Iran Medical Basic Sciences Exam exam-day guide
Iran Medical Basic Sciences Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed admission card / exam entry permit
The Iranian Medical Council (سازمان نظام پزشکی) and the Ministry of Health typically issue an entry card through the registration portal before the basic sciences exam. Print it and keep a paper copy plus a photo on your phone. Confirm the exact issuing body and whether a printed copy is mandatory with the provider - needs_review.
National ID card (کارت ملی) or valid passport
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration data exactly. A expired or mismatched ID is a common reason for being turned away. Confirm which IDs are accepted for your specific exam cycle with the provider - needs_review.
Two or three black ballpoint pens and a pencil
Answer sheets for multiple-choice exams are usually machine-read, so use the pen type the instructions specify. Bring spares; do not rely on the hall providing stationery.
Eraser and pencil sharpener
Needed if you are allowed to mark a question booklet or a draft sheet. Keep them in a clear pouch if the venue restricts bags.
Printed exam venue address, gate number, and seat/registration number
Venues are often large university or conference halls with multiple gates. Write the full address in Persian, the gate, and your registration number on paper so you do not depend on mobile data.
Offline map screenshot and a backup transport plan
Save a screenshot of the route and note a second way to reach the venue in case of traffic or a metro disruption. Plan to arrive well before the stated reporting time.
Water and a light snack for after the exam
Food and drink are usually not allowed at the desk. Keep them in a bag outside the hall and confirm the venue's policy on bringing bags - needs_review.
Simple analog watch (no smart features)
Many halls have no visible clock. Smartwatches and phones are typically prohibited at the desk; confirm whether any watch is allowed with the provider - needs_review.
Layered clothing and comfortable shoes
Exam halls can be cold or poorly ventilated. Dress in layers you can remove without disturbing others.
Reviewed high-yield summary sheets only
In the last days, revise condensed notes on high-weight basic sciences topics (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and public health) rather than starting new material.
Confirmed exam date, start time, and duration
Schedules differ by cycle and by whether you sit the Ministry or Medical Council route. Verify the date, reporting time, and total minutes on your admission card and with the provider - needs_review.
Checked prohibited-item list
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are normally banned at the desk. Read the current instructions on your admission card or portal; do not assume the rules from a previous cycle.
Plan the day
Stop opening new textbooks. Work through condensed summaries of the highest-weight subjects and redo a timed mock or past-paper-style set under exam conditions to practise pacing. Write down the topics you still miss and review only those.
Confirm the venue address, gate, reporting time, and your registration number. Print the admission card and ID copies. Check that your ID is valid and that your name and photo match the registration record.
Plan the journey: check transport options, estimate travel time with a buffer, and identify a backup route. If the venue is far, consider staying nearby the night before.
Protect sleep. Shift bedtime gradually so you wake naturally before the reporting time, and avoid all-night cramming, which usually costs more marks than it gains.
Pack the clear pouch: admission card, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, watch, water and snack for afterwards. Lay out clothing. Charge your phone but plan to leave it outside the hall.
Do a light review of formulas, normal values, and mnemonics only. Stop studying by early evening. Eat a normal meal and avoid unfamiliar food or heavy caffeine.
Re-check the reporting time and any last-minute notices on the official portal or your admission card. Set two alarms and arrange your transport for the morning.
Eat a normal breakfast, take your ID and admission card, and leave with a generous buffer. Aim to reach the venue area early rather than at the reporting time.
At the venue, find the correct gate and hall, confirm your seat, and follow staff instructions for ID checks and prohibited items. Keep documents in hand.
Read the instructions on the answer sheet first. Fill in your registration number and personal details exactly as instructed, then check them once before starting.
Do a first pass answering questions you know, mark uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock and reserve time to transfer answers and check alignment of question and answer numbers.
If negative marking applies, answer only when you can eliminate options; confirm the scoring rule with the provider beforehand - needs_review. Leave no transfer errors on the sheet.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID and admission card that match your registration. If names, photos, or numbers do not match, staff may refuse entry; confirm the exact accepted documents with the provider - needs_review.
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are normally prohibited at the desk. Follow the current instructions on your admission card and do not rely on rules from a previous cycle.
Arrive before the stated reporting time. Late entry is usually restricted once the exam has started; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider - needs_review.
Follow invigilator instructions. Talking, exchanging materials, or looking at another candidate's sheet is treated as misconduct and can lead to removal or cancellation.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam, and leaving the hall may not be allowed until you finish. Confirm the break and toilet policy with the provider - needs_review.
Scoring rules, including whether wrong answers carry negative marks and how the pass mark is set, vary by cycle. Confirm the current scoring policy with the provider - needs_review.
Mark answers only on the official answer sheet using the specified pen, and keep the sheet clean. Machine-read sheets may reject stray marks or poorly filled bubbles.
Do not remove question booklets, answer sheets, or rough paper from the hall unless staff explicitly allow it.