Iran Specialty Board - Internal Medicine exam-day guide
Iran Specialty Board - Internal Medicine · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
National ID card (kart-e melli) plus a second photo ID
Bring your original national ID card and, if you have one, your passport or driver's license as backup. Confirm with the provider (the examining body running your sitting) which exact documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is allowed, since rules on substitutes can change between cycles.
Printed admission card / exam entry permit
Download and print the entry permit from the registration portal once it is released. Check that your name, national ID number, exam title, date, session time, and test center address are correct. If anything is wrong, contact the provider immediately rather than waiting for exam day.
Test center address and a route plan
Write down the full address and confirm the exact building or hall. Do a dry run or check the route the day before, and plan to arrive well before the stated reporting time. Large centers can have several entrances and gates; confirm which gate your permit specifies.
Permitted stationery only
Typically a couple of black or blue ballpoint pens and a simple pencil. Do not bring highlighters, correction fluid, or loose notes unless the provider explicitly allows them. Confirm the permitted list with the provider.
Plain analog wristwatch
Many centers do not provide a visible clock and ban smart devices. A basic non-smart watch helps you pace yourself. Confirm whether any watch is allowed at your center.
Water and a light snack for after the exam
Bring water in a clear bottle if the center permits it, and keep a snack in your bag for after the session. Rules on food and drink inside the hall vary; ask the invigilator on arrival.
Leave phone and smart devices outside the hall
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and any device that can store or transmit information are almost always prohibited. Hand them in or leave them at home. A device found on you during the exam can lead to disqualification.
Review high-yield material only in the last days
In the final 72 hours, focus on your own condensed notes, common internal medicine emergencies, and the topics you keep getting wrong. Avoid starting new textbooks or obscure subspecialty material.
Sleep and medication routine
Keep your normal sleep schedule and take regular medication as prescribed. If you need food, water, or medication during the exam for a medical reason, confirm the accommodation procedure with the provider in advance.
Know the question format and scoring in advance
Confirm the number of questions, time allowed, whether there is negative marking, and whether questions can be reviewed or changed before submitting. Practice with a timer so you know your per-question pace.
Plan the day
Confirm the date, session time, and test center on your entry permit and the provider's website. Re-read the candidate instructions for prohibited items and ID requirements. Stop studying new material; review only your condensed notes and the topics you repeatedly miss. Do one timed practice block to rehearse pacing, then stop.
Do a route check to the center, including transport times and parking or taxi access. Prepare your bag with ID, permit, pens, pencil, and watch. Charge nothing you plan to bring that is electronic, because electronics should stay home. Keep the evening calm and avoid late-night cramming.
Lay out clothes and documents by the door. Confirm your alarm and a backup alarm. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual time. Skim only a one-page summary of formulas, diagnostic criteria, and emergency algorithms; do not attempt new topics.
Eat a normal breakfast and take regular medication. Leave earlier than the route check suggested, allowing a buffer for traffic and security checks. Arrive before the stated reporting time. Keep your phone off and stowed before entering the building. Use the restroom before entering the hall.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely', 'initial step', or 'contraindicated'. Answer easy questions first and mark uncertain ones for review if the format allows. Keep an eye on the clock and protect time for the final review. Transfer answers carefully and check numbering. If a question seems ambiguous, choose the best answer and move on rather than stalling.
Note any questions or logistics issues you want to raise with the provider while they are fresh. Do not discuss question content with others in a way that breaches the confidentiality rules. Rest and wait for the official results announcement.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid identification as specified by the provider. If your ID is expired, lost, or the name does not match your registration, contact the provider before exam day; do not assume a substitute will be accepted.
Arrive before the reporting time stated on your entry permit. Late arrivals may be refused entry, and the decision rests with the center supervisor. Confirm the cutoff with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, earbuds, notes, or any device that can store or transmit information into the hall. Follow the invigilator's instructions for handing in or storing belongings.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Do not talk, exchange materials, look at another candidate's paper, or leave your seat without permission. Any suspected misconduct can lead to removal and a disciplinary report.
Confirm break policy in advance. Many board sittings give no scheduled break, so plan hydration and restroom use before the session. If you need a medical accommodation, request it through the provider well before the exam.
Confirm the scoring rules before exam day: number of questions, time allowed, whether there is negative marking, and whether answers can be changed before submission. Do not rely on rumors from previous cycles.
Keep exam content confidential. Do not copy, photograph, or reproduce questions, and do not share recalled questions in a way that breaches the provider's rules.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency during the exam, raise your hand and inform the invigilator immediately. Follow the provider's documented procedure for illness or disruption rather than leaving without notice.