QCAA English exam-day guide
QCAA English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID your school has told you is acceptable for external assessment. The exact accepted forms are set by QCAA and your school, so confirm with the provider which documents are valid rather than assuming a student card alone will suffice.
Admission or attendance slip if issued
Some schools distribute a personalised timetable or attendance slip. Ask your coordinator whether you need to bring one; confirm with the provider if you are unsure.
Approved equipment only
Bring pens, pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener in a clear container if your school requires transparency. For English, black or blue pens for extended writing are typical. Check the QCAA approved equipment list for your subject with your teacher.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Many venues permit a clear unlabelled bottle. Rules vary by school, so confirm with the provider before relying on this.
No phone or smart device in the room
Mobile phones and smart watches are generally not permitted in the assessment room. Leave them at home or follow your school's storage instructions; confirm the specific rule with the provider.
Know your session time and room
Confirm the date, start time, venue, and reporting time for each English paper. Arrive earlier than the stated reporting time to allow for seating and instructions.
Read the syllabus and past-style practice tasks
Revise the assessed objectives and the genres, text types, and skills your course has covered. Practise under timed conditions using tasks your teacher supplies.
Prepare a planning routine, not pre-written responses
Practise a quick planning method (deconstruct the task, identify the audience and purpose, outline, then draft). Do not memorise full essays to reproduce; external assessment tasks are unseen and pre-prepared responses may breach rules.
Check any permitted text or stimulus arrangements
If your school has indicated that stimulus material or an unseen text will be provided, confirm the format with your teacher. Do not bring unauthorised notes or annotations.
Plan for access arrangements
If you have approved adjustments (for example extra time or a separate room), confirm the logistics with your school well before the day. Do not assume an arrangement carries over without confirmation.
Sleep, food, and transport plan
Arrange transport, a substantial breakfast, and adequate sleep. Being rested matters more than a final late-night cram.
Backup plan for equipment failure
Bring spare pens and a spare approved calculator only if your subject permits one. For English, spare writing implements are the priority.
Plan the day
Confirm your timetable, venue, and reporting time with your school. Check the approved equipment list and set aside only permitted items. Do one full timed practice task, then review your planning and editing process rather than learning new content.
Review your course summary: assessed objectives, text types, and the conventions of analytical and persuasive writing your course has emphasised. Reread feedback from your teacher on earlier practice tasks and note two or three specific improvements to apply.
Do a light review only: key terms, structural templates, and sentence-level editing reminders. Pack your bag with ID, pens, and permitted items. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Avoid intensive new study; prioritise sleep.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive early. Leave phones and smart devices according to your school's instructions. Skim your planning routine, not full notes. Use the reading time, if provided, to deconstruct the task and plan.
Read all instructions and the task carefully. Allocate time for planning, drafting, and proofreading; stick to your time budget. Answer the question asked, with a clear audience and purpose in mind. Leave time to check spelling, punctuation, and sentence clarity. If you finish early, review rather than leave.
Follow your school's instructions on leaving the room and returning materials. Do not discuss the paper with others until permitted, and do not attempt to record or share the task.
Rules to check
Bring only approved equipment into the assessment room. Confirm the approved list for your subject with your teacher or the provider before the day.
Carry acceptable photo identification if your school requires it. The accepted forms are set by QCAA and your school; confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Mobile phones, smart watches, and other unauthorised electronic devices must not be in your possession in the assessment room. Follow your school's storage instructions exactly.
Follow all supervisor instructions, including seating, reading time, and starting and stopping writing. Do not write outside the permitted times.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the assessment, and do not attempt to copy, share, or record the task. Malpractice can affect your result.
If you need to leave the room for illness or an emergency, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Do not leave without permission.
If you have approved access arrangements, use them as confirmed with your school. Do not assume an adjustment applies without written confirmation; confirm with the provider.
If something goes wrong (lost equipment, illness, or a disruption), tell a supervisor immediately and inform your school afterwards. Confirm the provider's process for reporting issues.