Iraqi Board Cardiology exam-day guide
Iraqi Board Cardiology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID (national ID or passport) whose details match your application exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; do not rely on a photocopy or a phone image.
Admission permit / exam card
Print or download the entry document issued by the examining body and check your name, candidate number, venue, and session time. If the permit has not arrived within the expected window, contact the provider directly rather than waiting until the day.
Venue and reporting-time confirmation
Verify the exact building, hall, and reporting time, since large exams are often held in more than one site. Do a dry run or check the route and travel time in advance; confirm with the provider if the location is ambiguous.
Permitted stationery only
Bring the pens or pencils the provider allows (candidates are commonly asked to use black or blue ink for written papers). Leave pencil cases, notes, and loose paper at home unless explicitly permitted; confirm the allowed list with the provider.
No electronic devices in the exam hall
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other devices are usually prohibited or must be switched off and stored as instructed. Plan a place to leave them; do not keep them on your person during the test.
Personal medication and essentials
If you take regular medication, carry it in its original packaging and tell the invigilator if you may need it during the session. Bring water and a light snack for the break if the provider allows them outside the hall.
Break and refreshment plan
Check in advance how many breaks are scheduled and how long they are, then plan hydration and food around them. Confirm break policy with the provider; it can differ between written and practical/OSCE components.
Clinical attire for practical or OSCE stations
If the exam includes a clinical or OSCE component, wear clean professional clothing and flat, quiet shoes, and bring a stethoscope only if the provider states it is required. Confirm the dress code and equipment list with the provider; needs_review.
Scoring and format review
Re-read the official candidate instructions for the number of questions or stations, time per section, and whether negative marking applies. Do not assume a marking scheme; confirm with the provider.
Rest and travel buffer
Arrange accommodation close to the venue if you are travelling, and aim to arrive well before the reporting time to absorb delays. Avoid last-minute study that displaces sleep in the final night.
Emergency contacts and documents
Keep the provider's contact number and your permit accessible in case of delay or a problem at registration. Save a digital copy of key documents in case a printed copy is misplaced.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Review high-yield summaries, guidelines, and your own error log, and do a timed mixed set only if it builds confidence. Confirm venue, reporting time, and transport, and check that your ID and permit are in order.
Do a final logistics check: route, travel time, parking or public transport, and accommodation if needed. Prepare clothing and stationery, and set out everything you will carry so nothing is left to the morning.
Light revision only, focused on lists and frameworks rather than new topics. Eat a normal meal, avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Re-check the alarm and the reporting time.
Eat a normal breakfast, take your ID, permit, and permitted stationery, and leave with a generous travel buffer. Arrive early, locate registration and the hall, and switch off and stow your phone before entering.
Read the instructions and check the time allocation before starting. Answer the questions or stations you are sure of first, flag uncertain items, and return to them if time allows. For written papers, transfer answers to the answer sheet as you go and check numbering; for OSCE stations, read the task before entering and manage the time within each station.
Reserve the last few minutes to check that every answer is recorded, candidate details are correct, and no page or station has been missed. Stop writing immediately when instructed.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID specified by the provider; entry is normally refused without it, and the name must match your application. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider before the exam.
Follow all invigilator instructions on seating, timing, and materials. Do not communicate with other candidates once the session has started, and do not look at another candidate's paper or screen.
Electronic devices are generally not permitted in the hall. Switch off and store your phone and smartwatch as directed, and do not keep notes, books, or unauthorised materials at your desk.
Breaks are taken only at the times the provider allows. If you need to leave the hall, follow the invigilator's procedure; do not take materials with you. Confirm the break policy with the provider.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the examining body and are not announced during the test. Do not assume a marking scheme, negative marking, or a pass mark; confirm with the provider.
Any irregularity, such as a misprinted paper, a faulty station, or a timing problem, should be reported to the invigilator immediately and noted; do not attempt to resolve it silently.
If you are unwell or unable to attend, contact the provider as early as possible to ask about deferral or special arrangements. Do not assume a policy applies; confirm with the provider.
Keep your candidate number and permit until results are released, and check the provider's official channel for result dates and any post-exam requirements.