EHPLE Dental Medicine exam-day guide
EHPLE Dental Medicine · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired identification document in the name used on your registration. Acceptable document types vary by test centre and country, so confirm the exact list with the provider before test day; a photocopy or expired document is normally refused.
Admission or confirmation document
Print or save the confirmation of your booking (test date, time, centre address, candidate number if issued). Some centres ask to see it at reception; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is accepted.
Arrival time and centre route planned
Re-check the address and recommended arrival time on your confirmation, and plan transport with a buffer for delays. Arriving late can mean refused admission with no refund, so treat the stated arrival time as a hard deadline.
Permitted personal items only
Expect to store bags, phones, watches and notes in a locker or leave them outside the testing room. Confirm with the provider which items, if any, may be taken to the desk; assume nothing beyond ID and key/card unless told otherwise.
Review of the published test-day rules
Read the current candidate rules on the provider's website in the week before the test, including rules on electronic devices, food and drink, and leaving the room. These rules can change, so use the latest published version rather than older forum posts.
Rest and travel logistics for the night before
Plan accommodation or travel so you are not commuting long-distance on the morning of the test. Sleep timing affects performance more than last-minute revision, so protect the night before.
Clarify break and timing rules in advance
Ask the provider whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops during breaks, and what identification is needed to re-enter. Do not assume a break policy from another exam; confirm with the provider.
Confirm scoring and result-reporting method
Check how the exam is scored (for example, pass standard or scaled score), when results are released, and how they are delivered. Details differ between providers and sittings, so verify on the official site rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
Medical or access arrangements confirmed
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm in writing that they are approved and will be in place. Bring any approval letter the provider tells you to present; arrangements are usually not granted on the day.
Water and a light snack for afterwards
Keep these in your bag for after the test rather than at the desk, unless the provider permits them in the room. Confirm the centre's policy on food and drink before relying on it during the exam.
Emergency contact and provider phone number saved
Save the test centre or provider contact number in case of transport failure or illness. Calling ahead is usually better than arriving late without notice, though the outcome remains at the provider's discretion.
Backup plan for technology failure (computer-based sittings)
If the exam is delivered on computer, ask the provider in advance what happens if the system fails or the power goes out. Do not assume extra time is automatically granted; confirm the procedure with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material and consolidate. Review your own summary notes on high-yield topics, re-read the official candidate rules and your confirmation document, and check the centre address, arrival time and travel route. Confirm any access arrangements in writing. Prepare the ID and confirmation document in one place so nothing is forgotten. Keep the last evening free of heavy study and avoid starting new question sets that could undermine confidence.
Do a light review only, focusing on lists and frameworks rather than detail. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation document, and any approved items, and lay out clothing. Check transport timetables and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. If you feel unwell, check the provider's policy on illness and cancellation before the morning, since rules on transfers and refunds are strict and time-limited.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water in moderation. Leave earlier than the route requires, allowing for delays and for finding the room within the building. Arrive by the stated arrival time, not the start time. Leave phones, watches and notes in the locker or at home as instructed. Present your ID and confirmation document at reception, follow staff instructions for seating and system checks, and use any pre-test tutorial to confirm the interface, calculator or flagging tools work.
Read the instructions on the first screen carefully, including how to flag and review questions and whether answers can be changed. Work at a steady pace and keep an eye on the remaining time; if a question is taking too long, flag it and move on. Answer every question unless the format penalises wrong answers, and confirm whether that penalty applies before guessing. Use breaks only as permitted, noting whether the clock continues. If equipment fails or you feel unwell, raise your hand immediately and ask staff to record the incident rather than waiting until the end.
Note any incident you reported and ask how it will be recorded. Check the provider's stated result-release date and how results are delivered. Keep your confirmation document until results arrive in case you need to query your attendance or score.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired identification document specified by the provider, in the same name as your registration. Photocopies, expired documents and documents in a different name are normally refused; confirm the accepted types with the provider before test day.
Arrive by the stated arrival time. Candidates who arrive late may be refused admission and may not receive a refund or transfer; the exact cut-off is set by the provider, so confirm it rather than assuming a grace period.
Electronic devices, including phones, smart watches and earbuds, are almost always prohibited in the testing room. Store them as instructed and confirm with the provider whether any device may be kept on your person.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Attempting to access notes, share answers or use unauthorised aids is misconduct and can lead to score cancellation; the provider's misconduct policy sets out the process.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules, which may specify scheduled breaks, whether the clock stops, and what identification is needed to re-enter. Confirm the break policy in advance rather than relying on practice from another exam.
Scoring and the pass standard are set by the provider and may be reported as a scaled score or pass/fail. Check the official description of scoring and result reporting; do not rely on claims about a fixed number of correct answers.
If you are ill or unable to attend, contact the provider as soon as possible and ask about its policy on withdrawals, transfers and medical evidence. Deadlines and evidence requirements are strict, so confirm the current policy rather than assuming a refund is available.
Report any technical failure, interruption or illness during the test to staff immediately and ask for it to be recorded. Complaints raised only after the test may be harder to resolve; confirm the provider's procedure for special consideration.