NSW Bar Exam exam-day guide
NSW Bar Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID you used in your application. The exact ID requirements and acceptable document types are set by the admitting authority and the test provider, so confirm with the provider which originals are accepted and whether a digital copy is ever permitted.
Admission ticket or confirmation email
Print or download any confirmation, notice, or candidate number issued to you. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or whether an electronic version on a phone is acceptable.
Exam venue and reporting details
Write down the venue address, room, reporting time, and entry point the day before. Check the provider's instructions for which entrance candidates use and how early doors open.
Permitted writing materials
Pack pens and pencils in the types and quantities the provider allows. Do not assume highlighters, correction fluid, or erasers are permitted; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
Any permitted reference materials
If the exam is open book or permits specified legislation or texts, bring only the editions and formats allowed. Confirm with the provider which materials are authorised and whether tabs or annotations are permitted.
Clear bag or container for belongings
Many venues require belongings to be stored in a clear bag or a designated area. Confirm the provider's bag rules, including whether bags are allowed in the exam room at all.
Watch or timekeeping device
Bring a simple watch if the provider permits one, since clocks may not be visible from every seat. Confirm with the provider whether watches, and which types, are allowed, as smart devices are commonly prohibited.
Water and a light snack
Bring water in a container that meets venue rules and a snack for any scheduled break. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at the desk or only outside the room.
Travel and backup plan
Plan your route, allow a buffer for delays, and identify a backup transport option. Check for planned transport disruptions or road closures near the venue on the day.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number and the venue details on your phone in case of delay, illness, or a lost document. Report problems as early as possible rather than on arrival.
Accommodations confirmation
If you have approved adjustments, bring the written confirmation and know who to speak to on arrival. Confirm with the provider how and when adjustments are arranged and what evidence you must carry.
Leave prohibited devices behind or plan storage
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices are commonly restricted in exam rooms. Confirm the provider's device rules and arrange storage or leaving devices at home accordingly.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate information and confirm the venue, reporting time, ID requirements, and permitted items. Resolve any open questions with the provider by phone or email while offices are open. Organise your notes and study materials into a format you can revise quickly, and do a final pass over high-value topics rather than starting new material. Check your travel route and any planned disruptions, and prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, pens, and permitted materials.
Do a light revision of summaries and key frameworks, then stop early enough to protect your sleep. Lay out clothes, ID, confirmation, writing materials, water, and snacks by the door. Confirm the alarm and a backup alarm, and check the weather and transport status. Avoid intensive cramming late at night, as fatigue is a bigger risk than one missed topic.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue with a generous buffer, and locate the correct entrance and room. Keep your ID and confirmation accessible for check-in. Follow staff directions on where to store belongings and where to wait. Use the time before entry for calm review of summaries only, not for new material.
Read the instructions and any reading time rules carefully, note the total time and number of questions, and allocate time per question before starting. Answer the questions you know first if the format allows, and flag difficult ones to return to. Keep an eye on the clock at set checkpoints, leave time to transfer or check answers, and follow the provider's rules on breaks, leaving the room, and asking invigilators for help.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID specified by the provider and present it at check-in. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if ID is missing or expired.
Arrive by the reporting time stated in your candidate information. Late arrival rules vary, so confirm with the provider whether late candidates are admitted and under what conditions.
Follow all instructions from invigilators about permitted items, desk layout, and prohibited devices. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask before the exam starts rather than risk a misconduct issue.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not take any exam material out of the room unless the provider expressly permits it.
If you need to leave the room, use the procedure the provider specifies, such as raising your hand and being escorted. Confirm the provider's rules on toilet breaks and whether they are supervised.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, venue, or your circumstances, raise it with an invigilator immediately and follow up in writing with the provider afterwards.
Scoring, marking, and results-release arrangements are set by the admitting authority and provider. Do not rely on assumptions about pass marks, scaling, or result timing; confirm these with the provider.