PGIM MD Paediatrics exam-day guide
PGIM MD Paediatrics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. If your name differs from your registration record, confirm with the provider in advance what supporting documentation they accept.
Admission or hall ticket / confirmation email
Print or download the admission document showing your candidate number, test centre, and reporting time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is acceptable.
Reporting time and centre location confirmed
Re-check the venue address and reporting time on your admission document 24 hours before, since centres and timings can be changed by the provider. Plan to arrive ahead of the stated reporting time.
Travel and accommodation plan
Know your route, allow buffer for traffic and security screening, and identify a backup route. If travelling, stay close to the centre the night before.
Permitted stationery
Confirm with the provider exactly what is allowed (pencils, eraser, sharpener, pen). Many computer-based tests prohibit bringing your own paper or writing instruments beyond what the centre supplies.
Electronic devices left at home or stored
Phones, smartwatches, and other devices are typically not permitted in the test room. Confirm the provider's storage arrangements and device rules before the day.
Personal medication and permitted comfort items
If you need medication or a permitted item (for example, an inhaler or approved medical documentation for special arrangements), confirm with the provider in advance what must be declared and how.
Water and a light snack for breaks
Confirm whether food and drink are allowed inside the test room or only during scheduled breaks, and where they must be stored.
Rest and sleep plan for the night before
Avoid late-night cramming; a full night's sleep supports recall and sustained attention on a long clinical-reasoning paper.
Backup plan for delays
Save the provider's contact details and know the procedure if you are delayed or unable to attend. Confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled and whether rescheduling is possible.
Emergency contact and funds
Carry a means of payment and an emergency contact, kept outside the test room as required by the provider.
Special arrangements confirmed
If you have approved accommodations (extra time, separate room, assistive equipment), confirm with the provider that these are recorded for your candidate number and know who to speak to on arrival.
Plan the day
Finish content revision and switch to consolidation: review your own summary notes on high-yield topics, normal values, and common clinical scenarios rather than starting new material. Re-read the provider's candidate information and confirm the venue, reporting time, and what is permitted in the test room.
Do one or two timed practice sets under exam conditions to rehearse pacing and question-reading strategy, then review errors briefly. Stop heavy practice the day before the test.
Check travel and accommodation, print or download your admission document, and set out your ID and permitted items. Confirm any special arrangements with the provider if you have not already received written confirmation.
Re-confirm the reporting time and venue on your admission document. Pack your bag with ID, admission document, and permitted items. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress in layers, and leave with generous buffer for travel and security checks. Arrive before the stated reporting time; confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled. Leave devices and prohibited items outside the test room as instructed.
Follow staff instructions for ID checks, candidate-number verification, and seating. Listen to the invigilator's briefing on timing, breaks, and how to raise a query. If something is wrong with your details or equipment, raise it immediately before the test starts.
Read each question carefully; for clinical vignettes, identify the key finding and the question asked before choosing. Answer every question if there is no penalty for wrong answers, but confirm the provider's scoring rule first. Flag uncertain items and return to them if the interface allows. Watch the clock and keep a steady pace rather than spending too long on any one item.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on break timing and what you may take with you. Use breaks to move, hydrate, and reset, and return promptly to your seat.
Note anything you found unclear and, if relevant, check the provider's published process and timeline for results and feedback. Do not discuss question content with others if the provider prohibits it.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired photo ID in your registered name; confirm with the provider what alternative identification is accepted if you lack it or your name has changed.
Follow all invigilator instructions on seating, timing, and conduct. Confirm with the provider in advance the rules on electronic devices, notes, and personal items, and comply strictly.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the test room. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, confirm with the provider beforehand rather than risk a misconduct finding.
Confirm with the provider the policy on breaks, including whether they are scheduled, timed, or optional, and whether food, drink, or medication may be taken during them.
Confirm with the provider how late arrival, absence, and rescheduling are handled, and what documentation is required for mitigating circumstances.
Confirm with the provider whether unanswered questions attract a penalty and how the paper is scored, so you can decide whether to guess on items you are unsure of.
Maintain academic integrity: do not communicate with other candidates during the test, do not share or solicit question content, and report any irregularity to the invigilator.
If you have approved special arrangements, confirm with the provider that they are recorded for your candidate number and identify yourself to staff on arrival so they can be applied.