Iraqi Board Dermatology exam-day guide
Iraqi Board Dermatology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID (original)
Bring the original ID document you registered with; photocopies and expired documents are commonly refused. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Admission permit / exam entry card
Print or download the entry card from the official portal once released. If the portal does not issue one, confirm with the provider what document proves your eligibility on the day.
Exact venue address, building, and gate confirmed in advance
Iraqi board practicals are often held in teaching hospitals or training centres with multiple entrances. Confirm the precise hall and arrival gate with the provider, and check whether security screening lengthens entry time.
Written confirmation of permitted items
Ask the provider in writing whether pen, notebook, stethoscope, dermatoscope, gloves, and a watch are allowed in the practical hall. Do not assume; rules differ between stations.
Plain white coat or approved attire
Many clinical exams expect a clean white coat with no hospital or university logos. Confirm the dress code and whether a coat is supplied at the venue.
Stethoscope and small hand-held torch
Useful for general-examination stations and for inspecting skin and mucosal surfaces. Mark as needs_review: confirm with the provider that these are permitted in the hall before packing them.
Watch (non-smart)
Station timing is strict; a plain analogue or digital watch helps you pace yourself. Smart watches are usually prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Water and a light snack for before/after the exam
Consumption is normally not allowed inside the hall; eat and hydrate beforehand. Confirm whether a waiting area is available.
Emergency contacts and travel plan written down
Note the venue phone number, a local contact, and a backup transport plan in case of traffic or checkpoints on exam morning.
Medication and personal essentials
Bring any prescribed medication you may need during the day in its original packaging; declare it if asked. Confirm with the provider whether this needs prior notification.
Rehearsed station approach and time plan
Know your routine for history, examination, description of lesions, differential, investigations, and management, and practise it aloud within the time limit.
Rest and realistic self-assessment the night before
Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics; review your own summary sheets only. Sleep is more valuable than an extra hour of reading.
Plan the day
Re-read the official candidate instructions and confirm venue, date, reporting time, and permitted items in writing with the provider. Resolve any open question now, not on exam morning.
Do a timed mock circuit: describe a lesion, give a differential, justify investigations, and outline management in the allotted minutes. Identify the stations where you overrun and drill those.
Rehearse the core practical skills you may be asked to demonstrate: describing morphology and distribution, examining skin, hair, nails and mucosae, using a hand-held torch, and explaining procedures such as a skin biopsy or patch testing in steps.
Prepare and pack your documents and kit; lay out clothing. Check transport time to the venue at the same hour of day as the exam, allowing extra margin for traffic and security checks.
Stop learning new material. Review only your own condensed notes on high-yield topics such as morphology terminology, common inflammatory dermatoses, infections, drug eruptions, and skin tumours.
Confirm your route and departure time, charge your phone, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time.
Re-check that your ID, entry card, and permitted kit are in one bag by the door. Confirm with the provider if any item's status is still unclear.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early, allowing time for registration and security. Go to the confirmed gate and hall, not the main hospital entrance unless instructed.
At registration, present your original ID and entry documents, follow instructions on storing bags and phones, and note the location of toilets and the waiting area.
In the minutes before starting, do a short breathing exercise and remind yourself of your station routine: introduce yourself, gain consent, describe findings systematically, then interpret.
Read each station's instructions fully before acting. State what you are doing and why; examiners score observable reasoning, not silent competence.
Watch the clock. If you are running out of time, summarise your differential and immediate management plan rather than trailing off; a structured partial answer scores better than silence.
If a station goes badly, close it mentally and move on. Do not let one poor station consume the next one.
Do not attempt to reconstruct questions with other candidates in the corridor; follow the provider's instructions on leaving the venue and on confidentiality.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID you registered with; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a second form of identification is required.
Arrive at the reporting time stated on your admission documents; late arrival may mean exclusion. Confirm the exact reporting time and grace period with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or unauthorised notes into the practical hall. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and what is permitted at stations.
Introduce yourself, confirm the patient's or simulated patient's identity, and obtain consent before touching or examining, unless the station instructs otherwise.
Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality throughout, including when discussing cases afterwards; do not record or photograph any patient, station, or material.
Follow examiner instructions precisely and do not ask for hints, marks, or clarification of the clinical answer; ask only about procedural matters if invited.
Breaks and movement between stations are usually directed by marshals; stay with your group, and confirm with the provider whether any personal break is allowed.
Scoring is set by the examining body and is not disclosed at the station; do not ask examiners for your result. Direct any query about scoring, appeals, or results to the official provider.