PGIM MD Family Medicine exam-day guide
PGIM MD Family Medicine · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired photo ID in the name you registered with. If your registration name differs from your ID (for example, a name change), confirm accepted bridging documents with the test provider before test day.
Confirmation of scheduling and test-center details
Have your appointment confirmation, test-center address, and arrival time saved offline on your phone and printed. Confirm the exact arrival time and check-in window with the provider, since these vary by center and delivery format.
Know your delivery format and permitted materials
Determine in advance whether you are sitting an in-person or remote-proctored exam and what is allowed at your seat. Many high-stakes exams prohibit personal notes, phones, and smart devices; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider rather than assuming.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator
Confirm whether a calculator is provided on-screen, permitted as a physical device, or prohibited. If a physical calculator is allowed, check the approved model list and bring only that model.
Comfort items permitted by the provider
Pack water, a snack, and any permitted medical items (for example, necessary medication or glasses). Confirm rules for food, drink, and personal medical items with the provider in advance.
Remote-testing environment check (if applicable)
If testing remotely, confirm system requirements, run the equipment check, and prepare a private, quiet room with a stable connection and a clear desk. Verify webcam and microphone function the day before.
Rest and travel plan
Plan your route and arrive with buffer time for traffic, parking, and security screening. Aim for a full night's sleep rather than last-minute cramming; fatigue measurably degrades reasoning on long exams.
Review your weak areas, not new material
In the final days, revisit high-yield topics you have already studied. Avoid starting unfamiliar material that could increase anxiety without improving recall.
Confirm break and timing policy
Check the provider's rules on scheduled versus optional breaks, whether the clock stops during breaks, and how to request a break. Policies differ between in-person and remote delivery; confirm with the provider.
Confirm scoring and results timeline
Understand how the exam is scored (for example, pass/fail or scaled score) and when and how results are released. Ask the provider if this is not stated in your candidate materials.
Backup plan for technology or transport failure
Have a phone number for the test center or provider support and a backup transport option. For remote testing, know the support contact in case of disconnection.
Read the candidate handbook
Review the official candidate handbook for conduct rules, prohibited items, and identification requirements. This is the authoritative source; treat any third-party summary as secondary.
Plan the day
Shift from new content to consolidation. Review summaries, high-yield tables, and your own error log. Take one short practice set under timed conditions to check pacing, then stop heavy practice. Confirm logistics: test-center address or remote setup, arrival time, ID, and permitted items. Protect sleep.
Do a light review of core frameworks only. Pack your bag or set up your testing space: ID, confirmation, permitted calculator, water and snack, and any approved medical items. Run a final equipment check if testing remotely. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive early enough to complete check-in without rushing. Leave your phone and smart devices secured as directed. Do a brief, calm review of a single high-yield sheet, not a deep dive. Use the restroom before the exam begins.
Read each question stem fully and identify what is being asked before looking at options. Answer every question; if unsure, eliminate clearly wrong options and choose the best remaining answer, then flag and move on. Watch the clock and keep a steady pace rather than spending too long on any one item. Use scheduled breaks as permitted, and take a short mental reset between blocks. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor or support immediately.
Note any topics that felt weak while memory is fresh, for future study or remediation. Confirm with the provider when and how results will be released, and avoid comparing detailed question content with others, which may breach conduct rules.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registered name. If names differ, confirm accepted documentation with the provider before test day.
Follow all proctor instructions and the candidate handbook. Prohibited items such as phones, smart watches, and unauthorized notes are typically not permitted in the testing room; confirm the exact list with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates about specific exam content during or after the test. Sharing or reproducing questions may violate the provider's confidentiality agreement.
Breaks are governed by provider policy: some exams have scheduled breaks, others optional ones, and the clock may or may not stop. Confirm the break rules for your delivery format with the provider.
Understand how your exam is scored and what constitutes a passing result before test day. If scoring or reporting is unclear, ask the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
If you need testing accommodations, arrange them with the provider well in advance; approval timelines vary and cannot typically be handled on test day.
Report any technical failure, interruption, or irregularity to the proctor or support immediately and ask how it will be documented, since later claims may be harder to substantiate.
Arrive within the provider's check-in window. Late arrival may result in forfeiture of your appointment or fee; confirm the exact policy with the provider.