FCPS Part-I exam-day guide
FCPS Part-I · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed admission document / confirmation
Print the confirmation or admit card from your candidate portal. Confirm with the provider whether a physical printout is mandatory or a digital copy is accepted; carry a printed copy regardless.
Original photo ID matching your application
Bring the same original, valid photo ID used during registration (typically passport, national ID, or driving licence). Check the provider's ID policy for exact accepted documents and validity dates.
Exam centre address, route, and arrival time
Confirm the exact venue and reporting time with the provider one week before. Do a route rehearsal or check transport schedules; plan to arrive at least 45–60 minutes early unless the provider states otherwise.
Permitted items only (e.g., transparent water bottle, simple analog watch)
Most computer-based test centres prohibit phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags in the testing room. Check the provider's list of permitted and prohibited items; lockers may or may not be available.
No food or drink unless medically approved
Confirm the provider's policy on snacks and water during breaks. If you have a medical need, ask in advance about documentation and accommodations.
Restroom and hydration plan
Use the restroom before check-in. Know whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops; confirm with the provider.
Review the official tutorial and interface
Complete any free official tutorial or practice test so you know the navigation, flagging, and calculator tools. This reduces time lost on exam day.
Sleep and medication routine
Keep your normal sleep schedule for the final week. If you take regular medication, confirm with the provider whether it can be brought into the testing room.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Save the provider's candidate services contact and the venue phone number. Plan a backup transport option in case of delays.
Needs review: exact arrival cut-off time
Late-arrival rules vary; confirm with the provider how many minutes before the start you must be checked in and what happens if you are late. Do not assume you will be admitted after the cut-off.
Needs review: calculator and scratch paper policy
Confirm with the provider whether an on-screen calculator, physical calculator, or scratch paper is provided or prohibited. Policies differ by exam and centre.
Needs review: break schedule and timing
Confirm whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or unscheduled, and whether the exam clock pauses. Do not rely on assumptions from other exams.
Plan the day
Reconfirm venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Print your admission document and ID copies. Stop learning new topics; review only your summary sheets and error log. Do one short mixed set of questions under timed conditions, then rest.
Check transport and weather. Prepare clothes in layers and a small bag for permitted items. Review high-yield lists (e.g., common formulas, classification criteria) for no more than 2–3 hours total. Avoid caffeine after early afternoon.
Pack your bag: admission document, original ID, permitted items, venue directions, and emergency contact. Visit the venue area if practical to confirm travel time. Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and aim for 7–8 hours of sleep. Do not attempt a full mock exam.
Eat a light, familiar breakfast. Recheck that your ID and admission document are in your bag. Leave with a buffer of at least 30–45 minutes beyond your planned travel time. Arrive early, complete check-in, use the restroom, and do a brief breathing exercise rather than last-minute cramming.
Read the tutorial screens carefully, confirm the timer and navigation. Answer easy questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock and allocate roughly one minute per question unless the provider's format differs. Take scheduled breaks if allowed; otherwise use micro-pauses. Before submitting, check that no flagged questions remain unanswered.
Note your flagged topics while memory is fresh. Confirm with the provider when and how results are released. Do not discuss specific question content in a way that breaches the exam's confidentiality rules.
Rules to check
Bring the exact original photo ID used in your application; a photocopy or expired document is usually not accepted. Confirm the provider's accepted ID list before exam day.
Arrive by the reporting time stated on your admission document. Late arrival may result in refused admission or reduced testing time; confirm the cut-off with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, notes, or unauthorised electronic devices into the testing room. Follow the centre's storage instructions and confirm prohibited items in advance.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and proctors. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not attempt to copy, photograph, or share exam content.
Use only permitted materials. If a calculator or scratch paper is allowed, confirm the exact type with the provider; otherwise assume they are prohibited.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy. Confirm whether breaks are scheduled or unscheduled and whether the timer stops; do not leave the testing area without permission.
Scoring rules, including whether incorrect answers are penalised, are set by the provider. Confirm the scoring model before exam day and answer accordingly.
If you feel unwell or experience a technical problem, raise your hand immediately and inform the invigilator; do not attempt to fix equipment yourself.