QCAA English as an Additional Language exam-day guide
QCAA English as an Additional Language · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document required by your school or test centre (often a student ID or government-issued photo ID). Confirm the exact accepted form with the provider before exam day.
Admission or candidate slip
If your school issues an exam timetable, candidate number, or admission slip, bring it. Check whether it must be signed or placed on the desk.
Black or blue pens and spare pens
Pack at least two pens that write clearly, plus a spare. Check whether the provider permits pencils for any section and whether correction fluid or tape is allowed.
Highlighter and annotating tools
A highlighter can help mark key words in unseen texts. Confirm with the provider whether highlighters are permitted and whether they may be used on stimulus material.
Clear water bottle
Bring a plain, label-free water bottle if the venue allows drinks. Confirm the venue's rules on containers and labels.
Watch
A simple analogue or digital watch with no smart features can help you pace yourself. Confirm whether watches are permitted in the room and whether a clock is visible.
No prohibited devices
Leave phones, smart watches, earbuds, and other electronic devices at home or in the designated storage area. Confirm the provider's policy on devices and whether they must be switched off and stored outside the room.
Know your candidate number and centre details
Write your candidate number and exam venue on a card or memorise them. Confirm these details with your school before the exam.
Arrive early
Plan to arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before the scheduled start, allowing for traffic and check-in. Confirm the exact reporting time and venue with the provider.
Review the exam structure
Know the number of sections, the time allocation, and the text types or response formats required. Use the syllabus or your teacher's guidance; do not rely on unverified online summaries.
Personal needs and medical arrangements
If you have approved adjustments or a medical condition, confirm in advance how these will be managed on the day. Speak to your school's exam coordinator.
Rest and nutrition plan
Prepare a light snack and water for after the exam, and prioritise sleep the night before. Confirm whether food is allowed in the waiting area.
Plan the day
Review the exam format and timing, then practise one full section under timed conditions using an unseen text. Focus on your weakest skill (listening, reading, writing, or speaking) rather than re-reading everything. Check that you know the venue, reporting time, and required ID. Prepare your stationery and bag the night before the final day so the last 24 hours are calm.
Do a light review of text types, sentence structures, and useful linking phrases. Re-read your own notes on common errors rather than starting new material. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Avoid intensive study after early evening; aim for a full night's sleep. Pack your bag with ID, admission slip, pens, highlighter, water, and any approved items.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Arrive early, check in, and locate the room and seating. Use waiting time for calm breathing and a brief mental outline of the writing task structure, not for cramming new content. Switch off and store your phone as instructed before entering the room.
Read all instructions and allocate time before starting. For reading and listening, preview questions and mark key words. For writing, spend a few minutes planning, leave time to check grammar, spelling, and task completion, and write legibly. If a section is difficult, move on and return if time permits. For speaking, listen carefully to the prompt, ask for clarification only if permitted, and speak clearly at a steady pace.
Rules to check
Bring the identification required by your school or test centre and place it on the desk if instructed. Accepted forms vary, so confirm with the provider before exam day.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, are generally prohibited in the exam room. Confirm the provider's policy on storage and whether devices must be switched off and left outside.
Follow all instructions from supervisors and invigilators. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not open materials until told to begin.
If you need to leave the room for a break or personal reason, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Confirm the provider's rules on supervised breaks and whether extra time is granted.
Write only in the spaces or booklets provided and do not remove any exam materials from the room. Confirm the rules on extra paper and whether rough notes are permitted.
Scoring and marking are based on the syllabus criteria for English as an Additional Language. Ask your teacher to explain how each section is assessed rather than relying on rumour.
If you believe an error or disturbance has affected your exam, report it to a supervisor immediately and follow the provider's appeals or special consideration process. Confirm deadlines with your school.
Do not bring unauthorised notes, books, or annotated materials into the exam room. Confirm which reference materials, if any, are permitted for your specific paper.