NZREX Clinical exam-day guide
NZREX Clinical · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original passport or another government-issued photo ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether a second ID is required; do not rely on a photocopy.
Confirmation and scheduling correspondence
Carry a printed or offline copy of your booking confirmation, candidate number, and any venue instructions. Confirm with the provider whether electronic copies are accepted and whether you must report at a specific time before your slot.
Clinical clothing and closed-toe shoes
Wear clean, professional clinical attire that allows you to move, bend, and perform examinations comfortably. Confirm with the provider whether a white coat, scrubs, or a specific dress code is required and whether a changing room is available.
Stethoscope
Bring your own stethoscope if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether personal equipment is allowed or whether all equipment is supplied at the station; do not assume you may use your own.
Watch with a second hand or digital timer
A simple watch helps you track station time without relying on wall clocks. Confirm with the provider whether watches, including smartwatches, are permitted in the test area; smart devices are commonly restricted.
Water and a light snack
Hydration and a quick snack between circuits help sustain concentration. Confirm with the provider where food and drink may be consumed and whether the test centre has a designated area.
Personal medication and necessary medical items
If you need regular medication, carry it and tell the invigilator on arrival. Confirm with the provider how to declare and store medication, and whether you need documentation for any device or item.
Leave valuables and smart devices at home or in secure storage
Phones, smartwatches, and notes are typically prohibited in the test area. Confirm with the provider what storage is available and what happens to prohibited items; plan not to rely on your phone for timing or contact.
Travel and venue plan
Plan your route and arrive with buffer time for registration and security checks. Confirm with the provider the exact building, entrance, and reporting time, because large hospital or conference venues can be difficult to navigate.
Rest and readiness plan for the day before
Protect sleep, avoid last-minute cramming of new material, and review only your own summary of station frameworks. Confirm with the provider whether any pre-test briefing or orientation is offered and attend it if available.
Language and communication preparation
Practise clear, plain English explanations and confirm you can ask a patient to repeat or clarify. The test is delivered in English; confirm with the provider whether any language accommodations are available and how to request them well in advance.
Review the published test format and station types
Read the current format description on the official provider website so you know the number and length of stations, rest stations, and circuit structure. Do not rely on second-hand accounts; confirm details with the provider.
Plan the day
Re-read the official candidate guide and confirm your reporting time, venue entrance, ID requirements, and dress code with the provider. Check travel arrangements and print or download all confirmations. Do a final review of your own station frameworks, focusing on structure, safety, and communication rather than new content. Prepare your clothes, stethoscope, watch, and documents in one bag. Protect sleep and avoid intensive cramming.
Confirm your route and transport times, including a buffer for delays. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, clinical clothing, stethoscope, watch, water, and any declared medication. Charge nothing you cannot bring; leave smart devices out of your test bag. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do a short, calm review of how you will open and close each station and how you will handle a station that goes badly.
Eat breakfast and hydrate. Dress in your planned clinical attire and take only permitted items. Arrive at the venue with time to spare for registration, ID checks, and briefing. Use the toilet before the circuit begins. If you feel anxious, use slow breathing and remind yourself that examiners assess a structured, safe approach rather than perfection.
At each station, read the instructions carefully, note the task and time, and introduce yourself to the patient or simulated patient. Wash or sanitise your hands as indicated, obtain consent, and explain what you are doing. Prioritise safety, clear communication, and a logical sequence over completing every possible step. If you make an error, acknowledge it and correct it calmly. At the end, summarise and close the station. Use rest stations to reset and do not carry a poor station into the next one.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name you registered with and present it at registration. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and examiners. Do not enter restricted areas, do not communicate with candidates during the circuit, and do not attempt to observe or discuss stations outside the designated areas.
Do not bring notes, textbooks, phones, smartwatches, or other unauthorised devices into the test area. Confirm with the provider what storage is available and declare any necessary medical device or medication on arrival.
Treat simulated patients and staff with respect and maintain professional boundaries. Obtain consent before examinations and use a chaperone where indicated by the station instructions or local policy.
Respect station timing. Stop when instructed and move promptly to the next station. Do not continue writing or examining after the signal to stop.
If you need to leave the test area for illness or another urgent reason, notify an invigilator immediately. Confirm with the provider how breaks are managed and whether unscheduled breaks affect your circuit.
Do not discuss or disclose specific station content after the test. The provider's confidentiality rules apply, and sharing station details can compromise the assessment and may breach your candidate agreement.
Scoring is based on the published criteria for each station, and results are reported through the provider's official process. Confirm with the provider the current scoring method, pass standard, and result timeline rather than relying on unofficial sources.