HK Dental ORE exam-day guide
HK Dental ORE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification matching your application
Bring the original document (typically a passport or Hong Kong identity card) whose name and number match your application exactly. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is permitted; do not assume.
Admission/confirmation documents
Print or download the confirmation email or admission letter showing your candidate number, test date, venue, and reporting time. Some centres require this at the door; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Reporting time and venue directions checked in advance
Re-confirm the venue and reporting time in the week before the test, since locations and session times can change. Plan to arrive well before the stated time to allow for registration and security checks; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Indelible black/blue pens and pencils
Bring several working pens plus pencils, eraser, and a sharpener in case answer sheets require pencil. Confirm with the provider which writing instruments are permitted or supplied.
Any permitted instruments or stationery
Check the current candidate guide for what is allowed in your specific test component (for example, whether a non-programmable calculator, ruler, or provided materials are issued). Do not bring items that are not explicitly permitted.
Watch (non-smart, analogue or simple digital)
Many halls do not have a clearly visible clock, and smartwatches are usually prohibited. Confirm with the provider whether a wristwatch is allowed and whether phones must be switched off and stored.
No prohibited electronics or notes
Leave phones, smartwatches, earphones, and any study notes outside the testing room or in the designated storage. Possession of unauthorised materials can lead to removal or score cancellation; confirm the exact rules with the provider.
Personal needs planned (water, medication, toilet)
Bring only what is permitted; water bottles may need to be transparent and labels removed. If you need medication or adjustments, confirm approval with the provider in advance rather than on the day.
Rest, travel, and backup plan
Arrange transport with a backup route and check weather warnings or transport disruptions the night before. Get a full night's sleep; do not plan last-minute cramming that risks lateness.
Know the structure and timing of your session
Re-read the current format description for your component (number of stations or papers, time per section, rest breaks) so you can pace yourself. Confirm details with the provider, as formats are periodically revised.
Plan the day
Re-confirm venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Do a final review of high-yield topics and practise timing on full sections rather than learning new material. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation documents, pens, and permitted items. Protect your sleep schedule and avoid all-nighters.
Light review only: skim your own summary notes and rehearse the sequence of the day. Lay out clothes and documents, charge nothing you cannot bring (leave smart devices at home), check transport and weather, set two alarms, and eat a normal meal. Stop studying early enough to sleep at your usual time.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive early, complete registration calmly, and use waiting time for brief orientation rather than frantic revision. Read all instructions before starting and note the time each section begins and ends.
Work at a steady pace and watch the clock at set checkpoints rather than constantly. Answer every question you can, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if time allows. If you finish early, check that your answer sheet entries match your intended answers and that your candidate details are correct.
Rules to check
Carry only the identification document approved for your application, with name and number matching your records; confirm accepted ID forms with the provider before the test day.
Follow all instructions from invigilators immediately. If you are unsure whether an action is allowed, ask before doing it rather than after.
Keep phones, smartwatches, and any notes out of the testing room as instructed. Unauthorised materials can result in removal or invalidation of your result; confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not attempt to copy, photograph, or remove test materials.
Breaks and toilet access are usually at fixed points and may not stop the clock; confirm the break policy with the provider and plan hydration accordingly.
If you believe there was a disturbance or an error in the test conditions, report it to the invigilator on the day and follow the provider's official complaint procedure afterwards.
Results and scoring decisions are made by the provider; do not rely on unofficial pass marks or scoring rumours. Check the current published criteria directly.
If you are unwell or late, contact the provider as soon as possible; do not assume you will be admitted or that a refund or rescheduling will be granted, as this depends on their policy.