Bac F4 Burkina Faso exam-day guide
Bac F4 Burkina Faso · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation letter
Bring the official convocation (or registration receipt) showing your centre, room, and time. If you have not received one, contact the direction régionale or your school well before the exam to confirm the procedure.
National identity document
Bring a valid CNIB (carte nationale d'identité burkinabè) or passport. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted if you have no CNIB; a school ID card alone may not be sufficient.
School ID card and exam card
Bring your établissement ID card if issued, plus any candidate card or receipt given at registration.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Pens are the standard writing instrument for written papers. Bring spares; do not rely on a single pen.
Pencils, sharpener, and eraser
Useful for rough work, diagrams, and multiple-choice answer sheets. Confirm whether the subject permits pencil for final answers.
Ruler, set square, protractor, compass
Essential for mathematics, physics-chimie, and technical drawing (dessin technique). Check the subject-specific instructions for permitted instruments.
Non-programmable calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are authorised for your série; programmable or graphing models are often restricted.
Watch (non-connected)
Exam rooms may lack a visible clock. A simple watch helps you manage time. Smart watches and connected devices are generally prohibited.
Water bottle and small snack
Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the room.
Cash for transport and fees
Keep enough for transport and any incidental fees. Arrive early enough that a transport delay does not cost you the exam.
Leave prohibited items at home
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earphones, or notes. If you must carry a phone, confirm the centre's procedure for depositing it before entering.
Know your centre and route in advance
Visit or map the exam centre beforehand. Plan to arrive well before the stated start time to allow for identity checks and seating.
Plan the day
Review your convocation and confirm the exact centre, room, date, and start time for each paper. Check the address and plan your route and transport. If anything on the convocation is wrong or missing, contact the provider immediately.
Make a written list of every subject and its duration, then do one timed practice paper per major subject. Focus on question types you have not practised recently rather than re-reading everything.
Re-read your formula sheets, key definitions, and method summaries for mathematics, physics-chimie, and your série-specific subjects. Keep sessions short and active: recall, then check.
Prepare your materials: pens, pencils, eraser, geometry instruments, calculator, ID, and convocation. Pack them in one bag so nothing is forgotten on the day.
Protect your sleep. Avoid all-night study; memory and reasoning are strongest after regular rest, especially for long written papers.
Do a light review only: skim summaries, formulas, and past mistakes. Stop studying early enough to eat and sleep at a normal hour.
Lay out clothes, ID, convocation, and your packed bag by the door. Check the weather and plan departure time with a buffer for transport.
Confirm your alarm and, if possible, arrange to travel with a classmate or family member. Tell someone your exam schedule.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the centre well before the stated time, allowing for identity checks, seating, and any queue.
Hand in or put away any phone or connected device following the centre's procedure before entering the room. Keep only authorised materials on your desk.
Read the whole paper first, note the marks per question, and allocate time accordingly. Start with questions you can answer confidently, then return to harder ones.
Write legibly, show your working, and label diagrams. For essays and long answers, plan briefly before writing and leave space for corrections.
Watch the clock and reserve the last few minutes to check that every question is attempted, your name and candidate number are correct, and pages are in order.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identity document required by the centre. If you lack the specified document, confirm with the provider in advance what alternative is accepted; do not assume a school card will suffice.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earphones, or unauthorised notes into the exam room. Follow the centre's instructions for depositing any device before entry.
Sit only at your assigned place and follow the invigilators' instructions. Do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has been distributed.
Breaks and permission to leave the room are set by the centre; confirm the procedure with the invigilator rather than leaving without permission.
Only use instruments and calculators authorised for your série. Confirm the permitted list with the provider before the exam.
Write your answers in the required format and language of the subject. Present your work clearly; marks are awarded for method and reasoning as well as final answers.
Any suspected cheating or irregularity is handled under the official exam regulations. Ask the invigilator if a rule is unclear rather than guessing.
Scoring and results procedures are set by the national examination authority; confirm publication dates and appeal procedures with the provider or your school.