Last updated March 29, 2021
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE!
We recommend that you review the following information in order to familiarize yourself with the applied exam interface. Please note that while the information on this page is accurate, some small details are subject to change. We may be updating this page frequently. We recommend that you bookmark this page, so you can easily return to it for reference.
Please note all 2021 applied exams will be administered at hotel exam sites.
What to expect during your applied exam
You must bring a piece of government-issued photo identification with your signature to your exam. Examples of acceptable identification include a passport, driver’s license or provincial health card. Documents must be in either English or French.
An admission card will be presented to you at the exam site during registration. A representative of the Royal College will ask you to sign it in his/her presence. Once you’ve signed your admission card, you will be provided with login credentials for the exam software.
You will also be asked to turn in your electronic devices. Electronic devices are not allowed in your hotel exam room. All electronic devices, including cell phones and digital/smart watches, will be collected. They will be returned to you at the end of the examination or sequestering period.
The only items you are allowed to bring to your assigned hotel room are your login credentials, a snack and drink. You are also permitted to bring any PPE that you wish to wear for the exams. Some PPE equipment (masks) and sanitizer may be available to candidates, recognizing the ongoing supply and availability challenges. Proceed to your assigned hotel room.
There will be a designated area to store all your personal belongings. If you wish to wear a watch for your own timekeeping purposes, please wear an analogue watch. There is also a timer on the exam interface and in the bottom corner of the laptop.
Please read this important fact sheet, related to your specialty, which contains important information about number of examiners, stations, time management, examiner professionalism and when you will get your results. Please select the fact sheet that pertains to your specialty.
Specialties with 4x15 format – Internal Medicine
Specialties with 4x30 format – Hematological Pathology, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
Specialties with 6x20 format – Cardiac Surgery, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Medical Genetics & Genomics, Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Urology
Specialties with 8x15 format – Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Radiology, General Surgery, Medical Microbiology, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, Public Health & Preventative Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Rheumatology (Adult)
Part 1 - General Exam Information | |
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Examiners | You will encounter 4 different examiners during the course of this exam. |
Part 2 – Conduct of Exam | |
Station information |
This is a 4 station OSCE style oral exam. The stations are 15 minutes each with 2 minutes between stations. You may be provided with a scenario or instructions before your encounter with the examiner. Please read them carefully. The examiner will pose questions to you as you move through the cases. If at any point you would like to have a question repeated or discussion point expanded upon, do not hesitate to ask the examiner for clarification. The examiner will make every effort to respond to the request within the limits of the examination process. You may write notes on the provided scrap paper while you are in the rooms but you must leave all paper and any other materials provided to you in the room when you finish your examination. DO NOT take anything into the hotel hallways. If you are scheduled in an AM session, you will be sequestered until the next group of candidates has all registered. If at any point you have an issue in your station or trouble with computer, please notify your invigilator immediately. |
Time management |
The examiner is aware of how much material needs to be covered per station and is his/her responsibility to manage the time accordingly. The examiner will want to give you every opportunity to address all the questions within the station. He/she may indicate that, “in the interests of time you will need to move to the next question.” This type of comment has no bearing on your performance. It is simply an effort to ensure that you complete the station. If at any time during the station you are unclear about something, ask the examiner to clarify. There will be a station timer embedded in the virtual station. Some stations may finish early – if this occurs, you will be asked to remain in the virtual exam room until the time is up and you are moved to the next station and examiner encounter, or the signal is made to announce the end of the exam. You will have the opportunity to use the washroom up to 15 minutes before the start of the exam, during sequestration, if applicable, or after the exam ends. |
Examiner Professionalism |
The examiners have been instructed to interact with you in a professional manner − don’t be put off if they are not as warm and friendly towards you as usual. We recognize this is a stressful situation and the examiner is aware that you are nervous. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts before responding, simply indicate this to the examiner. |
Conflicts (with examiners) (what is a conflict? What to do in the event that you face a conflict?) |
The examiners come from across the country. You will likely recognize some of them and may have worked with some of them in a clinical capacity at your own centre. This is completely acceptable to the College and is not a conflict unless you or examiner perceives it as such (i.e., if the examiner had a substantial contribution to your training or evaluation, or if you have another professional or personal relationship with the examiner). Identify the conflict at moment of introduction, examiners have been instructed to do the same. Examiners will alert the Royal College staff – every attempt will be made to find a suitable replacement for the station. |
Confidentiality |
Electronic devices are NOT permitted. Communication with other candidates during the exam is prohibited. Do not discuss the exam with other candidates taking the exam or who will be taking the exam. |
Part 3 – Post Examination | |
Published results |
Results will be posted approximately 15 business days following the date of your examination. This time frame may vary due to factors related to unprecedented circumstances amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. |
Post-exam survey |
An email notice will be sent by the Royal College with a link to complete an online survey. We encourage you to be honest and provide us with feedback, as it helps us improve the process and is useful as we plan future exams. If specific questions and/or stations are of concern, please describe them on the survey. |
Part 1 - General Exam Information | |
---|---|
Examiners | You will encounter 4 different examiners during the course of this exam. |
Part 2 – Conduct of Exam | |
Station information |
This is a 4 station OSCE style oral exam. The stations are 30 minutes each with 5 minutes between stations. You may be provided with a scenario or instructions before your encounter with the examiner. Please read them carefully. The examiner will pose questions to you as you move through the cases. If at any point you would like to have a question repeated or discussion point expanded upon, do not hesitate to ask the examiner for clarification. The examiner will make every effort to respond to the request within the limits of the examination process. You may write notes on the provided scrap paper while you are in the rooms but you must leave all paper and any other materials provided to you in the room when you finish your examination. DO NOT take anything into the hotel hallways. If you are scheduled in an AM session, you will be sequestered until the next group of candidates has all registered. If at any point you have an issue in your station or trouble with computer, please notify your invigilator immediately. |
Time management |
The examiner is aware of how much material needs to be covered per station and is his/her responsibility to manage the time accordingly. The examiner will want to give you every opportunity to address all the questions within the station. He/she may indicate that, “in the interests of time you will need to move to the next question.” This type of comment has no bearing on your performance. It is simply an effort to ensure that you complete the station. If at any time during the station you are unclear about something, ask the examiner to clarify. There will be a station timer embedded in the virtual station. Some stations may finish early – if this occurs, you will be asked to remain in the virtual exam room until the time is up and you are moved to the next station and examiner encounter, or the signal is made to announce the end of the exam. You will have the opportunity to use the washroom up to 15 minutes before the start of the exam, during sequestration, if applicable, or after the exam ends. |
Examiner Professionalism |
The examiners have been instructed to interact with you in a professional manner − don’t be put off if they are not as warm and friendly towards you as usual. We recognize this is a stressful situation and the examiner is aware that you are nervous. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts before responding, simply indicate this to the examiner. |
Conflicts (with examiners) (what is a conflict? What to do in the event that you face a conflict?) |
The examiners come from across the country. You will likely recognize some of them and may have worked with some of them in a clinical capacity at your own centre. This is completely acceptable to the College and is not a conflict unless you or examiner perceives it as such (i.e. if the examiner had a substantial contribution to your training or evaluation, or if you have another professional or personal relationship with the examiner). Identify the conflict at moment of introduction, examiners have been instructed to do the same. Examiners will alert the Royal College staff – every attempt will be made to find a suitable replacement for the station. |
Confidentiality |
Electronic devices are NOT permitted. Communication with other candidates during the exam is prohibited. Do not discuss the exam with other candidates taking the exam or who will be taking the exam. |
Part 3 – Post Examination | |
Published results |
Results will be posted approximately 15 business days following the date of your examination. This time frame may vary due to factors related to unprecedented circumstances amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. |
Post-exam survey |
An email notice will be sent by the Royal College with a link to complete an online survey. We encourage you to be honest and provide us with feedback, as it helps us improve the process and is useful as we plan future exams. If specific questions and/or stations are of concern, please describe them on the survey. |
Part 1 - General Exam Information | |
---|---|
Examiners | You will encounter 6 different examiners during the course of this exam. |
Part 2 – Conduct of Exam | |
Station information |
This is a 6 station OSCE style oral exam. The stations are 20 minutes each with 3 minutes between stations. You may be provided with a scenario or instructions before your encounter with the examiner. Please read them carefully. The examiner will pose questions to you as you move through the cases. If at any point you would like to have a question repeated or discussion point expanded upon, do not hesitate to ask the examiner for clarification. The examiner will make every effort to respond to the request within the limits of the examination process. You may write notes on the provided scrap paper while you are in the rooms but you must leave all paper and any other materials provided to you in the room when you finish your examination. DO NOT take anything into the hotel hallways. If you are scheduled in an AM session, you will be sequestered until the next group of candidates has all registered. If at any point you have an issue in your station or trouble with computer, please notify your invigilator immediately. |
Time management |
The examiner is aware of how much material needs to be covered per station and is his/her responsibility to manage the time accordingly. The examiner will want to give you every opportunity to address all the questions within the station. He/she may indicate that, “in the interests of time you will need to move to the next question.” This type of comment has no bearing on your performance. It is simply an effort to ensure that you complete the station. If at any time during the station you are unclear about something, ask the examiner to clarify. There will be a station timer embedded in the virtual station. Some stations may finish early – if this occurs, you will be asked to remain in the virtual exam room until the time is up and you are moved to the next station and examiner encounter, or the signal is made to announce the end of the exam. You will have the opportunity to use the washroom up to 15 minutes before the start of the exam, during sequestration, if applicable, or after the exam ends. |
Examiner Professionalism |
The examiners have been instructed to interact with you in a professional manner- don’t be put off if they are not as warm and friendly towards you as usual. We recognize this is a stressful situation and the examiner is aware that you are nervous. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts before responding simply indicate this to the examiner. |
Conflicts (with examiners) (what is a conflict? What to do in the event that you face a conflict?) |
The examiners come from across the country. You will likely recognize some of them and may have worked with some of them in a clinical capacity at your own centre. This is completely acceptable to the College and is not a conflict unless you or examiner perceives it as such (i.e. if the examiner had a substantial contribution to your training or evaluation, or if you have another professional or personal relationship with the examiner). Identify the conflict at moment of introduction, examiners have been instructed to do the same. Examiners will alert the Royal College staff – every attempt will be made to find a suitable replacement for the station. |
Confidentiality |
Electronic devices are NOT permitted. Communication with other candidates during the exam is prohibited. Do not discuss the exam with other candidates taking the exam or who will be taking the exam. |
Part 3 – Post Examination | |
Published results |
Results will be posted approximately 15 business days following the date of your examination. This time frame may vary due to factors related to unprecedented circumstances amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. |
Post-exam survey |
An email notice will be sent by the Royal College with a link to complete an online survey. We encourage you to be honest and provide us with feedback, as it helps us improve the process and is useful as we plan future exams. If specific questions and/or stations are of concern, please describe them on the survey. |
Part 1 - General Exam Information | |
---|---|
Examiners | You will encounter 8 different examiners during the course of this exam. |
Part 2 – Conduct of Exam | |
Station information |
This is an 8 station OSCE style oral exam. The stations are 15 minutes each with 1-2 minutes between stations. You may be provided with a scenario or instructions before your encounter with the examiner. Please read them carefully. The examiner will pose questions to you as you move through the cases. If at any point you would like to have a question repeated or discussion point expanded upon, do not hesitate to ask the examiner for clarification. The examiner will make every effort to respond to the request within the limits of the examination process. You may write notes on the provided scrap paper while you are in the rooms but you must leave all paper and any other materials provided to you in the room when you finish your examination. DO NOT take anything into the hotel hallways. If you are scheduled in an AM session, you will be sequestered until the next group of candidates has all registered. If at any point you have an issue in your station or trouble with computer, please notify your invigilator immediately. |
Time management |
The examiner is aware of how much material needs to be covered per station and is his/her responsibility to manage the time accordingly. The examiner will want to give you every opportunity to address all the questions within the station. He/she may indicate that, “in the interests of time you will need to move to the next question.” This type of comment has no bearing on your performance. It is simply an effort to ensure that you complete the station. If at any time during the station you are unclear about something, ask the examiner to clarify. There will be a station timer embedded in the virtual station. Some stations may finish early – if this occurs, you will be asked to remain in the virtual exam room until the time is up and you are moved to the next station and examiner encounter, or the signal is made to announce the end of the exam. You will have the opportunity to use the washroom up to 15 minutes before the start of the exam, during sequestration, if applicable, or after the exam ends. |
Examiner Professionalism |
The examiners have been instructed to interact with you in a professional manner- don’t be put off if they are not as warm and friendly towards you as usual. We recognize this is a stressful situation and the examiner is aware that you are nervous. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts before responding simply indicate this to the examiner. |
Conflicts (with examiners) (what is a conflict? What to do in the event that you face a conflict?) |
The examiners come from across the country. You will likely recognize some of them and may have worked with some of them in a clinical capacity at your own centre. This is completely acceptable to the College and is not a conflict unless you or examiner perceives it as such (i.e. if the examiner had a substantial contribution to your training or evaluation, or if you have another professional or personal relationship with the examiner). Identify the conflict at moment of introduction, examiners have been instructed to do the same. Examiners will alert the Royal College staff – every attempt will be made to find a suitable replacement for the station. |
Confidentiality |
Electronic devices are NOT permitted. Communication with other candidates during the exam is prohibited. Do not discuss the exam with other candidates taking the exam or who will be taking the exam. |
Part 3 – Post Examination | |
Published results |
Results will be posted approximately 15 business days following the date of your examination. This time frame may vary due to factors related to unprecedented circumstances amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. |
Post-exam survey |
An email notice will be sent by the Royal College with a link to complete an online survey. We encourage you to be honest and provide us with feedback, as it helps us improve the process and is useful as we plan future exams. If specific questions and/or stations are of concern, please describe them on the survey. |
You will be directed to a holding screen. Do not use the keyboard or click on any links on the page in front of you. Once at the holding screen as shown below, do not click “Start Proctoring.” When the exam administrators are ready, they will start your exam. You will then automatically be launched into the applied exam system. Failure to wait, clicking on links or using the keyboard may cause a delay in starting your exam. Do not click the Logout button, unless otherwise instructed to do so.
The
system may ask to grant permission to enable the camera and microphone. Make sure to
accept to start them.
Verify that your microphone and camera are working properly, and that you can see and hear the
examiner clearly before proceeding with the assessment.
A resource can be scans, x-rays and test results, as the examiner can share information during the exam; it is dependent on the format of your exam.
Once you have completed all your stations, a prompt will appear asking you to submit your exam. Click SUBMIT.
Sequestering may be required following your applied exam in order to protect the integrity of the exam and ensure that the exam content is not communicated to others who have not yet taken the exam.
If you are in an afternoon exam session: Kindly respect the sign-in times on your appointment letter to ensure the sequestering period is as short as possible for all candidates.
If you are in a morning exam session: You will be sequestered in your assigned hotel room until candidates for the afternoon session are in their hotel room. Sequestering will last approximately 1.5-2 hours and you must remain in the same room in which you completed your exam. Electronic devices will not be accessible until the sequestering period is finished.
Please note: