Cambridge TKT exam-day guide
Cambridge TKT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission confirmation or statement of entry
Print or save the confirmation your centre sent. Check the module(s), date, time and venue. If you have not received it, contact your centre before test day.
needs_review – Valid photo ID in the name used for registration
Accepted ID types vary by centre and country. Confirm with your test centre which original document is required and whether photocopies are accepted.
needs_review – Pens, 2B pencils, eraser and sharpener
Paper-based Cambridge exams often require pencil for answer sheets and pen for candidate details, but rules vary by centre and format. Confirm the exact stationery list with your provider and bring spares.
Clear water bottle only if permitted
Keep it label-free and place it where the invigilator allows. Confirm whether drinks are permitted in your test room.
Simple non-smart watch
Use only if clocks are not clearly visible and the centre permits watches. Disable alarms. Smart watches and wearable devices should be left at home.
Travel plan and centre contact number
Know the exact building and entrance, not just the street address. Save the centre phone number and allow extra time for transport delays.
Bag and device plan
Decide where your phone and bag will be stored. Phones must be switched off and stored as instructed; do not keep them on your person during the test.
Glasses, hearing aid or essential medical items
Bring what you normally need. If you require access arrangements, confirm well before test day that they have been approved and will be in place.
Light snack and water for after the test
Keep these in your bag rather than at your desk unless the centre says otherwise.
A final format review
Remind yourself of the task types and timing for your module. Do not try to learn new content in the last 24 hours.
Rest and sleep plan
Protect your sleep in the final two nights. Fatigue affects reading accuracy and time management more than one extra hour of revision.
Plan the day
Confirm your registration, module(s), venue, start time and ID requirements with your centre. Check travel arrangements and do one timed practice section to rehearse pacing. Stop heavy new study and keep your sleep schedule steady.
Pack your ID, confirmation, stationery and travel essentials. Lay out clothes, check the weather and transport, review the test format and instructions, set two alarms, and avoid last-minute cramming.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the time instructed by your centre, have your ID ready, switch off and store your phone, use the restroom before entering the room, and listen carefully to the invigilator.
Read the instructions for each task, keep an eye on the clock, answer every question, mark uncertain items and return to them if time allows, and check that answers are entered against the correct question numbers. Leave a few minutes to review.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID required by your centre, with the same name as your registration. If you do not have acceptable ID, you may not be admitted; confirm accepted documents with your provider in advance.
Arrive at the time stated on your confirmation. Late admission is at the centre's discretion and may not be possible; confirm the centre's late-arrival policy before test day.
Switch off all phones and electronic devices and store them as instructed. Do not keep a phone, smart watch or any wearable device on your person during the test.
Do not communicate with other candidates, share materials, or use notes or unauthorised aids. Follow all instructions from the invigilator.
There is normally no scheduled break during the test. If you urgently need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; confirm how this affects your time.
Answer every question. TKT questions are generally marked with one mark per correct answer and no penalty for a wrong answer, but confirm the current scoring rules with your provider.
Request any access arrangements or special consideration well before test day. Accommodations cannot usually be arranged on the morning of the test.
Results are reported by band rather than as a simple pass or fail. Check the current band descriptors and results timeline with your centre.