Bac F3 Burkina Faso exam-day guide
Bac F3 Burkina Faso · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification (original)
Bring the original ID document you registered with. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is allowed, since rules differ between centres.
Convocation / registration confirmation
Print or download the convocation showing your candidate number, centre and schedule. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is acceptable.
Several black or blue ballpoint pens
Bring at least three working pens plus a spare, and test them beforehand. Confirm with the provider which ink colour is required for answer scripts.
Pencils, sharpener and eraser
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted on the final answer document or only for drafts.
Simple watch (no smart features)
Exam halls do not always display a reliable clock. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are allowed at your centre, as some venues prohibit them.
Clear water bottle, label removed
Staying hydrated helps concentration during a long paper. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Know your centre location and travel time
Do a route check the day before and plan to arrive well before the start time. Confirm with the provider what arrival time and late-entry cut-off apply.
Leave phones and connected devices at home or in the designated area
Any device brought into the hall must be switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider the exact policy on phones and smart watches, as penalties can be severe.
Read the instructions page before writing
Check the number of sections, the marks per section and any choice of questions before you start answering.
Plan rough work and answer layout
Use the space the paper provides for rough work and number your answers clearly so the marker can follow them. Confirm with the provider whether extra rough-work paper is supplied.
Check permitted materials for your option
Some options may allow a calculator, dictionary or formula sheet. Confirm with the provider the exact list of authorised materials for your subject and option, since an unauthorised item can lead to disqualification.
Emergency contact and transport backup
Have a contact number and a backup way of reaching the centre in case of transport problems. Confirm with the provider whom to call if you are delayed.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Review your summary sheets, formula lists and past error logs, and do one timed practice paper under realistic conditions. Check the exact date, start time, centre address and reporting time from your convocation, and confirm with the provider any point that is unclear, such as permitted materials or ID requirements. Prepare your bag with ID, convocation, pens, pencils and any authorised items, and set out clothes and transport plans. Protect your sleep: keep the same bedtime each night rather than cramming late.
Do a light review only, focusing on the topics you most often get wrong, and read through the instructions of a sample paper so the format feels familiar. Re-check the centre location and journey time, including traffic and parking, and confirm the reporting time. Charge nothing you cannot bring into the hall, and leave devices out of your bag. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine in the evening, and go to bed at your usual time. If you feel unwell, confirm with the provider what the procedure is for illness before exam day rather than on the morning itself.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the centre with time to spare, well before the reporting time, and go through ID and security checks calmly. Once seated, read the front page of the paper carefully, note the total time and the marks per section, and write your candidate details exactly as instructed. Take a few slow breaths before turning the page.
Skim the whole paper first and allocate time per section in proportion to marks, keeping a reserve of five to ten minutes for checking. Answer the questions you find easiest first to build momentum, then return to harder ones. Watch the clock at each section boundary rather than constantly. Show working where marks are awarded for method, write legibly and number answers clearly. If you run out of time, write brief outline points for remaining questions rather than leaving them blank, and use the final minutes to check that every required question has been attempted and your details are correct.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document you registered with; without acceptable ID you may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if ID is lost.
Arrive by the reporting time stated on your convocation. Late candidates may not be admitted once the paper has started; confirm with the provider the exact late-entry rule for your centre.
Switch off all phones and connected devices and store them where instructed. Possession of an unauthorised device in the hall is typically treated as misconduct, so confirm with the provider the precise policy.
Bring only authorised materials. Bags, notes and unauthorised equipment must be left outside the desk area; confirm with the provider the permitted items for your subject and option.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has begun, and do not look at another candidate's work. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need anything.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks, toilet visits and leaving the hall. Confirm with the provider whether supervised breaks are allowed and whether extra time is granted for them.
Write only within the time allowed and stop immediately when told. Continuing to write after the instruction to stop can be treated as misconduct.
Marks are awarded for what is written on the answer document, so make sure your candidate details, question numbers and final answers are clear. Confirm with the provider how scripts are marked and whether negative marking applies to any section.