you during the exam.
Plan the day
Re-read the official candidate guide and station-format instructions. Run a full timed mock session with a colleague or recording device, focusing on concise openings, clear reasoning, and closing summaries. Prepare your room and equipment, confirm your ID and login details, and check the provider's technical requirements. Protect sleep and avoid cramming new content.
Do a final equipment check: camera, microphone, speakers, browser, and internet. Charge all devices and locate chargers. Lay out ID and permitted materials. Confirm the reporting time and time zone. Do a light review of your answer structure only, then stop studying early and sleep well.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate. Set up your room, silence devices, and log in or arrive early as instructed. Complete ID verification and orientation calmly. Use the reading time to identify the task and key issues, and take a few slow breaths before the first station.
Follow the platform's timing cues. For each station, read the prompt carefully, note the task, and answer in a structured way: introduce yourself, gather key information, explain your reasoning, and summarise. Speak clearly at a moderate pace, manage the clock, and do not discuss station content with anyone until the exam is over. If a technical problem occurs, stay calm and follow the provider's instructions for reporting it.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from exam staff and the platform; if a rule is unclear, ask before the station begins rather than assuming.
Present the ID required by the provider and be prepared for identity verification, including a room scan or photo if instructed. Confirm the exact requirements with the provider.
Keep the testing environment private: no other people, no coaching, no unauthorized notes or devices, and no communication with anyone outside the exam during the test.
Treat station content as confidential; do not record, screenshot, copy, or share any scenario, prompt, or question.
Confirm the break policy with the provider in advance; do not leave the camera view or the testing room during the exam unless explicitly permitted.
Technical failures: report them immediately using the provider's stated process and do not attempt to continue stations on your own until instructed.
Scoring is based on performance across stations against defined criteria; answer every station, even if you feel one went poorly, because each station contributes to your result.
If you are unsure about any policy on conduct, ID, breaks, or scoring, confirm it with the provider before test day rather than relying on assumptions.