NB Grade 10 PIF Reading exam-day guide
NB Grade 10 PIF Reading · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or registration confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your name, test date, and location. If you have not received one, contact your school or test coordinator before the exam day; the exact document required should be confirmed with the provider.
Acceptable photo identification
Bring the ID type your provider specifies (often a school ID or government-issued ID). Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether a photocopy is allowed.
Required stationery
Bring several sharpened pencils or pens, an eraser, and a pencil sharpener if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether pens, highlighters, or correction fluid are allowed, since rules vary.
Permitted calculator or tools
If your reading exam permits any aids, bring only the approved model. Most reading tests do not allow calculators, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Bring water and a snack only if your provider allows them in the testing room or during breaks. Confirm with the provider where items must be stored.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analog or digital watch can help you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Directions and arrival plan
Know the exact building, room, and entrance, and plan to arrive well before the start time. Confirm with the provider how early you should arrive and what happens if you are late.
Review the format and timing
Know the number of passages, question types, and total time so you can budget reading and answering. Confirm with the provider the exact section timing and whether there are breaks.
Practice pacing strategy
Decide in advance how long to spend reading each passage versus answering questions, and how you will flag items to return to. Base this on practice sets you have already completed.
Rest and nutrition plan
Sleep well for several nights before the exam and eat a normal breakfast. Avoid trying new caffeine levels or foods on exam morning.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are commonly banned from the testing room. Confirm with the provider the storage rules and consequences for prohibited items.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Save your coordinator's contact and arrange a backup ride. Confirm with the provider the procedure if illness or an emergency prevents attendance.
Plan the day
Do light review only: reread your notes on question types, practice one timed passage set, and review mistakes rather than learning new material. Confirm your admission documents, ID, and transportation. Stop heavy study the night before.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, stationery, water, and snack. Check the location and travel time, set two alarms, and go to bed at a normal hour. Avoid cramming new passages late at night.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and leave prohibited items at home or stored as directed. Skim your pacing plan once, then stay calm and avoid comparing preparation with other candidates.
Read the directions carefully, note the time limit, and skim each passage for structure before answering. Answer easier questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. For each answer, find the line or paragraph that supports it, and leave no blanks if there is no penalty for guessing (confirm with the provider).
Check that every question is answered, review flagged items, and make sure your name and ID details on the answer sheet are correct. Use remaining time to verify, not to start a long new passage.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID and admission documents your provider requires; candidates without them may be refused entry, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Arrive by the stated check-in time. Late arrival may mean lost time or refusal of entry; confirm with the provider the cutoff and procedure.
Keep phones, smartwatches, notes, and other prohibited items out of the testing room. Possession during the test may lead to invalidation; confirm with the provider.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator, including when you may open the booklet, turn pages, or leave the room.
Raise your hand to ask about a faulty page or to use the restroom; breaks and movement rules vary, so confirm with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not copy, share, or photograph test materials.
Scoring rules, including whether unanswered questions or wrong answers affect your score, are set by the provider; confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
If you feel unwell or an emergency occurs, notify the invigilator immediately and confirm the provider's policy on illness and rescheduling.