What can you expect on the day?

When should you arrive?

When your exam is confirmed, we will tell you what time to arrive.

You’ll receive confirmation of your venue address no later than 7 days before your exam date. This will be sent directly to you from either the British Council or VICTVS, depending on the location of your exam.

If you are more than half an hour late, you will not be allowed to enter the examination room. You will not be allowed to leave the room in the first or last half hour of the examination.

You can expect to be at the examination centre for at least four hours. 

What should you bring with you?

Identification

Bring proof of identification with you. We accept any one of the following.

• Passport
• UK Immigration and Nationality Department identification document
• Home Office travel document
• UK driving licence
• EU identity card

If you don't have one of the above you can take the exam but you'll need to provide your identification document or evidence of change of name later in the process. A digital photograph and your signature will be obtained at the venue should you attend without acceptable ID evidence.

Booking confirmation

Bring the booking confirmation that includes your GMC reference number.

If the name on your identification document is different from that on the booking confirmation from the GMC or British Council, you must also bring original evidence that you are the person named in that letter. We will accept:

• marriage certificate
• a declaration from the awarding body which granted your primary medical qualification, stating that both names relate to you.

Stationery

You should bring HB pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener.

Other items

You may bring a bottle of water in a clear bottle with all labels removed, one or two items of fruit to snack on and any medications you may require.

Please note that we no longer allow candidates to enter the exam hall with watches or keep them on desks. This includes basic analogue watches, all digital watches and smart watches.

The time will be visible in the examination hall and invigilators will provide you with time checks.

Candidates are reminded that the weather in the UK can become very cold during the winter months. You may take a jumper/cardigan in with you.

What shouldn't you bring?

You don't need to bring the following into the exam:

• a calculator or any other equipment.
• wristwatches (analogue, digital or smartwatches)
• coats, bags, telephones or other electronic devices

There are no waiting areas for family and friends. They will not be allowed into the venue under any circumstance.

What do you do if you are unwell on the exam day?

Before the exam

If you can’t attend the examination because of serious illness or another overwhelming problem, or begin to feel too unwell to start the exam after you arrive, please let us know as soon as possible.

During the exam

By presenting yourself for the exam, you deem yourself fit to be assessed. Should this change at any point, you must tell an invigilator immediately.

If you have an underlying health condition or consider yourself to be clinically vulnerable, you are welcome to wear a face mask as an extra measure of protection.

What conduct is expected during the exam?

You should familiarise yourself with the misconduct procedures before attending the exam.