NB Francophone G4 Writing exam-day guide
NB Francophone G4 Writing · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification named in your admission notice. If the notice is unclear about which IDs are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day; a wrong ID can bar entry.
Admission or confirmation document
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location. Some centres check it at the door, so keep it accessible rather than buried in email.
Directions and arrival time
Reconfirm the address and the reporting time the day before. Plan to arrive with buffer for transit delays; late arrival rules vary, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are late.
Permitted writing tools
Bring only what the provider lists as allowed (typically pencils or pens). Check whether scratch paper is supplied or prohibited; do not assume.
Water and a light snack
Bring a small snack and water for before or after the session if the centre permits it. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Watch or time awareness
A simple watch can help you pace sections, but confirm whether watches are permitted; many centres prohibit smartwatches. The room clock may not be visible from every seat.
Personal preparation routine
Decide in advance how you will handle the writing tasks: read the prompt fully, plan briefly, write, then reserve time to review spelling, agreement, and accents.
French writing conventions review
Review high-value points: verb endings, subject-verb agreement, gender and number agreement, accents, punctuation spacing, and formal versus informal register.
Task timing plan
Set rough minutes per task based on the number of writing tasks and total time. Practise the plan once under timed conditions so it feels realistic.
Emergency contacts and transport backup
Save the centre phone number and a backup transport plan. If a delay happens, you will know whom to call and what alternative route to take.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smart devices, and notes are usually restricted. Confirm the provider's list of prohibited items and plan where to leave them before entering.
Rest and logistics
Protect sleep the night before, eat a normal breakfast, and keep the morning simple. Fatigue shows up most in grammar and spelling checks.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Re-read your own recent writing samples and list your three most frequent errors, such as verb endings, accents, or agreement. Do one timed practice task per day, then correct it carefully against a checklist rather than writing more without review. Confirm the test location, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider if anything is unclear. Prepare clothes and transport so the last evening is calm.
Do a short review only: verb tense endings, agreement rules, common accent patterns, and the structure of the task types. Do not start a new topic. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, permitted tools, water, and snack. Set two alarms and check the route and travel time. Aim for a normal night's sleep; cramming late is usually a net loss for a writing test.
Eat a normal breakfast and avoid rushing. Recheck that your ID and confirmation are in the bag. Arrive early enough to settle, use the restroom, and find the room without stress. Skim your one-page review sheet for a few minutes only, focusing on your personal error list, then put it away. Follow staff instructions about phones and personal items.
Read each prompt fully before writing, including any word-count or register requirement. Spend a short time planning main points and linking words. Write legibly with clear paragraphs, then reserve the final minutes to check agreement, verb forms, accents, and punctuation. If time runs short, finish the task in a complete but simpler form rather than leaving it unfinished. Keep to the provider's rules on materials and timing.
Rules to check
Bring the identification specified by the provider; if the requirement is not explicit in your admission materials, confirm with the provider in advance.
Follow all instructions from invigilators about seating, materials, and personal belongings; ask staff if a rule is unclear rather than guessing.
Keep phones and other electronic devices out of the testing room unless the provider explicitly permits them; confirm the policy beforehand.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share or copy written work; treat all tasks as individual work.
If you need a break, raise your hand and follow staff directions; break rules and timing vary, so confirm with the provider if you have a medical need.
Write only in the spaces or materials the provider allows, and respect any stated word limits or task requirements.
Scoring and results timelines are set by the provider; check the official information for how and when results are released rather than relying on secondhand reports.
If something goes wrong on test day, such as a late arrival or a problem with materials, tell staff immediately and follow the provider's procedure for reporting issues.