Egyptian Board Psychiatry exam-day guide
Egyptian Board Psychiatry · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document (national ID card or passport) whose name matches your application exactly. The Egyptian Board / Supreme Council of Universities processes typically require original identification, but the precise accepted documents and any signature/stamp requirements must be confirmed with the provider (needs_review).
Printed admission card / exam permit
If your training body or the Board issues an entry permit or candidate number slip, print it and keep a spare copy. Whether a printed permit is mandatory, or whether candidate numbers are distributed on site, must be confirmed with the provider (needs_review).
Exact venue and reporting time confirmed
Confirm the building, floor, hall and the reporting time (usually well before the start for registration and ID checks) directly with the provider, since venues can change between sittings. Plan to arrive with buffer for Cairo traffic and security checks at university or ministry buildings.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or more)
For written/essay papers and for filling answer sheets. Check whether the provider mandates a specific ink colour for machine-read sheets; if unsure, carry both black and blue and confirm with the provider (needs_review).
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Needed if any section uses optical mark (bubble) answer sheets. Confirm with the provider whether pencils are permitted or whether only pens may be used on answer sheets (needs_review).
Clear, unmarked water bottle
Hydration matters for long sittings. Many exam halls require transparent bottles with labels removed; confirm the provider's policy on drinks in the hall.
Analog or simple wristwatch
Halls do not always have a visible clock. Smartwatches and any device with communication or storage capability are almost always prohibited, so bring a basic watch and confirm the provider's device rules.
Leave phone and smart devices outside the hall
Plan where your phone will be (car, companion, or a designated collection point). Carrying a phone into the hall, even switched off, is commonly treated as a conduct violation; confirm the provider's exact rule and storage arrangements.
Review logistics: transport, parking, backup route
Know a second route and allow extra time. Identify nearby prayer facilities, restrooms and a place to eat beforehand so breaks are not wasted on searching.
Light layers and comfortable clothing
Exam halls are often cold from air conditioning or poorly ventilated; dress in layers you can remove. Avoid clothing with large text or logos that could attract scrutiny.
Snack and any prescribed medication
Bring a small snack for before/after the paper and any medication you take regularly, in original packaging. Whether food or medication may be taken into the hall must be confirmed with the provider (needs_review).
Confirm scoring and format details in advance
Know the number of papers, their durations, and whether negative marking applies to MCQ sections. These specifics vary by specialty and sitting and must be confirmed with the provider rather than assumed (needs_review).
Plan the day
Re-confirm the venue, hall, reporting time and any permit requirements with the provider or your training directorate. Print the admission card and ID copies. Do a final logistics check: route, transport, parking, and a backup plan. Stop learning new material; instead review your own condensed notes and high-yield summaries for each major topic area, and do only short, timed question sets to keep pacing sharp. Protect sleep: shift bedtime earlier over these three nights so the morning-of wake-up is not a shock.
Do one full-length timed rehearsal if you have not already, ideally at the same time of day as the real paper, to calibrate your pace per question and your decision rule for skipping and returning. Review the answer sheet format you expect (bubble sheet vs. written booklet) and practise transferring answers accurately. Prepare and lay out everything on the checklist: ID, permit, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water bottle, clothing. Charge nothing that needs charging - instead remove smart devices from your exam-day bag.
Light review only: skim your one-page summaries of the highest-yield topics and the list of mistakes you have repeatedly made. Do not start a new resource. Confirm the alarm, arrange transport or a ride, and tell someone your schedule. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine after midday, and go to bed at your target time. Pack the bag by the door so the morning requires no decisions.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water, but avoid excessive caffeine. Leave earlier than the map suggests. Arrive at the venue with time for security, registration and finding the hall. Switch your phone off and stow it as planned before entering the hall. Use the restroom before seating. Once seated, read the instructions on the cover page carefully, check the number of pages and questions, write your candidate details exactly as instructed, and note the start and finish times.
Do a quick scan of the paper and allocate time per section, leaving a few minutes at the end for transfer and checking. Answer the questions you know first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them; do not let one hard item consume several minutes. Read each stem fully, watch for negatives and 'except' wording, and eliminate options before guessing. On bubble sheets, transfer answers in blocks and verify numbering alignment. If you run short of time, ensure every question has an answer if there is no negative marking. If you feel panic rising, pause, breathe slowly for a few seconds, and resume with an easy question.
Write down the topics that surprised you while memory is fresh; this guides any future sitting or viva preparation. Avoid prolonged post-mortems with peers, which distort your sense of performance. Keep your ID and permit until results are released, and note any result-announcement or appeal procedure the provider described.
Rules to check
Carry original government-issued photo identification matching your application; photocopies are usually not accepted. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid and whether a printed admission card is also required.
Arrive before the stated reporting time. Candidates arriving after the paper has started may be refused entry or given no extra time; the exact late-entry cut-off must be confirmed with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, earphones, notes or any unauthorised material into the hall. Possession, even if unused, is commonly treated as a conduct violation leading to cancellation; confirm the provider's device and storage policy.
Follow all invigilator instructions, keep your eyes on your own paper, and do not communicate with other candidates during the paper. Any suspected cheating or impersonation is referred for disciplinary action.
Breaks are usually not permitted during a paper; leave the hall only in an emergency and with an invigilator's escort. Confirm the provider's policy on restroom breaks and on food, drink and medication in the hall.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the Board and may include a minimum mark per paper or an overall threshold; do not assume a simple percentage. Confirm the current marking scheme, any negative marking, and the pass standard with the provider.
Write only within the designated answer areas and use the specified ink; answers outside the marked zones or on unauthorised sheets may not be marked. Confirm the required format with the provider.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, venue or conduct, raise it with the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's official complaint or appeal procedure afterwards; do not attempt to resolve it informally.