DNB Practical examination is held twice a year. general outline of the exam
total marks-300 
no of days-2 
Practical Exam has two main parts: 1. Case presentation 2. OSCEs

case discussion-[/b]2cases, each 75 marks 
There are 2 long cases with 30 min to take a case and 30 min of viva for each. There are 2 examiners for each case.
can ask for an interpreter Case evaluation is usually divided in
History:
Examination:
Approach:
Management:
never manipulate (neither in history or clinical findings) 
do not assume 
present Ur findings honestly 
marks r evenly distributed (25 + 25+ 25 history, examination, discussion) even if history/ examination is bad u can make it in discussion.

OSCE scope to score more & pass 
OSCEs:
OSCEs are the same in all the centers and are held on the same day at the same time for the whole batch throughout India.
There are Approx. 30 OSCEs including rest stations each for 5 minutes. There is a paper and drop box at each table. After the bell rings, before you leave your OSCE table, you have to drop your answer sheet into the drop box. Attempt all the OSCEs, as very few OSCEs ( NRP) has negative marking.

There r also observed stations where u r asked to elicit/ take history/ demonstrate signs/ resuscitate.
though its lengthy try to answer all the questions 
observed stations- can show Ur stuff, good to score 
usually based on 
1. neonatal resuscitation 
2. history taking 
3. counseling 
4. procedure 
rest stations -3-4 in between 
other stations 
usually based on 
1. vaccine/ drug 
2. program-me 
3. statistics 
4. radiology ( X Ray/ EEG/ CT/ MRI) 
5. ECG 
6. clinical scenario 
7. clinical photograph 
in my view it is the osce that is life saving. scope to pass more if osce goes well.

It 
things to take to exam center: 
1. hall ticket 
2. log book & thesis (they don't ask, but just in case) 
3. exam kit 
4. biscuits/ bread/chocolates for u to eat 
5. water to drink. 
6. last minute revision some books.

things to do at exam center: 
1: reach at least 1/2 hr before the reporting time 
2. familiarize Ur self 
3. speak with other people, make contacts 
4. go to bathroom before the exam starts 
5. don't forget to have break fast 
6. cool & composed mind. 
7. all the luck in this world.

things not to do before the exam: 
1. if u feel intimidated by others (there r some people who speak loud as if they r the only ones who know & saying they r going to pass), maintain distance. remember exam is relative comparison. do not let others dominate u. nobody can make u feel inferior unless u allow them. 
2. don't join discussions if u r not aware of the topic, or if something is new 
3. don't argue, or try reasoning with idiotic colleagues, its just waste of time and energy. 
4. do not offer money, or bribes either to staff/ patients. 
5. do not get depressed if somebody says they have used influence, they know the examiner & so on. In DNB nothing works  
6. do not forget to write your hall ticket number. 
7. do not compare Ur self with others. every body has equal chance to pass, and nobody has worked harder than u. 
8. do not panic/faint/cry in the exam. do not leave the exam incompletely.(there r people who don't turn out on day-2). give it ur best shot.

and remember its just an exam. passing/failing is immaterial. go to the center as if its Ur lucky day, irrespective of what happens that day u have to face it. be bold & be prepared for the worst. exam is just a matter of luck. And u r the luckiest of all. nothing matters in front of Ur hard work. And remember u deserve to pass.

Dr Sandya polloputtu