Egyptian Board Gastroenterology & Hepatology exam-day guide
Egyptian Board Gastroenterology & Hepatology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Primary photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID (national ID card or passport) whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a copy is allowed - this varies by testing centre.
Admission permit / exam slip
Print or download the admission document issued after your application is accepted. Check that your name, exam date, and venue on it are correct; report errors to the organising body immediately rather than on exam day.
Venue location and route confirmed
Verify the exact building and entrance of the test centre in advance, since large university hospitals and conference venues have multiple gates. Do a dry run or check the route and expected travel time at the same hour as the exam.
Arrival time confirmed with the provider
The required reporting time (usually well before the start for identity checks and seating) is set by the organising body. Confirm the exact cut-off for late arrivals in writing - do not assume a grace period.
Permitted stationery only
Bring only what the provider allows - typically a couple of black/blue pens and a simple pencil. Leave notebooks, loose papers, and printed revision notes outside the hall; confirm whether scrap paper is supplied.
No electronic devices
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and earpieces are almost always prohibited in the exam hall. Plan to leave them at home or in a secure place; confirm the provider's rule on storage, as many centres do not provide it.
Water and a light snack for breaks
Bring water in a clear container and a small snack if the sitting is long and breaks are scheduled. Confirm whether food and drink are permitted at your desk or only outside the hall.
Any approved accommodation documentation
If you have a documented need (extra time, separate room, medical device), bring the approval letter from the provider. Arrangements not approved in advance are generally not granted on the day - confirm the deadline for requests.
Rest and logistics plan
Arrange transport and, if travelling far, overnight accommodation near the venue so that a delay does not cost you the sitting. Confirm check-in times and keep a buffer of at least an hour.
Format and timing understood
Know in advance the number of questions or stations, the total time, and whether the paper is single-best-answer, extended-matching, or an OSCE-style clinical station format. Confirm the current format with the provider, as blueprints change between sessions.
Review high-yield topics only
In the last days, revise condensed summaries of hepatology and gastroenterology emergencies, common management algorithms, and image/endoscopy recognition rather than starting new material.
Confirm scoring and pass rules
Ask the provider how the paper is scored (per-question marks, negative marking, station weighting) and what the pass standard is. Do not rely on second-hand accounts from previous candidates.
Plan the day
Stop expanding your syllabus. Re-read your own condensed notes on high-yield areas: acute upper GI bleeding, acute pancreatitis, decompensated cirrhosis and its complications, viral hepatitis treatment thresholds, inflammatory bowel disease flares, and biliary obstruction. Confirm venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider in writing. Prepare and lay out clothing, ID, admission document, and permitted stationery so nothing is left to the final morning.
Do one timed practice block in the actual format (for example, a full set of single-best-answer items at exam pace) to calibrate your speed and practise moving on from uncertain questions. Review the errors, but keep the session short. Check travel arrangements and, if applicable, accommodation and parking. Avoid all-nighters from this point onward.
Light revision only - skim summaries and lists, then stop by early evening. Confirm your alarm, transport, and a backup route. Pack your bag: ID, admission document, pens, water, snack, and any approved accommodation letter. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine or alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep rather than last-minute cramming.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate. Leave earlier than the calculated travel time to absorb delays. Arrive at the venue before the stated reporting time, keep your documents in hand for identity checks, and switch off and stow your phone as instructed. Once seated, read the instructions on the paper carefully before starting.
Work at a steady pace; if the format rewards it, answer every item and flag uncertain ones to revisit rather than stalling. Read the stem fully, note key negatives ('except', 'most likely'), and for clinical vignettes identify the diagnosis before choosing management. Use scheduled breaks to stand, drink water, and reset; do not discuss questions with other candidates. Reserve the final minutes to transfer or check answers and confirm your candidate details are correctly entered.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID that matches your registration; candidates without acceptable identification may be refused entry. Confirm the accepted ID types and whether expired documents are allowed with the provider before exam day.
Arrive by the reporting time set by the organising body. Late arrival may mean exclusion from the sitting, and the cut-off is not standardised - confirm it in advance rather than assuming a grace period.
Electronic devices, smartwatches, and unauthorised notes must not be taken into the exam hall. Follow the provider's instructions on where to leave belongings; do not assume secure storage is available.
Follow all invigilator instructions and sit only at your assigned place. Any communication with other candidates during the paper, or attempts to copy or share questions, is misconduct and may lead to cancellation of your result.
Breaks are taken only when the provider permits. Confirm in advance whether you may leave the hall, whether the clock stops during breaks, and whether food or drink is allowed at your desk.
If you believe a question is faulty or the conditions are disrupted, report it to the invigilator at the time and follow up with the organising body afterwards; do not attempt to resolve it yourself during the paper.
Scoring, weighting, and the pass standard are set by the organising body. Confirm the current rules directly with the provider rather than relying on reports from previous candidates, and check how and when results are released.
If illness or an emergency prevents you from sitting or completing the exam, notify the provider as soon as possible and ask about documented evidence requirements and any provision for withdrawal or a later sitting.