What to expect on exam day | British Council

This section gives you some tips and advice on what to do during the written and speaking exams day.

What to do during the written exams

Take with you a pen, pencil, eraser, your passport/ID and your timetable
Be at the exam venue at least 30 minutes before the start time
Look at the exam signs and locate your designated exam room. The supervisor will inform you when it is time to enter
Keep your timetable handy. Know your candidate number. You will be placed in a specific exam room and desk based on your candidate number.

Switch off your mobile phone, including any alarms/reminders
Switch off any other electronic devices, including alarms on your watch
Place mobile phones and other unauthorised items (books, bags, etc) in the area that your invigilator will specify
You may keep a bottle of water, but place it on the floor next to your desk, so as to avoid any accidents
After you are seated, the invigilator will ask to see your passport / ID and your timetable, in order to confirm that you are the indeed the correct candidate
The invigilator will distribute the question papers (and in some cases a separate answer sheet and / or rough paper)
If the name printed on your question papers is not correct, please inform the invigilator immediately
The invigilator will give specific instructions for each paper. Please pay attention and ask the invigilator if you have any questions about the procedure.

Read the instructions on the front of the question paper (and the separate answer sheet if relevant)
Do not open the question papers until the invigilator tells you to do so
The invigilator will inform you about the duration of each paper. Make sure that you complete all tasks in the allocated time as you will not be allowed any extra time to transfer your answers
The invigilator will inform you if you need to use a pencil or a pen in order to complete your answers in each paper
Writing: please write within the grey lines in the spaces provided on the question paper. Use the blank pages to complete your rough work
Listening: The test is divided into sections, and the recording on the CD is complete in itself, with all necessary pauses and instructions to candidates. Each part will be heard twice. You will be given time to transfer your answers and the CD will inform you when the test is finished
You must not talk, copy, keep or use unauthorised items (such as mobile phones) because you risk being disqualified
If you wish to go to the toilet, an invigilator must accompany you for security reasons
Please raise your hand. No extra time will be given for a toilet break
The invigilator will remind you when you reach the last 10 and 5 minutes before the end of the written papers.

At the end of the test you will be asked to put down your pens or pencils
The invigilator will collect all question papers, answer sheets and rough work before you are permitted to leave the exam room. You must remain seated while this happens.

Before leaving the room, make sure that you take with you all your personal belongings
Make sure that you keep a copy of your timetable. You will be able to access your results with the codes available on your timetable.

If something happens during the exam that may have affected your performance (e.g. if you were ill during the test or if a loud noise affected your Listening test) you must inform the centre Supervisor / Invigilator immediately.

Take your passport/ID and your timetable with you
Be at the exam venue at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time
Look at the exam signs and locate the speaking exams area
The coordinator will check your photo IDs against the attendance register. Once this is checked, you must remain in the designated speaking exams area until your test
While you are waiting to be examined, please keep quiet so as to avoid disrupting the exams of other candidates
If there is an error in the spelling of your name, please inform the co-ordinator and he will make a note of the correction
Switch of your mobile phone (and other electronic devices). Place your belongings in the area designated by your co-ordinator
The speaking tests are in pair format. The invigilator will specify which of the other candidates will be paired with you, in accordance with the timetable
In case of absences, the pairs will be re-arranged in order to avoid delays
You will be given a personalised mark sheet; do not fold, crease or write on it. You must hand it to the examiner when you enter the room
Where there is an uneven number, the last candidates taking the test will form a group of three. The exams cannot be conducted with a single candidate.

Test day photos are mandatory for CAE, CPE and BEC exams. Photos may be taken on the day of the written tests or Speaking test.

All candidates, or a parent/guardian, must sign the relevant consent form (see downloads section below).