Sitting for the examination

Arriving for the examination

The Confirmation Email will specify the examination date, venue and time.

Candidates are advised to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to start of the examination. If a candidate arrives after the examination has begun, he/she may not be admitted to the examination and a failed attempt will be recorded. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the location of the allocated Test Centre, parking facilities and nearby food outlets prior to the examination day.

Friends or relatives who accompany the candidates to the Test Centre will not be permitted to wait inside the Centre and cannot contact them while the examination is in progress.

Admission to the examination

Candidates must present two forms of personal identification for examination security. The two forms are:

• Primary ID:
  A current government-issued form of ID that contains a recent photograph of the candidate and his/her signature/thumbprint. A valid NRIC or Passport is acceptable.
  

• Secondary ID:
  A form of ID that includes the candidate’s signature, but not necessarily a photograph. For example, valid credit card, or ATM card is acceptable.

When a candidate’s application to take the examination is approved, his/her name (exactly as it appears on the Application Form and Letter of Eligibility Status) is transferred to the Test Vendor. The name that appears on his/her ID must match the name sent to the Test Vendor. If the name on the ID does not match the name on the file, he/she may not be admitted to the examination and a failed attempt will be recorded.

The candidate’s palm vein scan, signature and photograph will be taken on the day of the examination. This requirement is necessary for the candidate to take the examination. Palm vein technology works by scanning the veins inside of the hand to create a digital template that represents the candidate’s vein pattern. The palm vein reader uses a safe, near-infrared light source, similar to a television remote.

Candidates will be asked to read the “Candidate Rules Checklist” upon arrival at the Test Centre and provide a digital signature indicating his/her agreement to comply with the security terms of the administration of the examination. If a candidate does not provide a digital signature, he/she may not be admitted to the examination and a failed attempt will be recorded.

The Test Administrator will give candidates a brief orientation and escort them to their designated computer workstation in the testing room. If a candidate is left-handed, he/she may request that the mouse be moved to the left side of the computer monitor and reset to operate as a left-handed mouse.

Candidates may request that the height and contrast of their monitor be adjusted. They may also request that the monitor be moved from the top of the computer.

The Test Administrator will provide erasable note boards that will be replaced as needed during testing. (Note: Candidates will also be able to type and save notes in a pop-up box that accompanies each examination question.)

If a candidate is easily distracted by noise, including keyboard noise, he/she may request for ear plugs from the Test Administrator. A candidate’s own earplugs, headphones or other personal devices are not permitted in the Test Centres.

Personal items

Personal items are not permitted in the testing room. Candidates are required to leave their personal belongings outside the testing room. A secure individual storage locker will be provided for these items. However, storage space is limited so candidates should plan accordingly. The Test Centre assumes no responsibility for candidates’ personal belongings.

All eyeglasses/spectacles will be visually inspected by the Test Administrator before candidates are allowed entry into the testing room.  When requested by the Administrator, candidates are required to remove their eyeglasses/spectacles and hold them out and turn them in both directions so they can be easily viewed.  The Administrator will NOT touch candidates’ eyeglasses/spectacles.

While the temperature in the testing room should be comfortable, dressing in layers is recommended. Outerwear (jackets, coats, etc.) are not permitted; however, sweaters are permitted. Additionally, to assure examination security, the following are NOT permitted in the testing room:

• All electronic devices, including cell phones, cameras, recording devices, PDAs, calculators, pagers, and beepers.

• Watches. The time of day will be displayed on a clock in the testing room, and the time remaining in the examination session will be displayed on your computer screen.

• Calipers, normograms or other interpretive aids.

• Study materials, books, notes, scratch paper, etc.

• Pens, pencils, highlighters and other writing instruments. The Test Administrator will provide note boards that will be replaced as needed. Note boards may not be removed from the testing room and must be turned in to the Test Administrator when candidates complete the examination session. In addition, candidates may type and save notes in the “Notes” section available for each examination question. Note boards and the “Notes” section are provided for candidates' convenience and are not considered in the evaluation of the examination.

• Suitcases, briefcases, backpacks, spectacle cases.

• Wallets and purses.

• Tobacco products.

• Food and drinks. Candidates may bring their own lunch to the Test Centre, but there is no access to refrigeration or lounge facilities. Candidates may also bring bottled water to store in the locker. 

The above list is non-exclusive including, without limitation to facilitate exam security, additional items may from time to time be prohibited in the testing room.

Certain essential medical items (e.g. nitroglycerin, asthma inhalers, diabetic supplies) may be brought into the testing room with prior approval from MOH. Candidates should submit their request to MOH via email to ser@ams.edu.sg and MOH_PMES@moh.gov.sg within five (5) working days from the date of the Letter of Eligibility Status.

Test Centre environment

Every computer Test Centre offers a professional test environment. Each centre has an administrator workstation, waiting room, proctor workstation, testing room, and the appropriate number of proctors.

Examination regulations and rules of conduct

Assistance during an examination session

Candidates must remain in their seat during the examination sessions, unless authorised to leave by the Test Administrator. Candidates must raise their hand to alert the Test Administrator if he/she:

• Has a problem with his/her computer;

• Needs a clean note board or scratch pad;

• Needs to leave the testing room for any reason;

• Has inadvertently brought any personal belongings into the testing room;

• Needs earplugs if he/she is easily distracted by noise, including typing noise; or

• Needs assistance for any other reason except for exam-specific questions.

Taking scheduled breaks

• Scheduled breaks occur at the completion of each examination session. Taking scheduled breaks is optional and the total available time for the scheduled breaks will appear on the candidate's screen. Candidates can decline a scheduled break and immediately begin the next examination session.

• If a candidate chooses to use some or all of their available break time, he/she will need to alert the Test Administrator.

• The Test Administrator will escort him/her from the testing room. If the available break time is exceeded, time will automatically be deducted from the next examination session.

• Candidates are reminded to be mindful that others may still be testing and to speak quietly if necessary.  All form of communications or discussions of test content with other candidates is disallowed and is in violation of the candidate rules.

Returning from scheduled breaks

• Candidates must provide their palm vein scans each time they enter and leave the testing room. Candidates should allow sufficient time (as much as ten (10) minutes) to return to their seats before the end of a scheduled break. If the available time is exceeded, time will automatically be deducted from the next examination session.

• At the end of a scheduled break, the clock on the computer will automatically start the next examination session.

Taking unscheduled breaks

• Unscheduled breaks are discouraged and should not be used frequently. If a candidate needs to leave the testing room during the examination session, he/she will need to alert the Test Administrator.

• The Test Administrator will set his/her computer to “Unscheduled Break” mode. The screen will display the session time with the clock continuing to count down, and the display screen he/she was working on will be hidden. The Test Administrator will provide him/her with a yellow lanyard to wear during an unscheduled break and escort him/her from the testing room.

• Candidates should exit the testing room as quietly as possible and cannot leave the immediate vicinity of the testing room or restrooms while an examination session is in progress. Candidates will have their palm vein scans captured.

• Candidates are not allowed to access study materials, cell phones or any other electronic devices from their lockers during an unscheduled break.

Returning from unscheduled breaks

• Candidates must have  their palm vein scans captured each time before they enter the testing room. When a candidate returns to his/her workstation, the Test Administrator will reset the computer so that he/she may continue the examination from where he/she has left off.

Five-minute notification

• A message box will appear on candidates' computer screen as a reminder when they have five (5) minutes remaining to the end of a session.

• If a candidate is still working at the end of the session, the computer screen will turn grey, a message will state that time has expired, and no further keyboard and mouse responses will be recorded.

Technical or computer problems

• In the event of a computer or other technical problem, the computer system will ensure that no test time is lost and all the answer choices are saved.

• Candidates must raise their hand to notify the Test Administrator if there is a problem. The Test Administrator will follow established procedures to resolve the problem.

• Candidates are not allowed to leave the testing room unless authorised by the Test Administrator.

Beginning the examination

At the start of the examination, candidates will see several screens reviewing instructions about taking the examination and examination security.

Candidates will be asked to agree to the Pledge for Professional Conduct for Examinations, affirming that he/she will follow the governing authority and the Test Vendor rules.

Examination sessions and scheduled breaks

The Examination Day spans approximately 6 hours 30 minutes. The day is divided into several sections, each containing up to 50 multiple-choice questions. The schedule includes registration, an optional tutorial, instructions, examination sections, optional breaks and an optional survey.