PHECC EMT exam-day guide
PHECC EMT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name you registered under. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept and whether a second ID is required.
Booking / confirmation details
Bring your exam confirmation, candidate number, or booking email (printed or on your phone) in case there is a query at check-in.
Exam permit or authorization letter
If your training provider or the examining body issues a permit, authorisation, or eligibility letter, bring it. Confirm with the provider whether this is required.
Appropriate clothing and footwear
Wear comfortable clothing you can move and kneel in, plus closed-toe footwear. Practical stations may involve simulated patient handling or CPR on the floor.
Watch with a seconds hand
A simple analogue watch helps with timed skills such as pulse and respiration counting. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches or phones are permitted in the practical area.
Personal stethoscope
Bring your own stethoscope if you have one and it is permitted. Confirm with the provider whether personal equipment is allowed or whether station equipment must be used.
Water and a light snack
Practical exams are physically demanding. Bring water and a snack for scheduled breaks, subject to venue rules on food and drink.
Medication and personal essentials
Bring any prescribed medication and personal items you may need. Confirm with the provider how to handle medication or medical needs during the exam day.
Know the venue, route, and parking
Confirm the exact venue, arrival time, and parking or transport options in advance. Aim to arrive early; late arrival policies vary, so confirm with the provider.
Review the station format and assessment criteria
Re-read the skills sheets and assessment criteria your course used for each practical station so you know what assessors are looking for.
Rehearse skills aloud and in sequence
Practise full skill sequences with a partner, including scene safety, introduction, consent, and handover, so the flow becomes automatic.
Plan rest and travel
Protect sleep in the final days and plan your journey so you are not rushed on the morning. Confirm with the provider any check-in cut-off time.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, arrival time, ID requirements, and what equipment is permitted with the provider. Rehearse each practical station end to end with a partner, focusing on the steps you find least fluent.
Do a final review of assessment criteria and common critical-fail points (for example safety checks, consent, and correct sequence). Prepare and pack your kit bag and documents.
Light review only. Lay out ID, confirmation, clothing, footwear, watch, water, and snacks. Check travel times and parking. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming new material.
Eat a proper meal, arrive with time to spare, and re-check you have your ID and confirmation. Stay calm and warm up mentally by walking through the first station in your head.
Listen carefully to each station brief, read any written scenario fully, and work through the skill in a logical sequence. Verbalise your findings and actions clearly, introduce yourself, gain consent, and state scene safety. Manage your time per station and complete a structured handover where required.
Follow the provider's instructions on leaving the area and on when and how results will be issued. Do not discuss station content with candidates who have not yet been assessed.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID in the name you registered under; confirm with the provider exactly which ID is accepted and what happens if you arrive without it.
Arrive at the check-in time stated in your booking. Late-arrival and no-show policies vary, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Follow all instructions from examiners and invigilators, and treat simulated patients, fellow candidates, and staff with respect throughout.
Do not discuss station content, scenarios, or assessment details with candidates who have not yet been examined, and do not record or photograph exam materials.
Use only the equipment provided or explicitly permitted at each station; confirm with the provider whether personal equipment such as a stethoscope is allowed.
Ask the provider in advance about scheduled breaks, access to water and toilets, and any adjustments you may need for a disability or medical condition.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the examining body; ask the provider for the published criteria rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
If you believe something went wrong during the exam, raise it with the examiner or provider through their stated process rather than after leaving the venue.