BCS Written Philosophy exam-day guide
BCS Written Philosophy · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission confirmation and venue details
Re-read the confirmation email or letter for the exact venue address, arrival time, and any candidate number. If you cannot locate it, contact the provider immediately; do not assume the venue from a past sitting.
Photo identification
Bring the specific form of ID the provider requires. Requirements vary, so confirm acceptable documents and validity dates with the provider rather than relying on memory.
Candidate number or registration reference
Write it on a card in your wallet as well as storing it on your phone, since phones may need to be switched off during the test.
Two working pens plus a spare
Written philosophy papers are handwritten. Test your pens beforehand and bring a spare of the same type so the ink and feel stay consistent.
Wristwatch
A simple analogue or digital watch lets you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches are prohibited.
Clear water bottle and light snack
Hydration and a small snack for before or after the paper help concentration. Check the venue's rules on bringing food and drink into the hall.
Printed summary sheet of key positions and thinkers
A single page of names, arguments, and counterarguments for last-minute review. Leave it outside the hall unless the provider permits notes.
Plan for travel and a buffer
Arrive with spare time to absorb delays. Identify the room and facilities on arrival rather than minutes before the start.
Rest and sleep plan for the night before
Avoid late-night cramming; consolidated sleep supports recall of arguments and quotations far better than an extra hour of reading.
Confirm permitted materials and electronic device policy
Ask the provider in advance whether phones, bags, or notes are allowed in the hall and where they must be stored.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number so you can report a delay or illness promptly if something goes wrong on the day.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Re-read your own summaries of major positions and the standard objections to them. Practise writing at least one full essay under timed conditions, then review where your structure weakened. Draft brief plans for likely question areas rather than memorising model answers. Keep evenings calm and protect sleep.
Light review only: skim your one-page sheet of thinkers, distinctions, and counterarguments. Check travel arrangements, pack your bag with ID, pens, and confirmation, and lay out clothes. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a sensible hour. Avoid comparing preparation with other candidates, which rarely helps and often unsettles.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Once seated, read the whole paper before writing, note the time allocation for each question, and jot a short plan for every answer you intend to give. Keep your summary sheet out of the hall unless permitted.
Answer the question actually asked, stating your thesis early and signposting each step of the argument. Define key terms, attribute views accurately, and include objections with replies rather than asserting conclusions. Watch the clock at the halfway point and reserve the final minutes for checking that every required question is attempted and your handwriting is legible.
Rules to check
Bring the identification the provider requires and present it on request; confirm acceptable documents in advance, as an incorrect ID may bar you from sitting the paper.
Follow all instructions from invigilators about seating, start and finish times, and the handling of papers; their directions override your own assumptions.
Keep phones and other electronic devices switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm the provider's policy on watches and devices before the day.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has been distributed, and do not take question papers or answer materials out of the hall unless told they may be removed.
Attempt the required number of questions and note the marks available for each; confirm the paper's structure and any compulsory sections with the provider beforehand.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; time lost is generally not added back, so plan breaks carefully.
If illness or another emergency affects your performance, tell an invigilator immediately and ask the provider about its special consideration procedure rather than waiting until afterwards.
Confirm the provider's rules on late arrival, extra time, and permitted reference materials directly with them, since these vary between sittings.