NB Grade 8 Scientific Literacy exam-day guide
NB Grade 8 Scientific Literacy · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or registration confirmation
Print a copy and also save it on your phone. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is accepted.
Acceptable photo identification
Bring the ID type the provider specifies for the candidate's age group (for example a school ID or passport). Confirm the exact accepted documents with the provider before test day; do not assume any particular ID is valid.
Permitted stationery
Typically pencils, an eraser, and a pencil sharpener. Confirm with the provider which items are allowed and whether pens or highlighters are prohibited.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Check the provider's calculator policy in advance, including any model restrictions. If calculators are not allowed, leave it at home to avoid confiscation.
Clear water bottle and a light snack
Bring water and a small snack for before or after the test. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk or only during breaks.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analog or digital watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and phones are usually not permitted; confirm the provider's policy.
Know the test location and travel route
Plan the route and check transport timings the day before. Confirm the reporting time and the exact entrance with the provider or school coordinator.
Layered clothing
Exam rooms can be warm or cold. Dress in layers so you can adjust without distracting others.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smart devices, and notes are commonly restricted. Confirm the provider's rules on phones and where bags are stored.
Read the provider's candidate instructions
Go through the official instructions for timing, sections, and permitted materials. Note any section-specific rules, such as separate answer sheets.
Rest and a normal breakfast
Sleep well for several nights before the test and eat a usual breakfast. Avoid trying new foods or heavy caffeine on the morning of the exam.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number in case of delay or illness. Confirm with the provider how to report an absence or lateness.
Plan the day
Review your summary notes and the scientific-literacy skills you practised: reading data tables, interpreting graphs, identifying variables, and judging whether a conclusion follows from evidence. Do short timed practice sets rather than long cramming sessions. Write a one-page sheet of formulas and key terms you keep confusing, and reread it each day. Check that your stationery, ID, and admission documents are ready. Confirm the reporting time, location, and permitted materials with the provider. Stop studying new topics in the last day; consolidate what you already know.
Do a light review of your one-page summary and a few practice questions, then stop. Pack your bag with admission documents, ID, stationery, water, snack, and watch. Lay out clothes. Check the travel route and set two alarms. Confirm the provider's rules on phones and bags so you know what to leave behind. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine in the evening, and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a normal breakfast, dress in layers, and leave with extra travel time. Do a final check of documents, ID, and stationery before leaving. Arrive at the reporting time the provider specifies. Once seated, read all instructions on the paper, check the number of pages and questions, and note the time allowed. Take a few slow breaths and begin with questions you find straightforward to build momentum.
Pace yourself by dividing the total time by the number of questions and leaving time to check. Read each question fully, underline the command word (describe, explain, compare, evaluate), and check what the data or graph actually shows before choosing an answer. For data questions, note units, axes, and sample size. For conclusions, ask whether the evidence supports the claim or only correlates with it. If a question stalls you, mark it and move on; return later. Fill in answers clearly and check that your answer numbers match the question numbers. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the final minutes to check for unanswered questions and transcription errors.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from the invigilator and the provider's written candidate rules. If an instruction is unclear, raise your hand and ask before acting.
Bring only permitted materials to your desk. Phones and smart devices are commonly restricted; confirm with the provider where they must be stored and whether any exceptions apply.
Keep your admission documents and acceptable photo ID available for checking. Confirm the accepted ID types with the provider in advance.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not look at others' papers. Raise your hand if you need the invigilator.
Use breaks only as the provider allows. Confirm the rules on leaving the room, access to water or snacks, and returning before the next section begins.
Write answers in the format the paper requires, such as circling options or filling boxes, and make sure your name or candidate number is on every required sheet.
If you feel unwell or need to leave the room, tell the invigilator immediately. Confirm the provider's procedure for illness or absence, including whether any allowance is possible.
Scoring and grading policies, including how sections are weighted and whether there is a penalty for wrong answers, are set by the provider. Confirm these details with the provider rather than assuming.