Diagnostic Radiographer exam-day guide
Diagnostic Radiographer · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. A passport or national identity card is the safest choice; confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever permitted.
Confirmation of appointment / admission document
Print or download the confirmation email showing your test date, time, and location. Some centres ask to see it at reception; if you are unsure whether a printed copy is required, confirm with the provider.
Know your candidate/registration number
Have it written down or saved offline. You may need it to sign in or to label scratch paper, and staff may ask for it if there is a query about your booking.
Route and travel plan to the test centre
Check the exact address, building entrance, and transport options the day before. Aim to arrive well before your reporting time; the check-in and ID verification process takes longer than you might expect.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to reach the centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start unless the provider states otherwise. Late arrival can mean refused entry, so confirm the cut-off time with the provider.
Permitted comfort items
Bring water in a clear container and a light layer in case the room is cold, but check the provider's rules on drinks, food, and clothing before the day. Some centres restrict items at the desk.
No personal belongings at the desk
Expect to store bags, phones, smart watches, and notes in a locker or designated area. Do not bring valuables you cannot leave behind; confirm the provider's storage arrangements in advance.
Check the calculator and scratch-paper policy
Some radiography exams provide an on-screen calculator or scratch paper, others do not. Confirm with the provider what is supplied and what, if anything, you may bring, so you are not caught out on dose or exposure calculations.
Review the exam format and timing
Know the number of questions, whether sections are timed separately, and whether you can flag and review items. This helps you pace yourself and decide when to move on.
Medical or access arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, make sure approval is already in place and bring any letter the provider requires. Confirm the process with the provider rather than assuming it will be arranged on the day.
Rest and nutrition plan
Protect sleep in the final 48 hours and eat a normal breakfast or meal before the test. Avoid trying new caffeine levels or heavy meals that could distract you during a long sitting.
Backup plan for travel disruption
Identify a second route and keep the centre's phone number handy. If a delay happens, contact the centre immediately; whether you can still sit the test is decided by the provider, so confirm their policy beforehand.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-check the test centre address, reporting time, and ID requirements against your confirmation. Print or save the confirmation and ID details, and plan the journey including a backup route.
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets of key physics, radiation protection, anatomy, and imaging technique, and re-read any notes on question formats or calculations you found difficult.
Do one or two short, timed practice sets under exam-like conditions to rehearse pacing, then stop. Avoid cramming new topics that you have not previously studied; it adds anxiety without reliable benefit.
Prepare your bag: ID, confirmation, any approved access letter, clear water bottle, and a light layer. Leave phones, smart watches, and notes out of the bag you will carry to the desk, or plan where they will be stored.
Check travel updates and set two alarms. Confirm the centre's contact number and opening time. If you are unsure about anything (calculator, scratch paper, arrival cut-off), contact the provider now rather than on the morning.
Keep the evening calm: light review only, a normal meal, and a full night's sleep. Avoid alcohol and late screen time, and do not start a new topic.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Dress in layers and leave early enough to absorb a delay. Re-check you have your ID and confirmation before leaving.
Arrive at the centre with time to spare. Follow check-in and ID verification, store belongings as instructed, and use any waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute fact-checking with other candidates.
Read the instructions and note the time limit and how to flag questions. Answer the straightforward items first, flag long calculation or image-interpretation questions, and return to them; never leave a blank if there is no penalty for guessing, but confirm the scoring rule with the provider.
Watch the clock at set checkpoints (for example, after every 20–25% of the questions) and adjust pace. If a question stalls you, move on and come back; a single item should not consume the time needed for several others.
Use any permitted breaks to stand, hydrate, and reset. On return, re-read the remaining questions carefully, especially those involving units, dose limits, or patient positioning, where small misreads cost marks.
Note anything you found unclear while it is fresh, but do not attempt to reconstruct questions to share; exam content is confidential. Check the provider's stated results timeline and keep your candidate number for follow-up.
Rules to check
Bring the original, valid photo ID in the name used for registration. If your ID is expired, lost, or in a different name, contact the provider before test day; do not assume a photocopy or alternative document will be accepted.
Follow the provider's arrival and check-in deadline. Centres may refuse entry after a stated cut-off, and the exact rule varies, so confirm the reporting time and late-arrival policy with the provider in advance.
Do not bring unauthorised materials to the desk: notes, phones, smart watches, or any device not explicitly permitted must be stored as instructed. Attempting to use them during the test can lead to invalidation of your result.
Breaks are usually limited and may be scheduled or unscheduled depending on the provider. Confirm whether the clock stops during breaks and whether you may leave the room; do not rely on assumptions about extra time.
Scoring rules, including whether incorrect answers are penalised and how sections are weighted, are set by the provider. Check the official candidate information before the test so your guessing and pacing strategy is appropriate.
Follow all instructions from invigilators, including seating, screen use, and conduct. Disruptive behaviour or failure to comply can result in removal and cancellation of your result; the appeals process is described by the provider.
If you feel unwell or have an emergency on the day, tell centre staff immediately. Whether the test can be rescheduled or refunded is governed by the provider's policy, so ask for written confirmation of next steps.
Keep exam content confidential. Do not copy, photograph, or share questions or materials; doing so may breach the provider's rules and affect your eligibility.