MSF RCP exam-day guide
MSF RCP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID the certification body requires (typically a valid passport or national ID). The name must match your registration. Confirm the accepted ID types and name-match rule with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have your booking confirmation, candidate/registration number, and the test centre address and phone number saved offline on your phone and on paper.
Know your exam format and timing
Confirm the number of questions, time limit, pass mark, and whether the exam is computer-based or paper. Do not rely on secondhand reports; check the official candidate handbook.
Confirm the venue and travel plan
Check the exact building, entrance, and arrival time. Test centres can be inside larger complexes; do a route check and note public transport or parking options.
Arrive early
Plan to arrive ahead of your appointment to allow for security checks and registration. Ask the provider how early you should arrive and what happens if you are late.
Review the syllabus and weighting
Use the official syllabus to prioritise high-weight domains. Make a one-page summary of weak areas for last-minute review.
Practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one full-length timed practice set in the final week so you know your pace per question and your review strategy.
Know what is prohibited
Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are usually not allowed in the test room. Confirm the provider's rules on personal items and storage.
Plan breaks, food, and medication
Eat a normal meal beforehand and bring water if permitted. If you need medication or accommodations, confirm the procedure with the provider in advance.
Sleep and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge your phone, and lay out ID and confirmation the night before. Avoid last-minute cramming that costs sleep.
Read the candidate handbook
Check the official handbook for scoring, resit, and result-timing policies. Policies vary, so confirm rather than assume.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your one-page summaries and flagged weak areas. Do one timed practice set, review every wrong answer, and confirm venue, arrival time, and ID requirements with the provider.
Light review only: key definitions, frameworks, and calculation formulas. Prepare ID, confirmation, and travel plan. Confirm the appointment if the provider requires it. Go to bed at a normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and do a short calm review of your summary sheet, not new topics. Leave prohibited items at home or in storage as directed. Follow registration and security instructions.
Read the instructions and note the time limit. Answer easier questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock and keep a buffer for review. If a question is unclear, choose the best-supported answer and move on. Confirm with the provider whether you may ask the invigilator for clarification on wording.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh. Check the provider's stated result timeline and resit rules; do not assume an instant result.
Rules to check
Bring the ID type specified by the certification body, with a name matching your registration. Confirm accepted documents with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Do not bring phones, smart watches, notes, or unauthorized materials into the test room unless the provider explicitly permits them.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test. If you believe there is a problem with a question or equipment, raise it with the invigilator rather than discussing it with others.
Ask the provider in advance about scheduled and unscheduled breaks, and whether leaving the room is permitted. Rules differ between computer-based and paper exams.
Scoring, pass marks, and result reporting are set by the certification body. Confirm the exact pass standard and how results are issued rather than relying on rumor.
If you need accommodations, request them well before the exam through the provider's documented process.
Report any irregularity or technical failure to the invigilator immediately and ask how it will be recorded, so it can be considered in any review.
Do not attempt to record, copy, or share exam content. Doing so typically breaches the candidate agreement and can void your result.