Iran Ophthalmology Specialty Board exam-day guide
Iran Ophthalmology Specialty Board · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
National ID card (کارت ملی) plus a second photo ID
Bring your original national ID card and, if you have one, your passport or driver's license as backup. Whether a printed admission card (کارت ورود به جلسه) is also mandatory is set by the administering body each cycle - confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether photocopies are refused.
Printed admission card / exam entry permit
Most Iranian high-stakes exams require a printed entry permit with your photo, seat number, and exam site. Download and print it as soon as it is released; do not rely on a phone screenshot. Confirm with the provider whether printing is required and whether the barcode must be legible.
Two or three black or blue ballpoint pens
Objective answer sheets are usually machine-read; use only the pen type the instructions specify and avoid gel pens that smudge. If the exam includes a written/structured section, bring spare pens and a pencil for rough work if permitted.
Simple, non-programmable watch
Many exam halls have no visible clock. Smart watches and any device with communication or storage capability are almost always banned - confirm with the provider what timepieces are allowed.
Transparent plastic bag for personal items
Some sites require all personal items to be in a clear bag at the front of the hall. Confirm with the provider whether bags are allowed at the seat or must be left outside.
Water and a light snack for after the exam
Food and drink at the desk are often restricted. Plan to hydrate and eat before entering and after leaving; confirm with the provider whether water is permitted in the hall.
Know your exact exam site and arrival time
Visit or map the site in advance, account for Tehran or city traffic, and arrive well before the gate closes. Gates typically close before the start time and late entrants are commonly refused - confirm with the provider the exact cutoff.
Review the official instruction sheet for the current cycle
Rules on calculators, mobile phones, and prohibited items change between cycles. Read the current instruction sheet rather than relying on what previous candidates told you, and confirm any ambiguity with the provider.
Plan medication and health needs in advance
If you take regular medication or need accommodation for a health condition, contact the provider before exam day; on-the-day requests are often impossible to grant.
Confirm scoring and question format
Ask the provider whether negative marking applies, whether questions are multiple-choice only, and how the pass mark is set. Do not assume a scoring rule from another exam.
Arrange transport and a backup plan
Identify a second route and a contact who can help if transport fails. Keep your phone off and stored once inside the site.
Sleep and study logistics for the final night
Prepare clothes, documents, and pens the night before so the morning is only about getting there. Avoid new heavy material in the last 24 hours.
Plan the day
Stop starting new topics. Review your own condensed notes on high-yield ophthalmology: acute red eye triage, glaucoma acute angle closure, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, trauma and chemical burn first aid, strabismus and amblyopia basics, neuro-ophthalmology pupil and visual field patterns, and common systemic associations. Re-read the official exam instructions and confirm the site, date, and start time with the provider if anything is unclear.
Do one timed full-length practice set under exam conditions to calibrate pacing: how many seconds per question you can afford, and how you will mark uncertain items to return to. Confirm with the provider whether negative marking applies, because that changes your guessing strategy.
Print the admission card and documents, check the ID is valid, and pack the transparent bag. Confirm transport and, if the site is unfamiliar, do a dry run or study the map and gate location.
Light review only: formulas, classifications, and lists you tend to forget. Prepare clothes and pens by the door. Eat a normal meal, avoid late caffeine, and sleep at your usual time. Do not attempt an all-night review.
Eat a normal breakfast, take regular medication if prescribed, and leave earlier than you think necessary. Carry only permitted items; leave smart watches and phones with a companion or powered off as instructed. Arrive before the gate closes.
Read the instruction page fully before starting, fill in identifying details exactly as on your ID, and check the answer sheet format. Work in passes: answer clear questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return. Watch the clock at fixed intervals rather than constantly. If a question is ambiguous, choose the best answer and move on; do not leave blanks unless the scoring rules make guessing costly.
Reserve time to transfer or verify answers, ensure no item is mis-marked, and check that your name and ID fields are complete. Stop writing immediately when instructed.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid identification matching your registration; expired or mismatched documents are commonly grounds for exclusion. Confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted.
Do not bring mobile phones, smart watches, or any communication or storage device into the hall. Hand them over or leave them outside as instructed; possession at the desk is usually treated as a serious violation.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Do not talk, pass materials, or look at another candidate's paper; suspected collusion or impersonation is typically reported and can void your result.
Use only permitted stationery and calculators. Confirm with the provider in advance whether any calculator or reference material is allowed; assume none unless told otherwise.
Breaks are usually limited and may require permission and an escort. Confirm with the provider whether you may leave the hall during the exam and whether the clock stops.
Scoring, negative marking, and the pass threshold are set by the administering body. Confirm these with the provider rather than relying on rumor, and answer accordingly.
If you believe a question is defective or the conditions are unfair, note it and raise it through the official channel after the exam; do not disrupt the sitting.
Keep your answer sheet and question booklet until the end and hand in everything as instructed. Removing exam materials is typically prohibited.