The tests can be done separately - but usually together if both are needed... the Nerve Conduction Study is the shocks - and they test areas they feel need too (I've found the amount of pain, if any, varies on doc techniques and just how dead the nerves are that are being tested - no pain on the dead ones).... and EMG portion is needles that are put in strategic places (doc stuff) again anywhere on the body the doc feels necessary and can hurt - but degree also seems to depend on doc technique.... (if it helps, they usually save the most painful location for last stab! so the patient doesnt bolt!)