DO-HNS (RCSI) exam-day guide
DO-HNS (RCSI) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which specific documents are accepted and whether a second form of ID is required.
Appointment/exam confirmation and candidate number
Print or save the confirmation email and your candidate/registration number. Confirm with the provider whether printed copies are mandatory.
Exam venue address and travel plan
Reconfirm the venue, building entrance, and arrival time the day before. Plan to arrive with buffer for security checks and registration queues.
Professional dress / clinical attire as specified
Wear what the provider specifies for the practical stations. Avoid loose clothing, dangling jewellery, or anything that could interfere with examination or infection-control requirements.
Stethoscope and any permitted personal equipment
Bring your own stethoscope if allowed. Confirm with the provider which instruments are permitted versus supplied at stations.
Water and a light snack
Practical exams are long and mentally demanding. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the holding area.
Watch (non-smart) if timing aids are permitted
Some centres provide timers and prohibit personal devices. Confirm with the provider before relying on a watch.
Leave valuables and smart devices at home or secured
Phones and smart watches are commonly prohibited in the test area. Confirm with the provider the storage arrangements available on site.
Review the provider's current candidate instructions
Read the latest version of the exam regulations and station instructions on the official provider website in the week before the exam, as procedures can change.
Rest and rehearsal plan
Practise timed run-throughs of examination and communication stations in the final days rather than learning new material.
Plan the day
Stop new learning. Do timed rehearsals of core examination sequences (e.g. history, examination, explanation) out loud, ideally with a colleague observing. Re-read the provider's candidate guidance and confirm venue, arrival time, and ID requirements.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, stethoscope if permitted, and water. Check travel arrangements and set multiple alarms. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming late.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and re-check you have your ID and confirmation. Keep calm in the holding area; avoid last-minute discussions with other candidates that may raise anxiety.
Read each station's instructions carefully before starting. Introduce yourself, obtain consent where relevant, and manage your time so you complete the requested task. If a station goes badly, mentally reset before the next one rather than replaying it.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID specified by the provider; without acceptable ID you may be refused entry. Confirm accepted documents with the provider in advance.
Arrive at the time stated in your joining instructions. Late arrival policies vary; confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
Follow all instructions from examiners and invigilators. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test unless a station explicitly requires it.
Do not bring unauthorised materials, notes, or electronic devices into the test area. Confirm with the provider what is permitted and where belongings must be stored.
Breaks are usually only at scheduled points; confirm with the provider whether comfort breaks are available and how to request one.
Scoring and station weighting are set by the provider. Do not assume a poor performance at one station is fatal; complete every station as instructed.
If you believe there is a problem with the conduct of the exam, raise it through the provider's official procedure rather than with examiners during the test.
Any special arrangements (access, medical needs) must be requested from the provider well in advance; confirm deadlines and evidence requirements with them.