WACE Psychology exam-day guide
WACE Psychology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document your school or the exam authority has told you to use. If you are unsure which forms of ID are accepted, or whether your school issues a candidate card, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam admission or candidate statement
Some schools issue a printed admission notice or candidate number slip. Carry it if you have been given one; if you have not received anything, confirm with the provider whether you need to bring anything beyond your ID.
Approved calculator
WACE Psychology papers involve data interpretation and simple calculations, so a calculator is normally useful. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted and whether graphing or programmable models are excluded.
Spare pens, pencils, eraser and sharpener
Pack at least two dark blue or black pens plus pencils for any diagrams or shading. Check the provider's rule on permitted stationery, since some venues restrict pencil cases or transparent containers.
Ruler and highlighter
A ruler helps with tables and graphs; a highlighter is useful for marking command words and data in stimulus material. Confirm with the provider whether highlighters are allowed on your answer booklet.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Stay hydrated without risking a rules breach. Many venues require a transparent bottle with the label removed; confirm with the provider what is permitted in your exam room.
Watch (non-smart, non-beeping)
Wall clocks may be hard to see. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity or alarms is usually acceptable, but confirm with the provider whether watches are allowed at your desk.
Know your command words
Revise the meaning of terms such as describe, explain, compare, evaluate and justify, and practise matching the number of marks to the depth of answer required. This is the highest-value revision task in the final days.
Prepare for stimulus and data questions
Practise reading tables, graphs and short research summaries quickly, identifying the independent and dependent variables, and linking findings to psychological concepts. Confirm with the provider the exact format and section structure of your paper.
Plan your travel and arrival time
Check the venue, start time and expected arrival window, and build in spare time for transport delays. If you are unsure when doors open or close, confirm with the provider in advance.
Sleep, food and medication plan
Protect sleep in the week before the exam and plan a normal breakfast. If you need to bring medication, food or an approved adjustment, confirm with the provider how this is handled on the day.
Backup plan for equipment failure
Carry spare batteries if your calculator uses them, or a second approved calculator if permitted. Confirm with the provider what happens if equipment fails during the exam.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to active recall and exam technique. Work through the syllabus topics using short retrieval practice rather than re-reading notes, and write full answers to past-style questions under timed conditions. Mark your own answers against the command words and mark allocations, then list your two or three weakest areas and target them with focused practice. Confirm the venue, start time, permitted equipment and any approved adjustments with your teacher or the provider. Reduce late-night study in favour of a consistent sleep schedule.
Build a one-page summary sheet of key studies, theories and evaluation points you tend to forget, and rehearse it from memory. Practise interpreting stimulus material: read the question first, then the data, then identify what is being asked. Check your calculator works and that you know how to use any statistics functions you may need. Pack your bag early so the last evening is calm.
Do a light review only: skim your summary sheet, re-read the command words, and look over mistakes from your last timed practice. Do not attempt a full new topic. Prepare clothes, ID, stationery, water and calculator, and place them by the door. Check transport arrangements and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual time. If anything about the exam format or rules is unclear, contact the provider now rather than on the morning.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate, and avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Glance at your summary sheet for a few minutes only. Arrive at the venue with time to spare, having checked the start time and door arrangements with the provider beforehand. Switch your phone off and store it as instructed. Use the reading time, if any, to scan the whole paper and plan which questions to answer first.
Read the instructions and check the number of sections and marks. Allocate time in proportion to marks and keep an eye on the clock. Start with questions you can answer confidently to build momentum, then return to harder ones. For each question, underline the command word, note the mark allocation, and write one distinct point per mark where appropriate. In stimulus-based questions, quote or refer to the data explicitly. For extended responses, plan briefly, use psychological terminology accurately, and include evaluation or application rather than description alone. Leave time to check that you have answered every required question and filled in your details correctly.
Stop writing immediately when instructed and follow the supervisor's directions for collecting papers. Do not discuss the paper in detail with others if you have further exams, as it can affect confidence. Note any questions you found difficult while they are fresh, so you can review those topics later. Confirm with the provider if you believe there was an error in the paper or a problem during the exam.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from exam supervisors. If a supervisor's instruction conflicts with what you expected, ask for clarification rather than deciding for yourself, and confirm any uncertain rule with the provider before exam day.
Bring the identification your school or exam authority requires and place it on your desk if instructed. If you are unsure what counts as acceptable ID or what to do if you forget it, confirm with the provider in advance.
Keep only permitted equipment on your desk. Phones, smart watches and other devices must be switched off and stored as directed; unauthorised materials can lead to serious consequences, so confirm with the provider what is allowed.
Do not communicate with other candidates once you enter the exam room, and do not attempt to read another candidate's work. Raise your hand if you need a supervisor.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Whether toilet breaks are permitted and whether you are supervised or given extra time is venue-specific, so confirm with the provider.
If you feel unwell or cannot continue, tell a supervisor immediately. Special consideration or illness arrangements depend on the provider's rules and deadlines, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Answer in the format the paper requires, and write clearly in the specified language and ink. Marks can be lost for answers that cannot be read or that exceed stated limits, so check the instructions on the paper.
Marks are awarded against the command words and mark allocation. Show working for calculations, refer explicitly to stimulus data, and include evaluation where asked. If you are unsure how a section is marked, confirm with the provider or your teacher beforehand.