Bar Council Written exam-day guide
Bar Council Written · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or confirmation email
Print or download the admission document issued by your provider. If you have not received one, or if its exact format and whether a printed copy is required, confirm with the provider before the exam.
Acceptable photo identification
Bring the original ID type your provider specifies, valid and unexpired. Do not rely on a photocopy or a digital image. Which documents count as acceptable ID varies by jurisdiction and sitting, so confirm with the provider.
Permitted stationery
Pack pens you have already tested, pencils, an eraser and a sharpener. Check whether your sitting is handwritten or typed and which items are allowed; confirm the permitted list with the provider.
Clear, unmarked water bottle
A clear bottle with the label removed is a common rule, but the exact requirement varies. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed and in what form.
Exam venue details and route plan
Write down the venue address, the room or hall name, the entry door and the public transport route. Do a dry run or check the route in advance so that morning delays do not become an emergency.
Arrival time and reporting instructions
Note the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time. The exact cut-off after which entry is refused is set by the provider, so confirm it with them.
Permitted reference materials, if any
Some sittings are open-book and some are closed-book. Do not assume. Confirm with the provider exactly which statutes, annotations or notes, if any, may be taken into the room and in what form.
Leave prohibited items at home or in storage
Phones, smart watches, notes and bags are commonly banned from the exam room. Where to leave them, and whether the venue offers secure storage, is venue-specific; confirm with the provider.
Check any accessibility or special arrangements
If you have an approved adjustment such as extra time, a separate room or a permitted aid, bring the confirmation and arrive early. Confirm the logistics with the provider in advance.
Read the candidate instructions and conduct rules
Read the provider's exam-day rules end to end at least once before the day. Pay attention to rules on leaving the room, talking and using materials during breaks.
Plan food, medication and rest
Bring any medication you may need and a light snack for before or after the sitting, subject to venue rules. Confirm whether food is allowed in the exam room.
Backup plan for travel and contact details
Save the venue's contact number and a local taxi number, and allow a travel buffer for delays. If you are running late, contact the venue as soon as possible and follow their instructions.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summaries, checklists and past mistakes, and practise timed answers under exam conditions. Confirm the venue, reporting time and permitted items with the provider, and resolve any open question about ID, materials or adjustments now rather than on the day. Prepare your bag and lay out your documents.
Do a light review only, then stop. Check your travel route and the weather, set two alarms, and eat and sleep at normal times. Re-read the conduct rules and the instructions on the admission document. Pack your ID, admission document, stationery and water, and leave prohibited items out of your bag.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the venue with a generous buffer, and use the time before entry to settle rather than to cram. Present your ID and admission document when asked, follow staff directions, and locate the toilets and the room. Once seated, check that your desk materials are complete before the start.
Read the instructions and check the paper for missing pages before you begin. Allocate time by question weight, and keep a margin at the end for review. Answer the easier questions first if that suits you, but make sure every required question is attempted. If you need to leave the room, follow the invigilator's procedure. If something goes wrong, such as a faulty desk or a disturbance, raise it with the invigilator immediately rather than after the exam.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID and admission document specified by the provider. If you do not have them, you may be refused entry. The exact ID requirements and the consequences of a missing document are set by the provider, so confirm them in advance.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. They control entry, seating, timing and leaving the room, and their directions take priority during the sitting.
Do not bring prohibited items into the exam room. Phones and smart devices are commonly banned; switch them off and store them as directed. Confirm the venue's storage arrangements with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the sitting, and do not read or copy another candidate's work. Suspected misconduct is usually reported and can lead to disciplinary action; the exact procedure is set by the provider.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually supervised and may not extend your time. Confirm the provider's policy on leaving the room during the exam.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and are not something you can negotiate on the day. Check the published marking scheme in advance so that you know how much each part is worth.
If you believe there was a problem with the conduct of the exam, such as noise, a faulty desk or a timing error, tell the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's procedure for recording it. Confirm that procedure with the provider.