Facharzt FMH Neurologie exam-day guide
Facharzt FMH Neurologie · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official invitation and admission letter
Print the admission confirmation you received from the organizing body and bring it on paper as well as on your phone. The letter states the exact date, time, venue, and any candidate number. If you have not received it at least two weeks before the exam, contact the organizing secretariat immediately. Confirm with the provider which documents are mandatory at the door.
Valid government-issued photo ID
Bring your passport or identity card; a Swiss residence permit alone may not be accepted as the primary ID. Check that the name matches the name on your admission letter exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second piece of ID is required.
FMH diploma or specialist title documentation
Depending on the stage of your certification, you may be asked to show proof of your completed neurology training or your registration. Carry certified copies plus originals. The exact document set depends on whether you are sitting the written or the oral part and on your canton; confirm the required list with the provider.
Written confirmation of continuing education credits or logbook
Many Swiss specialty exams require a documented logbook of cases, procedures, or continuing education. Bring the signed and, where required, stamped version. Confirm with the provider whether an electronic submission suffices or a paper copy is expected on exam day.
Permitted aids: stethoscope, pen, pencil, eraser, highlighter
Bring several dark pens and pencils and a quiet eraser. A stethoscope is useful for the clinical/oral station. Do not bring smart devices, smartwatches, or loose notes into the exam room unless explicitly permitted. Confirm with the provider which personal items may stay at your seat.
Analogue watch or small clock
Many written exams have a wall clock, but not all rooms do. A simple non-smart wristwatch helps you pace yourself. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether any timepiece is allowed.
Water, a snack, and any prescribed medication
Written exams can run several hours with short breaks. Bring water in a clear bottle and a light snack if permitted. If you take regular medication, keep it with you and inform the invigilator if you need to take it during the exam. Confirm with the provider the rules on food, drink, and medication at the desk.
Know the venue, route, and arrival time
Do a route check the day before, including public transport connections and parking. Plan to arrive well before the stated start, since registration and ID checks take time. If the venue is unfamiliar, note the building entrance and the room number from your admission letter.
Review the exam format and timing
Re-read the official description of the exam: number of questions or stations, time per section, scoring, and pass threshold. Knowing whether there is negative marking changes your guessing strategy. Confirm the current format and scoring rules with the provider, as these can change between sessions.
Plan for breaks and lunch
Check whether lunch is provided or whether you must bring your own. Identify nearby options and a quiet place to rest between sections. Confirm with the provider whether you may leave the building during breaks and whether you must sign out and back in.
Emergency contact and travel backup plan
Save the secretariat's phone number and an emergency contact in your phone and on paper. Know what you would do if public transport fails, for example a taxi budget or an earlier train. This is practical planning, not an official policy; confirm late-arrival rules with the provider.
Rest and logistics the night before
Pack your bag the evening before, set two alarms, and avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Sleep is more valuable than an extra hour of review. Keep the next morning simple: fixed breakfast, fixed route, no new decisions.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets, high-yield neurology topics (stroke and thrombolysis windows, epilepsy classification and status epilepticus, headache red flags, neuromuscular emergencies, delirium and coma), and the exam format. Do one timed practice run under realistic conditions, then review only your errors. Prepare documents: admission letter, ID, diploma copies, logbook, permitted aids. Confirm the venue, route, and start time. Protect sleep; do not pull all-nighters.
Pack your bag with documents, pens, watch, water, snack, and medication. Charge your phone but plan to leave it outside the exam room. Do a route check or confirm transport times. Re-read the official instructions once, including rules on breaks, permitted items, and scoring. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. If you feel anxious, write down your three biggest worries and one practical response to each.
Eat a proper breakfast and limit caffeine to your normal amount. Leave earlier than strictly necessary. Arrive at the venue with time for registration and ID checks. Keep your documents in one folder and your permitted aids in a clear bag. Use the waiting time for calm breathing and a brief glance at your summary sheet, not for new topics. Follow the invigilator's instructions on phones, coats, and seating.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions or stations and the time limit before starting. Do a first pass answering what you know, flag uncertain items, and return to them. For multiple-choice questions, read all options before choosing and watch for negatives and 'except' wording. If negative marking applies, be deliberate about guessing; if not, answer every item. For oral or clinical stations, introduce yourself, structure your answer aloud, and state your reasoning when unsure. Keep an eye on the clock, take permitted breaks, and leave a few minutes at the end to check that no answers are missing.
Rules to check
Bring and present the identification and admission documents required by the organizing body. If you are unsure which documents are mandatory, confirm with the provider before exam day; arriving without them may bar you from sitting the exam.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times. They control seating, start and stop times, breaks, and what may be on your desk. Ask before doing anything that is not explicitly permitted.
Do not use unauthorized aids. Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are typically prohibited in the exam room; switch them off and store them where instructed. Confirm the provider's policy on calculators, notes, and personal items.
Maintain exam integrity. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, do not share answers, and do not remove exam materials from the room. Suspected misconduct is handled under the provider's regulations.
Observe the break rules. You may usually leave the room only during designated breaks and with permission; sign out and back in if required. Confirm with the provider whether you may leave the building and whether food or drink is allowed at the desk.
Understand the scoring and pass criteria before you start. Ask the provider in advance about negative marking, partial credit, and the pass threshold; these determine whether you should guess on uncertain items.
If you have a disability, chronic condition, or other need requiring accommodation, arrange it with the provider well before the exam. Do not assume accommodations will be granted on the day.
If you are late or unable to attend, contact the secretariat as soon as possible. Late-arrival, withdrawal, and rescheduling rules vary and are set by the provider; confirm them in advance rather than relying on assumptions.