BCS Written History exam-day guide
BCS Written History · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the same government-issued photo ID you used for registration (passport or driver's licence are typical). Check that it has not expired. The exact accepted ID types and name-matching requirements vary by test centre, so confirm with the provider before travelling.
Admission or confirmation document
Print or download the confirmation email or admission ticket showing your candidate number, test centre, and start time. Some centres require a printed copy while others accept a digital version, so confirm with the provider which is accepted at your site.
Candidate number and centre details written down
Note your candidate number, the venue address, the room or hall name, and a contact phone number on paper as a backup in case your phone fails. Verify the venue location on a map the day before, since large exam halls are sometimes entered through a specific door.
Two or more black or blue pens plus a pencil and eraser
Written papers are usually completed in ink, and spare pens protect against a failing nib. Pencil and eraser are useful if the paper uses multiple-choice answer sheets or if you want to sketch a plan before writing. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for any section.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be carried in a clear container and may ask you to leave branded or opaque cases outside the hall. Keep only permitted items inside it.
Analogue watch
A simple non-smart watch lets you pace yourself if the hall clock is hard to see. Smart watches and any device with communication or storage capability are almost always prohibited, so leave them at home or in your bag.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Hydration helps concentration over a long written paper. Many centres require bottles to be transparent with labels removed and placed on the floor rather than the desk; confirm with the provider.
Leave prohibited items behind or in your bag
Phones, smart watches, earphones, notes, and study materials are normally banned from the desk area. Even a switched-off phone in a pocket can be treated as misconduct, so plan where you will store it.
Plan and rehearse the journey
Work out the route, the transport timetable, and a fallback option, and aim to arrive well before the reporting time. Traffic, strikes, and parking difficulties are the most common causes of late arrival, and late entrants may be refused.
Check the paper format and timing one final time
Re-read the official instructions for the number of questions, whether there is a choice of questions, the recommended time per section, and the total marks. Do not rely on second-hand summaries from forums.
Prepare for handwriting stamina
A long handwritten paper is physically tiring. Practise full-length timed answers in the final weeks, and on the day wear comfortable clothing and use a pen that suits your grip.
Confirm accessibility or special arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, verify in advance that they have been approved and that the centre knows about them. Bring any approval letter you have been given. Marked needs_review: specific deadlines and evidence requirements vary, so confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material and consolidate. Review your own summary notes, essay plans, and past-paper mistakes for the topics most likely to appear. Do two or three timed practice answers under exam conditions to rehearse pacing and handwriting. Confirm the venue, reporting time, and travel plan, and check that your ID is valid and your name matches your registration. Pack your bag early and read the official candidate instructions once more.
Do light revision only: skim topic headings, key dates, names, and argument structures rather than rereading whole textbooks. Prepare clothes, ID, stationery, water, and travel money, and charge nothing you cannot bring into the hall. Eat a normal meal, avoid late-night cramming, and set two alarms. Check transport updates for the morning and decide your departure time with a buffer of at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Eat a proper breakfast and limit caffeine if you are prone to anxiety. Leave earlier than you think necessary and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Before entering, visit the toilet, silence and stow your phone, and confirm the reporting desk. Once seated, check that your question paper is complete, note the start and finish times, and read the instructions and all questions before writing.
Allocate time per question before you begin and keep to it; do not let one answer consume the whole paper. Read each question carefully and underline the command words such as discuss, compare, or evaluate, then plan briefly before writing. Answer the required number of questions and note the marks available so you spend effort proportionally. Write legibly, number your answers clearly, and leave space if you want to add points later. Keep a few minutes at the end to check that every answer is numbered, attached, and that you have not omitted a required question.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification and your admission or confirmation document, and present them when asked. If your ID is missing, expired, or shows a different name from your registration, you may be refused entry, so resolve any discrepancy with the provider before exam day.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earphones, notes, or any unauthorised material into the seating area. Follow the centre's instructions on where to leave bags and devices; possession of a prohibited item at the desk is commonly treated as misconduct regardless of whether it was used.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Candidates arriving after the paper has started may be admitted only at the invigilator's discretion or may be refused, and extra time is not normally given. Confirm the late-entry policy with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions and remain silent from the moment you enter the hall until you leave. Do not communicate with other candidates, pass materials, or look at another candidate's work.
Raise your hand if you need to leave the room for the toilet, need more paper, or feel unwell. You may be escorted and may not be allowed extra time; rules on leaving and re-entering the hall vary, so confirm with the provider.
Stop writing immediately when instructed and hand in all materials, including question papers and answer booklets, unless told otherwise. Removing exam materials from the hall is normally prohibited.
Keep your answers your own. Copying, collusion, impersonation, and attempting to obtain advance access to the paper are serious offences that can lead to cancellation of results and further sanctions.
Understand how the paper is scored before you start: note the number of questions required, the marks per question, and whether there is a choice. Marks are typically awarded for relevant, well-supported argument and accurate factual content, so answer the question asked rather than writing everything you know about the topic.