Short answer: In the last 24 hours, stop learning new topics. Do a short light review of your own error log and key cards, check your booking and identification, eat normally, protect sleep and plan a calm morning. A rested brain recalls better than a tired one, so sleep is part of the plan.
The one rule: nothing new
New topics at this point mostly create doubt. Your job is to keep what you know available and to arrive rested. Reviews of sleep research, such as Diekelmann and Born (2010), describe sleep as helping memory consolidation. That is a reason to protect your night, not a promise about your score.
The day before, morning
Do one short timed set of 20 to 30 mixed questions you have seen before, only to keep your pace warm. Read your error log. Do not start a full mock. A full mock the day before can cost you energy and confidence, and its score tells you little you can still use.
Afternoon: logistics
Open your Prometric booking confirmation and read it fully. Note the appointment time, the arrival time it asks for and the identification it requires. Check that the name on your identification matches the booking. Plan your route and travel time with a margin. Prepare your clothes and anything you are allowed to bring, and decide what you will leave at home, since test centres usually take phones and bags before you enter. See the phone checklist and the test centre day guide.
Evening: light review, then stop
Spend 30 to 45 minutes on flashcards you already know, or on one page of rules from your error log. Stop at a set time, even if you feel unready. Eat a normal meal and drink water through the day. Avoid trying something new, such as a heavy meal, a late caffeine drink or a new supplement.
If you feel anxious, write down what is worrying you and one action for each. Research by Ramirez and Beilock (2011) found that writing about test worries before a test helped students in classroom exams, which is a small, safe tool to try. If anxiety is severe, speak to a health professional.
The night
Go to bed at your normal time or a little earlier, and set two alarms. If you cannot sleep, rest anyway and avoid checking the phone. One poor night rarely ruins a result, and worrying about it makes it worse. Lie down, relax your shoulders and let your thoughts pass without chasing them. Rest is still useful even when sleep does not come quickly.
Exam morning
Eat something you know agrees with you. Leave early. Do a 10-minute glance at your top 20 cards or rules, then put the notes away. In the exam, follow your pacing plan: check the clock at the halfway point and flag rather than stall. The last-hour revision guide covers the final hour in detail.
A one-page checklist for the day before
Print it or copy it to your notes.
- Booking confirmation read, time and place noted.
- Identification ready and matching the booking name.
- Route and travel time planned with a margin.
- Light review of the error log and top cards done, then stopped.
- Clothes, water and permitted items ready.
- Phone alarm set twice, notes put away, lights out at a set time.
Mistakes to avoid
Cramming a new subject, taking a full mock, comparing notes with others who sound sure, and staying up to finish a topic all work against you. If a topic still feels weak, remind yourself that a few questions in a 150-question paper do not decide the result, and that your pacing plan matters more than one more fact.
If your nerves spike
Some nervousness is normal and does not mean you are unprepared. Try slow breathing: in for four seconds and out for six, for two minutes. Name what you can control, such as your route, your pacing and your first five minutes, and let the rest go. Avoid checking forums, because other people’s stories add worry and are not reliable evidence. Our guide on managing exam anxiety has more tools. This is general advice, not medical advice. If anxiety stops you sleeping for several nights or feels overwhelming, talk to your doctor.
Related guide
If you only want the evening, see what to do the night before the DHA exam.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general educational guidance, not official advice. Exam rules, fees and timelines are set by the Dubai Health Authority and the test provider and can change, so always confirm the latest details on their official channels.
Last updated .