ELA 30-1 Diploma exam-day guide
ELA 30-1 Diploma · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo identification
Driver's licence, passport, or similar. Most Alberta writing centres require photo ID; whether a school-issued student ID card is accepted varies by site, so confirm with your school which ID to bring. Status: needs_review.
Two or more pens with blue or black ink
Written responses must be legible and in ink. Bring a spare; a favourite pen that dies mid-essay is a real risk. Confirm with your teacher if your school specifies a colour. Status: needs_review.
Pencils (HB or similar) and a soft eraser
For the machine-scored multiple-choice answer sheet on Part B. Bring two sharpened pencils so you are not sharpening mid-section.
Highlighters
One or two colours for marking evidence in the reading texts before you write. Practice using them the same way in your timed rehearsal so the habit is automatic.
An analog watch (no smartwatch)
Many exam rooms have a clock, but not all are easily visible from every seat. A plain wristwatch lets you pace yourself without relying on the room. Smartwatches and any watch with communication features are not permitted.
Clear water bottle, label removed
Hydration helps on a long writing session. Container rules vary by writing centre, so check what your school allows. Status: needs_review.
Written confirmation of your exam time, room, and seat
Know the exact start time and location the day before; do not rely on memory or a friend's schedule. Sessions start on a fixed clock and late arrivals may not be admitted.
A transport and arrival plan
Plan to be at the site 20-30 minutes early to allow for ID checks, seating, and settling. Build in a buffer for weather and transit.
A phone plan that keeps it out of the room
Decide in advance where your phone will be: at home, in a locker, or with a staff member as directed. Do not plan to keep it in a pocket or bag at your desk.
Familiarity with the exam format and scoring guides
Review the official sample questions and the scoring categories for the written assignments so you know what markers reward. Read the rubrics before exam week, not during it.
A light snack for after the sitting
Sessions run long; eat protein and complex carbs beforehand and have something small for afterwards. Confirm the break policy at your writing centre before you count on leaving the room. Status: needs_review.
Plan the day
Do one full timed rehearsal of the written portion under exam conditions: same length, no notes, no phone. Then mark it against the official scoring categories and note your two biggest weaknesses.
Confirm logistics in writing: start time, building, room, ID requirements, and what is allowed at your desk. Contact your school if anything is unclear rather than guessing.
Shift your sleep schedule so you are waking at your normal school time; do not plan to catch up on sleep the night before.
Review, do not cram: skim your personal response and critical/analytical structures, transitional phrasing, and a short list of texts you know well enough to discuss confidently.
Do a short multiple-choice drill (20-30 questions) and practice the skim-question-return reading method you will use on Part B.
Pack your bag: ID, pens, pencils, eraser, highlighters, watch, water. Put it by the door. Lay out clothes.
Stop heavy study by early evening. Eat a normal meal, avoid a late caffeine load, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a real breakfast, check your bag against the list, and leave early enough to arrive 20-30 minutes before the start.
Hand over or stow your phone as directed before you enter the room. Keep your ID accessible for checking.
Read the instructions and the time allowance on the cover page before you begin, and note the finish time on your watch.
Budget your time before writing: reading and planning, drafting, then revising. Do not spend so long on the first assignment that the second is rushed; both carry weight.
Annotate the texts as you read-circle the speaker, the shift, the controlling idea-then write a one-paragraph plan before drafting. Leave 5-10 minutes to proofread for sentence boundaries and agreement.
Pace at roughly two minutes per question, flag anything that stalls you, and return to flagged items. Never leave a blank; there is no penalty for a reasoned guess.
Check that every answer is transferred to the answer sheet exactly as intended, that your name and ID fields are complete, and that nothing is left in the room.
Rules to check
Bring government-issued photo identification and be ready to show it. Sites differ on whether a school ID is sufficient, so confirm with your school before exam day. Status: needs_review.
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and any other communication or recording devices are not permitted in the exam room. Follow staff directions on where to store them; possessing one at your desk can void your sitting.
Only approved materials are allowed at your desk. Do not bring notes, study sheets, annotated texts, or unapproved dictionaries or reference materials. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask staff before the exam starts.
All work must be your own, produced during the sitting. Do not copy from another candidate, do not bring in pre-written material, and do not attempt to communicate with anyone other than staff during the exam.
Arrive by the stated start time. Admission after the exam has begun is at the discretion of the presiding examiner, and no extra time is granted for late arrival. Confirm your site's late-arrival policy in advance. Status: needs_review.
Leaving the room before the end of the sitting is restricted. Raise your hand and wait for staff if you need to leave; do not assume a break will be provided or that time stops. Confirm the break policy with your writing centre. Status: needs_review.
Scoring is based on the official scoring categories for each assignment and on the number of correct multiple-choice responses; there is no deduction for a wrong multiple-choice answer, so answer every question.
The weight of the diploma exam in your final course mark has changed in recent years. Confirm the current weighting with your teacher rather than relying on what an older student tells you. Status: needs_review.