MRCPI GM Part II Written exam-day guide
MRCPI GM Part II Written · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original, valid photographic ID in the name you used to book. Passport is the safest option. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a signature is required.
Appointment or admission confirmation
Print or save offline the confirmation email or letter showing your candidate number, date, time, and venue. Some centres ask to see it on arrival; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Candidate number and login details
Memorise or note your candidate number separately from your ID. If the written paper is delivered on a computer, keep any username or password issued by the provider in a form you can access without your phone.
Venue directions and travel plan
Rehearse the route to the exact building and entrance, not just the street address. Note the nearest transport links, parking, and a backup route. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time; confirm the reporting time and late-entry policy with the provider.
Timing device
Check with the provider whether a wristwatch is permitted and whether smartwatches or any watch with a digital display are banned. Many centres provide a clock; do not assume your phone will be accessible.
Layered clothing
Exam halls vary in temperature and you may not be able to leave to adjust. Wear layers you can remove without disturbing others, and avoid noisy jewellery or items that set off security screening.
Water and a light snack
Bring water in a clear container if the provider permits drinks at the desk, and a snack for any scheduled break. Confirm what is allowed into the hall; some centres require bottles to be unlabelled.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only what you need. Bags, phones, and notes are usually stored away from the desk or prohibited entirely, and storage may be limited. Confirm the provider's personal-belongings policy.
Review the format and timing
Re-read the provider's current description of the paper: number of questions, question styles, total time, and whether there is negative marking. Do not rely on memory or forum posts, as format and delivery may change between diets.
Confirm permitted items
Check whether calculators, earplugs, or other aids are allowed and what type. Do not bring unauthorised aids on the day. needs_review: permitted-item lists are centre- and diet-specific, so confirm with the provider.
Medical or access arrangements
If you have approved access arrangements or need to take medication or food, carry the provider's written approval and any necessary documentation. Confirm where and when to declare items on arrival.
Plan the post-exam day
Arrange a realistic journey home and avoid scheduling anything demanding immediately afterwards. Note the provider's stated timeline and channel for results release so you know where to look.
Plan the day
Switch from new learning to consolidation. Work through your own error log and high-yield topics rather than starting unfamiliar material. Re-read the provider's candidate guidance in full, checking reporting time, venue, ID requirements, and permitted items. Confirm your travel plan and, if relevant, accommodation. Protect sleep: shift bedtime earlier now rather than the night before.
Lay out ID, confirmation, and clothing. Check the venue's opening hours and whether the entrance differs from the main door. If you are travelling, confirm the booking and keep copies offline. Resolve any outstanding query with the provider now, since answers may take a working day.
Do a light, timed practice block in the exam's question style to rehearse pacing, then stop. Do not attempt to cram new topics. Eat a normal meal, avoid excess caffeine and alcohol, and set two alarms. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, water, snack, and layers, and place it by the door. Check travel updates and set out your route and departure time. Aim for a full night's sleep; if you cannot sleep, rest quietly rather than studying.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate normally rather than excessively. Dress in layers. Leave with a buffer that accounts for delays; arriving early and waiting calmly is better than arriving flustered. At the venue, follow staff instructions, declare any required items, and store belongings as directed. Use the washroom before entering the hall. Once seated, read any instructions on the paper or screen carefully before starting.
Note the start and finish times and calculate your average time per question, allowing a margin for review. Answer in your own order: secure the questions you know first, then return to harder ones, flagging rather than stalling. Read each stem for the actual question asked and watch for negatives and 'best' or 'next' wording. For clinical scenarios, identify the key finding and the single best next step rather than the most complete answer. If you are unsure, eliminate clearly wrong options and commit to a reasoned choice; only change an answer if you find a specific reason. Keep an eye on the clock at set checkpoints and reserve the final minutes to ensure no question is left blank and all flags are reviewed.
Leave without dissecting questions with other candidates, which adds little and can unsettle you. Note anything the provider should know, such as a disruption or equipment problem, and report it through the stated channel promptly. Record the provider's stated results date and where results will be published.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid photo ID in the name used for your booking and present it when asked. Without acceptable ID you may be refused entry; confirm accepted ID types with the provider in advance.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, or other electronic devices into the hall unless the provider explicitly permits them. If permitted for storage, they must be switched off and placed where instructed, not on your person or desk.
Keep only authorised items at your desk. Confirm the provider's rules on water, snacks, calculators, earplugs, and outer clothing, and follow staff directions on where bags and notes are stored.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and do not communicate with other candidates once in the hall. Do not read or copy another candidate's work, and do not attempt to take materials, notes, or recordings out of the hall.
Declare any approved access arrangements, medication, or food to staff on arrival and carry the provider's written approval. Do not assume arrangements will be in place without confirmation.
Breaks, if any, are governed by the provider's rules: confirm in advance whether you may leave the hall, whether the clock stops, and whether you can access notes or devices during a break. Never access study material during an unsupervised break.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider and may change between diets. Do not rely on rumour about marks per question, negative marking, or pass marks; confirm the current format and scoring with the provider.
If something goes wrong during the test, such as a device failure, noise, or illness, raise it with an invigilator immediately and ask for it to be recorded. Report it through the provider's stated channel afterwards, as some processes require prompt notification.