Egyptian Board Pediatrics exam-day guide
Egyptian Board Pediatrics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original passport or national ID
Bring the original photo ID you used in your application. Photocopies and expired documents are commonly refused; confirm with the Egyptian Fellowship/Board administration which ID types are accepted for your specialty exam and whether a second piece of ID is required.
Printed admission card or exam permit
Print the permit sent by the examining body and check that your name, specialty, exam date, and venue match your records. If you have not received it, contact the administration well before the exam day rather than on the morning of the exam.
Venue confirmation and travel plan
Confirm the exact building, hall, and reporting time with the provider, since venues can change between sessions. Plan to arrive at least 60–90 minutes early to absorb traffic and security checks.
Black ballpoint pens (two or more)
Most written papers still use paper answer sheets or optical mark forms. Bring spare pens and check the provider's rules on pencils, erasers, and correction fluid, since some bodies prohibit correction fluid on answer sheets.
Allowed calculator
If your specialty paper permits a calculator, bring a simple non-programmable type and confirm the model rules with the provider. Do not bring programmable or graphing calculators unless explicitly allowed.
Watch (non-smart)
Some halls have limited visible clocks. A plain analogue or digital watch without communication features helps you pace yourself; smartwatches are usually prohibited.
Refreshments and personal medication
Bring water and a light snack if the provider allows them in the hall, and any prescribed medication you may need. Confirm storage rules for bags and phones with the provider.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or in designated storage
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are typically collected or banned from the hall. Confirm the provider's policy on storage, as many venues do not take responsibility for lost devices.
Review the published syllabus and scoring format
Check the official syllabus, number of questions, and whether negative marking applies. If negative marking is not stated in your permit or candidate guide, confirm with the provider before adopting a guessing strategy.
Prepare for the clinical/OSCE component if applicable
For practical or clinical stations, bring a clean white coat if required, stethoscope, and any instruments listed in your candidate instructions. Confirm dress code and instrument list with the provider.
Rest and logistics the night before
Sleep adequately, set two alarms, and arrange transport. Avoid last-minute study of new topics; review summaries and high-yield lists instead.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Save the exam administration contact number and identify a backup route to the venue. If illness or an emergency prevents attendance, confirm the provider's policy on documented absence and rescheduling.
Plan the day
Stop starting new topics. Re-read your own summary notes, high-yield tables, and previously missed questions. Do a timed mock or two under exam conditions to practise pacing, then review errors rather than scores. Confirm venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Prepare the documents and stationery you will carry, and check transport options and travel time at the same hour as the exam.
Pack your bag: ID, admission card, pens, calculator if allowed, watch, water, and any permitted medication. Lay out clothes and confirm the alarm. Eat normally and avoid staying up late; a final light review of formulas, classification criteria, and normal values is enough. Do not attempt to memorise large new sections.
Eat a proper breakfast, leave early, and arrive with buffer time for security and seat allocation. Keep your phone off and stored according to the provider's rules. Use the waiting time for a brief glance at summary notes only, not for intense study. Locate the toilet and your hall before the start.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and time allowed. Answer straightforward questions first, mark uncertain ones, and return to them. Keep an eye on the clock and allocate roughly equal time per question, leaving time to transfer answers to the answer sheet. For negative-marking papers, answer only when you can reasonably exclude options. In clinical stations, introduce yourself, obtain consent, and verbalise your findings clearly.
Rules to check
Carry the original ID used in your application; entry is normally refused without acceptable identification. Confirm the accepted ID types with the provider.
Arrive before the reporting time. Late arrivals may be admitted at the discretion of the invigilator or refused; the exact cut-off is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Electronic devices, smartwatches, and unauthorised notes must not be taken into the hall. Follow the provider's storage instructions and switch phones off before entry.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the paper. Any suspected cheating or impersonation is handled under the examining body's misconduct procedures, which can include cancellation of results.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks, toilet visits, and leaving the hall. In most centres you cannot leave during the final minutes of the paper; confirm the specific break policy with the provider.
Scoring rules, including whether negative marking applies and how clinical stations are weighted, are set by the examining body. Check the official candidate guide or confirm with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
If you believe there is a problem with your paper, equipment, or conditions, raise it with the invigilator immediately and note the time; requests made after the exam are harder to support.
Results, appeals, and re-sit policies follow the published regulations of the Egyptian Board/Fellowship. Confirm deadlines and procedures with the administration.