NB Grade 10 FI Reading exam-day guide
NB Grade 10 FI Reading · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring the identification the test centre requires. Acceptable forms and name-matching rules vary, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and check that your name matches your registration exactly.
Admission or confirmation document
Print or save any confirmation the provider issues for your sitting. If the provider does not issue one, confirm with the provider what proof of registration you should bring.
Directions and arrival time
Know the exact building, room, and reporting time, and plan the route in advance. Arrival cut-offs and late-admission rules differ by centre, so confirm with the provider how early you must arrive and what happens if you are late.
Permitted writing materials
Bring only what the provider allows, such as pens or pencils and an eraser. Rules on highlighters, correction fluid, and pencil cases vary, so confirm with the provider before packing them.
Water and a small snack
Plan for hydration and energy, especially if the reading sections are long. Whether drinks and snacks may be kept at your desk or only accessed during breaks is centre-specific, so confirm with the provider.
Watch or timekeeping plan
Know how you will track time during each section. Some centres provide a visible clock and some do not allow personal watches, so confirm with the provider what timekeeping devices are permitted.
Leave devices behind or plan storage
Phones, smart watches, and earbuds are commonly restricted in the testing room. Confirm with the provider what must be switched off, where it must be stored, and whether storage is available on site.
Review reading strategies the day before
Skim your own notes on skimming for main ideas, scanning for details, and using context to infer unfamiliar words. Do not start new material the night before; consolidate what you already know.
Practice with strict timing
Complete at least one full timed reading set in the final days so you know your pace per passage and per question. Note how long you can spend on a question before moving on.
Sleep and morning routine
Protect your sleep in the final 72 hours and keep the morning-of routine simple. Reading comprehension depends heavily on sustained attention, so avoid late-night cramming.
Backup plan for transport
Identify a second route or a contact who can help if transport fails. Build in a buffer so a delay does not cost you your place in the sitting.
Re-read the provider's instructions
Go through the official instructions for your sitting once more in the final days. If any rule is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Plan the day
Shift from learning to consolidating. Do one or two timed reading sets under realistic conditions, then review only your own errors and note the question types that cost you time. Re-read the provider's instructions and confirm any unclear rules with the provider. Prepare your ID, confirmation document, permitted materials, and transport plan, and gradually move your sleep schedule toward an early start.
Do light review only: strategies for skimming, scanning, and inference, plus a short untimed passage to stay in practice. Pack everything the night before, lay out clothes, and check the route and reporting time. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed early. Do not attempt a full mock exam or start new material.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive with buffer time. Leave restricted devices stored or switched off as the provider requires. Once seated, read the instructions carefully, note the time limit for each section, and set a steady pace. If you feel anxious, take a few slow breaths before starting the first passage.
Work passage by passage. Skim the passage or questions first to establish what it is about, then answer with reference to the text rather than outside knowledge. If a question stalls you, mark it, choose a provisional answer, and return if time permits. Keep an eye on the clock so you do not run out of time on the final passage, and reserve a few minutes to check that no questions are left blank.
Rules to check
Bring the photo ID and any admission document the provider requires, and confirm with the provider in advance which forms of identification are accepted and how your name must match your registration.
Follow all instructions from invigilators about seating, materials, and the start and end of each section. If an instruction conflicts with what you expected, ask before the section begins rather than acting on an assumption.
Keep phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices switched off and stored as directed. Rules on possession and storage differ by centre, so confirm with the provider what is permitted in the testing room.
Bring only permitted materials. Rules on pens, pencils, highlighters, correction fluid, and paper differ by provider, so confirm with the provider rather than bringing items you are unsure about.
Break and restroom arrangements, including whether you may leave during a section, are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider in advance so you know what to expect.
Answer every question, since unanswered questions normally earn no credit. If you are unsure, eliminate options and choose the best-supported answer rather than leaving a blank.
Base answers on the passage provided. Reading questions test comprehension of the text, so avoid relying on general knowledge or personal opinion when the passage gives a specific answer.
If you believe there is a problem with the test conditions, materials, or timing, raise it with an invigilator immediately. Procedures for reporting issues after the sitting vary, so confirm with the provider how and when concerns should be raised.