Plan your journey
If you are not completely sure of the location of the centre, how to get there or how long it may take you, rehearse your route before the day of the exam.
Arrive early
You should arrive at the exam centre at least 45 minutes before the start of your exam. This is particularly important if you are sitting a session CBE, to allow time for checking into the exam.
Don't forget your docket
For session CBEs, on arrival at the exam centre you will be asked to present your exam docket in order to check in and be allocated a computer. For paper-based exams you should bring your docket and sit at the desk as detailed on your docket.
The docket will be collected by the supervisor during the exam to record your attendance. If you have any other exams during the session, the docket will be returned to you. If it is your last exam of the session, the docket will be retained for our records.
Remember to take your photo ID
Please take some form of official photographic ID, such as a valid passport, driving licence, national identity card or biometric residence permit. This will be checked during the exam together with your exam docket to confirm your identity. If we can't confirm your identity, unfortunately your exam may not be marked.
Your allocated desk
If you are sitting a paper-based exam: You must ensure that you are sitting at the correct desk number. Please note that if you are taking more than one paper, your desk number may vary from paper to paper and if you do not sit at the correct desk your candidate answer booklet(s) may be rendered invalid.
If you are sitting a computer-based exam: You will be assigned a designated desk during the check in process before each examination.
What can you take to your desk?
- Examination attendance docket
- Official means of photographic identification
- Rulers, pens, pencils and an eraser
- Geometrical instruments
- A noiseless, cordless pocket calculator which may be programmable but which must not have a printout or graphic/word display facility in any language
- A small bottle of water or soft drink, all labels removed. No other drinks or food are permitted
- Black ballpoint pen.
No unauthorised items or materials are permitted on or about your person or at your desk except a mobile phone (or communication device of any type), smartwatch or other wearable technology, which must be declared, switched off and placed in a clear plastic bag and stowed underneath your chair or stored as directed by the exam centre staff.
Paper-based exams: question paper and candidate answer booklet
- You must ensure that you have been given the correct question paper by comparing the front cover of your question paper with the paper designation code on this document.
- You must not open your question paper or start writing in your candidate answer booklet until you are instructed to do so by the supervisor.
- When instructed by the supervisor you must complete the following details on the front of your candidate answer booklet in black ballpoint pen:
- your registration number and name
- your desk number
- your centre/hall code number
- your exam paper number and version (where appropriate).
Computer-based exams:
- Before the examination start time, you will be presented with a holding screen which will display your name and the examination you are attempting. Please check the holding screen for your name and ensure the correct examination is displayed. In addition please also check the variant/standard (if applicable) is correct by comparing the examination displayed on the holding screen with the examination designation code on this document.
- You must not touch your keyboard/mouse until you are instructed to do so by the supervisor.
- You must not commence your examination until you are instructed to do so by the supervisor.