CELTA exam-day guide
CELTA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring the original ID document used for your booking (passport or driving licence). Confirm with your centre which forms are accepted and whether a copy is needed.
Printed lesson plan and spare copies
If your centre requires a written plan for assessed teaching, print it and bring one copy for your tutor and one for yourself. Confirm the required format with your centre.
All teaching materials
Handouts, flashcards, cue cards, worksheets, and any realia. Count them and pack them in the order you will use them.
Backup of digital files
Save audio, slides, and videos on a USB stick and in cloud/email. Test playback on the centre's equipment before your session if allowed.
Board pens and eraser
Bring your own dry-wipe markers and eraser; some centres supply them but availability varies. Confirm with your centre.
Timer or watch
A silent timer helps you keep stage timings. Phone timers may be permitted if silent and face-down; confirm your centre's device policy.
Course timetable and assessment criteria
Bring your timetable and the CELTA assessment criteria or your tutor's feedback forms so you can refer to them during self-evaluation.
Notebook and pen
For self-evaluation, peer observation notes, and writing down tutor feedback.
Water and a snack
Breaks can be short on intensive courses. Keep food and drink away from teaching materials and equipment.
Charged laptop/device and charger
Include any adapters needed for the centre's projectors or sockets. Confirm whether personal devices are allowed in the teaching room.
Centre contact details and journey plan
Save the centre's phone number and plan your route. Arrive early enough to check in and set up without rushing.
Prescribed coursebook or grammar reference
Bring any book your tutor has asked you to use. Confirm with your centre whether it is required on the day.
Plan the day
Confirm the exact schedule and room with your centre. Print your lesson plan and materials, rehearse your stages aloud, check that all digital files play, and re-read the assessment criteria. Protect your sleep.
Pack your bag with ID, printed plans, materials, pens, timer, charger, and backup USB. Confirm your journey and arrival time. Avoid learning new material; review your plan and prepare self-evaluation notes.
Eat a proper meal, arrive 30–45 minutes early, check in with reception, and set up your teaching space. Test equipment and lay out materials in the order you will use them. Silence your phone.
Follow your lesson plan but stay flexible. Keep to stage timings, monitor learner understanding, and note what happens for your self-evaluation. After teaching, complete any written self-evaluation promptly and record tutor feedback.
Rules to check
CELTA is assessed continuously through teaching practice and written assignments; there is no single final written exam. Confirm your centre's specific assessment schedule and deadlines.
Bring valid photo ID; the name must match your booking. Confirm with your centre which ID documents are accepted.
Keep phones silent and out of sight during teaching and assessment sessions. Ask your centre about laptop and device use.
Follow the centre's break policy. Do not leave during an assessed teaching session without your tutor's permission.
Attendance at assessed components is mandatory. Missing an assessed teaching session or assignment deadline may affect certification; confirm the centre's policy in advance.
Submit your own work for written assignments. Do not copy from published materials or other candidates without proper citation.
Do not record tutors, peers, or learners without explicit permission from the centre and the individuals involved.
Results and feedback are released through your centre and Cambridge. Do not share confidential assessment materials or other candidates' work.