Most candidates spend months preparing their cases but almost no time preparing for the exam day itself. Knowing the logistics, the room setup, and the small details can make a bigger difference than you think.
The Room Setup
You will be in a room with two examiners. In front of you is a computer where your case summaries and documents are displayed. To your left or right is a large TV screen connected to the imaging system.
Before you start presenting, pull up ALL of your PDFs on the computer. Get them organized. You do not want to be searching for a document while the clock is ticking.
Learn the Imaging System Before Exam Day
The imaging system interface is available to practice with before the exam. Learn how to click, resize, and do two-up views. Candidates who are comfortable with the system spend their mental energy on presenting, not on figuring out how to pull up an X-ray.
While presenting one case, have your next case's images ready to go. The transition between cases should be seamless.
Timing and Breaks
The exam consists of four 30-minute testing periods. There are 5-minute breaks between each session. Use every single break to go to the bathroom, drink water, and reset mentally. Do not spend break time chatting with examiners or other candidates. Stay focused.
The First 60 Seconds
Your opening sets the tone. Walk in, sit down, and begin presenting with structure and confidence. Have your case summary pulled up on the screen in front of you for reference. Do not read it verbatim, but use it as a guide so nerves do not make you forget key details.
The examiners form an impression quickly. A candidate who opens organized and composed gets the benefit of the doubt throughout the session. A candidate who fumbles the opening is playing catch-up.
What NOT to Do on Exam Day
- Do not make small talk with examiners while waiting. Stay focused. Save your social energy for presenting.
- Do not skip bathroom breaks. Physical discomfort is a distraction you can eliminate entirely. Go at every break.
- Do not let a bad case derail you. If one presentation goes poorly, reset during the break and treat the next session as a fresh start. Examiners score each case independently.
- Do not try to impress with obscure knowledge. Clear, organized, patient-centered reasoning beats encyclopedic recall every time.
The Night Before
Do not cram. If you are not ready the night before, one more evening of studying will not save you. Review your case summaries one final time, lay out what you need for the morning, and get sleep. The exam tests composure under pressure, and sleep deprivation is the enemy of composure.