DU Fine Arts Unit exam-day guide
DU Fine Arts Unit · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admit card / hall ticket
Print at least two copies and keep one in your bag and one with a family member. Check the reporting time and venue address against the official notice the day before. If the admit card has not arrived or has an error, contact the provider immediately rather than waiting until the morning of the exam.
Photo ID as specified by the provider
Bring the original ID type named in the information bulletin, plus one photocopy. Do not rely on a digital copy on your phone. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted, since rules differ between institutions.
Passport-size photographs
Carry several copies matching the specification used on your application form. Some centres ask for a photo for the attendance sheet. Confirm the exact number and size with the provider.
Drawing and painting materials
Bring the media the syllabus names: graphite pencils in a range of grades, eraser, sharpener, blending stumps, brushes, palette, water container, rags, and any colours permitted. Pack them the night before in a transparent pouch so nothing is questioned at the gate.
Drawing board and clips
A rigid board sized to your paper, with clips or tape to hold the sheet steady. Confirm with the provider whether boards are supplied at the centre or must be brought, as practice varies.
Watch (non-smart)
Many halls have no visible clock. A simple analogue or digital wristwatch without communication features helps you pace a timed practical paper. Smart watches and phones are almost always prohibited in the hall.
Water and a light snack
Practical papers can run several hours. Bring a clear bottle and something quiet to eat during any permitted break. Confirm with the provider whether food is allowed at the desk or only outside the hall.
Transport and timing plan
Rehearse the route or check the map, and plan to arrive well before the reporting time to absorb queues at security and verification. Identify a backup route in case of delays.
Emergency contact and provider helpline number
Save the exam authority's helpline and a family contact on paper as well as on your phone, in case devices are collected at the gate.
Read the current information bulletin
Re-read the conduct and materials sections for your specific year. Rules on permitted media, paper size, and electronic devices change between cycles. Confirm with the provider if anything in the bulletin is ambiguous.
Backup supplies
Pack spares of the items most likely to fail: a second eraser, extra pencils or brushes, and additional paper only if the provider permits it. Confirm with the provider before bringing loose paper into the hall.
Rest and preparation the night before
Set out clothes and the packed bag, charge nothing that is banned, and sleep early. Do not attempt to learn new techniques in the final hours; light practice and rest serve you better.
Plan the day
Download and print the admit card, verify the venue, date, and reporting time, and resolve any discrepancy with the provider. Read the current information bulletin's conduct and materials sections. Assemble all supplies and test each item: sharpen pencils, check brush ferrules, confirm colours are usable. Do one timed practice piece under exam conditions to rehearse pacing and composition, then stop heavy practice.
Rehearse the journey to the centre at the same time of day if possible, noting travel time and any security queues. Prepare clothes and a transparent pouch for materials. Review composition and proportion notes rather than memorising new techniques. Confirm the accepted ID type with the provider if there is any doubt.
Pack the bag completely and place it by the door. Lay out the admit card and ID. Eat a normal meal, avoid late screen time, and sleep at a reasonable hour. Check the weather and transport updates. Do not start a large new practice piece that could leave you tired or anxious.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Leave with generous buffer time and arrive before the reporting time. Keep the admit card and ID accessible for verification. Use waiting time for calm observation and light warm-up sketches on scrap only if permitted, not for cramming.
Follow staff instructions, keep belongings organised, and expect checks of ID and materials. Switch off and stow any phone or device as directed. Locate your seat, check the paper and materials supplied, and report damaged or missing items to the invigilator immediately.
Read all instructions and the full question before starting. Allocate time explicitly: planning and thumbnail sketches, blocking in the composition, developing detail, then finishing and checking. Keep your sheet clean and protected, work steadily rather than rushing detail early, and reserve the final minutes for review against the brief. If a break is permitted, use it briefly and return promptly.
Hand in materials as instructed and take your belongings. Note anything unusual that occurred in case you need to contact the provider later. Avoid comparing work in detail with others, which only adds stress, and rest before any further papers.
Rules to check
Carry the admit card and the original photo ID named by the provider at all times in the hall. Candidates without valid documents may be refused entry, so confirm the accepted ID types with the provider in advance.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or any communication or storage device into the examination hall. Follow staff instructions on where to leave them; possession in the hall may be treated as misconduct.
Bring only the media and materials the syllabus permits. If you are unsure whether an item such as loose paper, fixative, or a particular medium is allowed, confirm with the provider before the exam day rather than risking confiscation.
Follow invigilator instructions on seating, starting and stopping, and handing in work. Writing or drawing after the stop signal, or continuing on unauthorised surfaces, is usually treated as misconduct.
Breaks, water, and food are governed by centre rules that vary. Confirm with the provider what is permitted, and raise any medical need for a break or medication in advance through the official channel.
Work only on the paper and surface supplied or approved by the centre, and keep your sheet free of identifying marks unless the instructions require them. Unapproved marks can be treated as an attempt to identify your work.
Scoring is against the published criteria for the paper, so address every part of the brief, including composition, technique, and finish, rather than excelling in one area only. Read the marking scheme in the syllabus if it is published.
If a rule, timing, or venue detail is unclear, contact the provider's official helpline and keep a record of the response. Do not rely on hearsay from other candidates.