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
Before the exams start
- 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.
- You MUST NOT have any electronic devices, such as mobile phones, digital sound recorders, mp3 players, cameras etc. in the exam room during the exam.
During the exams
on entering the room
- If you have any electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, digital sound recorder, mp3 player, camera etc., they must be placed in the designated area outside the exam room before the first written paper, and only accessed after the last written paper has finished.
- Other unauthorised items (books, bags, etc.) must be placed 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 indeed the correct candidate. After this, you will be asked to place your timetable on the floor.
- 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.
When the exam starts
- Read the instructions on the front of the question paper (and the separate answer sheet if relevant).
- Do not to 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. If you need extra paper for your rough work, ask your invigilator or supervisor and it will be provided. Please note that this applies only to the Writing component of B2 First (FCE) for Schools, C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE), B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage), C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher) and TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test). For all other exams, you can use your question paper for your rough work. Make sure that you complete your actual writing tasks in the allocated time in the appropriate answer book.
- 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 ten and five minutes before the end of the written papers.
on completion of the exam
- At the end of the test you will be asked to put down your pen/pencil.
- 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.
After the exams
- Before leaving the room, make sure that you take all your personal belongings with you.
- 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.
Reporting of Incidents
- 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.
What to do during the speaking exams
- 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 co-ordinator will check your photo ID against the attendance register. Once this is checked, you must remain in the designated speaking exams area until your test.
- You MUST NOT have any electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, digital sound recorder, mp3 player, camera etc. in the exams area.
- If you have any electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, digital sound recorder, mp3 player, camera etc, they must be placed in the designated area outside the exam room before the beginning of your speaking test, and only accessed after the end of the 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, who will make a note of the correction.
- 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
Test day photos are mandatory for the C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE) and Business (BEC): B1 Preliminary, B2 Vantage, C1 Higher 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 below).
Source : https://www.britishcouncil.gr/