Morocco Pharmacy Residency Exam exam-day guide
Morocco Pharmacy Residency Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation notice (استدعاء)
Print the convocation or summon document issued for the residency competition (concours de résidanat) and keep a paper copy with you. It usually states the date, session times, and center. Format and issuing body vary by year, so confirm with the provider (Ministry of Health / CHU faculty) what document is required this cycle.
National identity card (CIN) or passport
Bring the original national identity card (carte d'identité nationale) or passport. A photocopy is generally not accepted as proof of identity. Confirm with the provider which identity documents are accepted for your center.
Candidate number / registration confirmation
Carry your candidate number or registration receipt if one was issued. The exact naming and whether it is needed at the desk depends on the organizing body; confirm with the provider.
Black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Most written competitions use answer sheets that must be filled in dark ink. Bring two black ballpoint pens and check they write before leaving home.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful if the paper uses a machine-readable grid or if you need to draft. Only bring them if the provider permits personal stationery; confirm the allowed list.
Simple non-programmable watch
Many exam rooms do not have a visible clock, and phones are usually forbidden at the desk. A basic analog or digital watch without smart features is safer than relying on a phone.
Printed convocation plus a small map of the center
Check the exact building and gate in advance. University hospital campuses (CHU) often have several entrances and multiple amphitheatres; arriving at the wrong one costs time.
Water and a light snack
Long written sessions can run several hours. Bring water in a transparent bottle and a snack for after the session. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed inside the room.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Smartphones, connected watches, and earbuds are typically prohibited at the desk. If you must bring a phone, keep it off and out of reach; confirm the center's storage rules with the provider.
Review the official program and scoring notice
Re-read the official notice for the session: number of questions, duration, whether there is a penalty for wrong answers, and how ties are handled. These details change between cycles, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on older candidates' accounts.
Plan transport and backup
Work out the route and an alternative (taxi, tram, or a ride from a family member). Aim to be at the center well before the stated reporting time, allowing for traffic and security checks.
Sleep and medication routine
Keep your usual sleep schedule for the last two nights. If you take regular medication or need prescription glasses, pack them the night before so nothing is forgotten on the morning.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and high-yield lists in pharmacology, galenic pharmacy, and the core disciplines covered by the program. Re-read the official notice one more time to confirm the center, reporting time, and allowed items. Prepare the documents (convocation, ID) in a single plastic folder and place it by the door. Check transport options and, if the center is far, decide whether to stay nearby the night before. Keep meals and sleep regular; avoid all-nighters, which cost more than they gain on a multi-hour written paper.
Do a light review only in the morning, then stop. Visit or locate the exam center if you have not already, so you know the gate and building. Lay out clothes, the document folder, pens, watch, water, and snack. 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. Do not spend the evening in group chats comparing answers or predictions; it raises anxiety without adding knowledge.
Eat a normal breakfast you tolerate well; avoid trying a new food or an energy drink you do not usually take. Recheck the folder: convocation, ID, pens, watch, water. Leave earlier than the route requires, aiming to arrive before the reporting time so you have margin for security checks and finding your seat. Once seated, read the instructions on the paper before writing, note the total number of questions and the time per question, and fill in your identifying details exactly as instructed.
Do a first pass answering the questions you know, marking uncertain ones, then return to them. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints (for example every 30 minutes) rather than constantly. If there is a penalty for wrong answers, apply the rule you confirmed in advance rather than guessing at random. Keep answer-sheet entries aligned with question numbers, and reserve the last minutes to check that every line is filled and your identity fields are correct. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and follow the invigilator's instructions.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document named in the official notice; a photocopy is generally not accepted. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid for your center.
Arrive before the stated reporting time. Candidates arriving after the doors close may be refused entry; the exact cutoff is set by the organizing body, so confirm it with the provider.
Phones, connected watches, and earbuds are normally prohibited at the desk. Keep them switched off and stored as instructed; a device found on you during the session can lead to exclusion.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on filling the answer sheet, and write your candidate details exactly as given. Misidentified or misaligned sheets may not be scored.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the session. Any suspicion of cheating is handled under the competition's disciplinary rules; the procedure is set by the organizing body, so confirm the details with the provider.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually at the invigilator's discretion and may be escorted. Plan water intake accordingly and confirm the center's policy in advance.
Scoring, penalties for wrong answers, and tie-breaking rules are published in the official notice for each cycle. Read that notice and confirm with the provider rather than relying on previous years.