Welsh Canolradd (Intermediate, B1) exam-day guide
Welsh Canolradd (Intermediate, B1) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID specified by your test centre (usually a passport or photocard driving licence). Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether a copy is sufficient.
Confirmation email or booking reference
Have your appointment confirmation available on paper or on your phone so staff can locate your registration quickly.
Test centre address and arrival instructions
Check the exact address, entrance, and recommended arrival time on your confirmation. Some centres are inside schools or colleges and have separate exam entrances.
Travel plan and backup
Plan to arrive with spare time. Check local transport for the morning of the test; roadworks or rail replacement can affect timing.
Water and a light snack
Bring a clear bottle of water if the centre allows it. Avoid heavy meals immediately before the test; a short snack between listening and reading sections can help concentration.
Watch or silent timer
A simple watch can help you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible. Smart watches and phones are usually not permitted at your desk - confirm with the provider.
Permitted stationery
Bring a black or blue pen and a pencil with an eraser if your centre requires paper answer sheets. Confirm with the provider whether stationery is provided.
Medical or access arrangements evidence
If you have approved extra time or other access arrangements, bring the confirmation letter. Arrangements are usually agreed in advance and cannot be added on the day - confirm with the provider.
Phones and smart devices switched off and stored
Switch off your phone and any smart watch before entering the exam room. Store them where staff direct; keeping a device on your person during the test can lead to invalidation.
Review Welsh listening and speaking warm-up material
Bring a short, familiar Welsh text or audio clip to read or listen to quietly before the test. A five-minute warm-up in Welsh helps activate vocabulary and pronunciation.
Know the structure and timing of each section
Check the order of the sections (listening, reading, writing, speaking) and how long each lasts. Confirm with the provider, as the order and timing can vary between centres.
Confirm break and leaving policy
Ask in advance whether there are supervised breaks and whether you can leave the room during the test. Rules differ between paper-based and computer-based delivery - confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Re-read the format for each section and do one timed practice task per skill. Focus on the instructions for the writing tasks (for example, a short formal email and a longer opinion piece) and the speaking tasks (for example, a short presentation and a discussion). Do not start new grammar topics; review your own recurring errors instead.
Check your registration details: name spelling, test date, centre, and any access arrangements. If anything is wrong, contact the provider immediately, as changes close to the test date may not be possible.
Prepare your ID and confirmation documents and put them in your bag. Confirm the centre's accepted ID and arrival time with the provider if you are unsure.
Do a light review only: skim a list of useful connectives (felly, er hynny, ar y llaw arall), common formal phrases for letters and emails, and a few speaking prompts. Stop studying in the evening and get a full night's sleep.
Plan your route and check transport times. Set two alarms. Pack water, stationery, and any approved access-arrangement letter. Avoid alcohol and heavy late meals.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare - aim for at least 15–20 minutes before the stated arrival time, or as instructed by the provider. Speak a little Welsh aloud on the way to warm up your pronunciation.
At the centre, switch off your phone and smart watch, follow staff instructions for registration and storage of belongings, and use the toilet before the test begins. Keep conversation with other candidates in Welsh or English brief and calm.
Read the instructions for each section carefully and note the marks and suggested timing. In listening, read the questions before the recording starts and answer as you listen. In reading, skim the text for the main idea before answering detail questions.
In writing, plan for two or three minutes, write clearly, and leave time to check agreement, verb endings, and mutations. In speaking, ask the examiner to repeat a question if needed, use the preparation time for the presentation task, and keep talking - fluency and communication matter more than perfect accuracy at B1.
Watch the clock and leave no blank answers in multiple-choice or matching tasks. If you finish early, check your answers rather than leaving the room, unless staff allow otherwise.
Note which sections felt difficult while the memory is fresh, and ask the provider about result dates and the appeals or resit policy before you leave.
Rules to check
Bring the identification required by your test centre and keep it on your desk if instructed. The accepted forms and whether a photocopy is allowed vary - confirm with the provider before the test day.
Arrive at the time stated on your confirmation. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or that your test is marked as absent; the exact cut-off is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Switch off phones, smart watches, and any other electronic devices and store them as directed. Unauthorised devices or notes in the exam room can lead to your result being cancelled.
Follow the centre's rules on breaks, leaving the room, and speaking to other candidates. In many centres you may only leave under supervision and only one candidate at a time - confirm the local policy.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share or copy answers. Suspected malpractice is handled under the provider's regulations and can result in invalidation.
Access arrangements such as extra time or a separate room must be approved before the test. They cannot usually be arranged on the day - confirm with the provider if you believe you are entitled to them.
Scoring and grade boundaries are set by the awarding body and are not announced in the exam room. Ask the provider how and when results are released and what the resit arrangements are.
If you feel unwell or there is an emergency during the test, raise your hand and speak to an invigilator immediately. Do not leave the room without permission.