FGV Vestibular exam-day guide
FGV Vestibular · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm exam location, date, and reporting time on your official registration card or portal
Re-check the venue address and the exact entry window in the days before the exam. FGV runs its vestibular in multiple cities and can allocate candidates to different sites; verify your personal assignment rather than relying on a friend's. If anything on the card looks wrong, contact the provider immediately.
Original photo ID with signature, as specified by the provider
Bring a valid original document (commonly RG, RNE, or passport-type photo ID). Photocopies and digital versions are usually not accepted. The exact list of accepted documents varies by edition, so confirm the accepted IDs with the provider before exam day.
Printed proof of registration / confirmation card
Print the confirmation showing your name, registration number, course option, and assigned room. Keep it with your ID so staff can check you in quickly. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is acceptable.
Black or blue ballpoint pen (bring two)
Answers are typically transcribed to an optical answer sheet, and some editions require dark ink. Bring two working pens of the same color and test them beforehand; avoid gel pens that smudge or bleed through the sheet.
Pencil, eraser, and a small sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any section where the provider allows marking the question booklet. Keep rough work clearly separated from the answer sheet, which must stay clean.
Transparent, sealable water bottle
Hydration matters over a long exam. Many venues allow only transparent bottles with labels removed; confirm the venue's policy, since some sites restrict drinks at desks.
Small snack for before or after the exam
Eat it outside the exam room and only if venue rules allow. A long exam day drains concentration; a light, familiar snack is safer than an unfamiliar energy drink.
Simple analog watch
Many rooms have a clock, but not all are visible from every seat. Smartwatches and phones are normally prohibited at the desk, so a basic analog watch is the safe choice.
Leave phone and smart devices powered off and stored as instructed
Even a silent phone can trigger disqualification if it is on your person during the exam. Switch it off before entering and stow it exactly where staff direct.
Know your transport route and plan to arrive early
Aim to reach the area well before the entry window closes, allowing buffer for traffic and for finding the correct building and room. Late arrivals are commonly barred once the exam has started, so treat the cutoff as absolute.
Review the provider's official instructions for prohibited items
Rules on caps, bags, calculators, notes, and electronic devices differ by edition and venue. Read the current candidate manual rather than assuming last year's rules apply.
Check the answer-sheet filling instructions in advance
Understand how to mark the bubbles, how to correct a mistake, and whether only one option per question is allowed. Practicing this on a sample sheet reduces wasted time and transcription errors.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and error log, focusing on mistakes you have already made rather than new topics. Do one timed section or a short simulation to keep your pacing sharp, then stop adding material. Confirm logistics: venue address, transport, reporting time, and the documents you must bring. Protect sleep: three nights of regular rest beat one night of cramming.
Pack your bag: ID, printed confirmation, two pens, pencil, eraser, water, snack, and watch. Read the provider's candidate instructions once more for prohibited items and entry rules. Do a light review of high-frequency content only, such as key formulas and essay structure, and prepare your writing plan mentally. Set two alarms, check transport times for the morning, and go to bed at your normal hour. Avoid intensive study after early evening.
Eat a normal breakfast you are used to, avoiding heavy or unfamiliar food. Recheck that your ID and confirmation are in the bag. Leave earlier than the route suggests and arrive at the venue with buffer before the entry window closes. Use the waiting time for calm review of summary notes, not for new content. Follow staff instructions for storing bags and devices, then settle into your seat and take a few slow breaths before the booklet is distributed.
Read the instructions on the cover and check the number of questions and the time allowed. Do a quick first pass answering questions you know, marking uncertain ones in the booklet. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints, for example every quarter of the allotted time, and leave enough minutes to transcribe answers carefully to the answer sheet. For multiple-choice items, eliminate options before guessing, since there is usually no penalty for a wrong answer, but confirm the scoring rule with the provider. For the essay, spend a few minutes planning the structure and thesis, write legibly, and reserve time to reread for clarity and grammar. If you feel stuck, move on and return later rather than losing minutes on one item.
Rules to check
Bring an original, signed photo ID as specified by the provider; photocopies and digital documents are generally not accepted. Confirm the exact accepted documents with the provider before exam day.
Arrive within the entry window. Candidates who arrive after the exam has begun are commonly not admitted, and no extra time is granted for lateness. Treat the reporting time as a hard deadline.
Keep phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices switched off and stored as staff instruct. Having a device at your desk during the exam can lead to disqualification.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not look at others' papers. Follow the invigilator's instructions immediately and raise your hand if you need assistance.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam, though water and, at some venues, a snack may be allowed with permission. Confirm the break and drink policy with the provider.
Transcribe answers to the answer sheet exactly as instructed, marking only one option per question unless told otherwise. Answers left only in the booklet are typically not scored.
Scoring rules, including whether wrong answers are penalized and how the essay is weighted, vary by edition. Confirm the current scoring and weighting rules with the provider rather than assuming.
Leaving the room before the permitted time is generally not allowed, and materials must be handed in. Confirm the early-exit policy with the provider.