Concours AFA Direct exam-day guide
Concours AFA Direct · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation email
Bring the convocation you received from the organizing body (often called a 'convocation' or 'lettre de convocation'). It normally states the time, address, and any instructions. If you have not received it, contact the provider immediately. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Valid photo ID
Bring the identity document specified in your convocation. A national identity card or passport is the usual expectation; check which documents are accepted and whether an expired document is refused. Confirm with the provider.
Proof of registration / payment if requested
Some sessions ask for a receipt or registration confirmation. Keep a digital and paper copy. Confirm with the provider whether this is needed.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (several)
Most written concours require dark ink. Bring at least two working pens and a spare. Pencil is usually only for diagrams or machine-read sheets if explicitly allowed. Confirm with the provider which writing instruments are permitted.
Pencil, eraser, and small sharpener (if allowed)
Useful for rough work or multiple-choice answer sheets. Check whether rough paper is provided or whether you must write only in the booklet. Confirm with the provider.
Simple watch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A basic watch helps you manage time. Smartwatches and connected devices are almost always banned; confirm with the provider.
Water bottle and small snack
Long sittings can run several hours. Bring a clear, label-free bottle if the venue allows it, and a snack for before or after the test. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the room.
No prohibited electronic devices
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and calculators must normally be switched off and stored away, or surrendered at the start. Check the convocation for the exact rule. Confirm with the provider.
Transport plan and arrival time
Plan to arrive well before the doors close; late candidates are often refused entry. Check the venue location and public transport the day before. Confirm with the provider what arrival time is expected.
Know the test format and section timings
Re-read the official format notice: number of questions, sections, time limits, and whether there is a penalty for wrong answers. Confirm with the provider if the format notice is unclear.
Medical or accessibility arrangements confirmed in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodation, it must usually be requested before the session and approved in writing. Bring the approval letter. Confirm with the provider.
needs_review - Specific calculator or dictionary policy
Some concours allow a basic calculator or a paper dictionary; many do not. Do not assume. Confirm with the provider and note the answer in your convocation.
Plan the day
Re-read the convocation and the official format notice. Check the venue address, transport route, and travel time. Prepare your ID, convocation, and pens in one bag. Do one light review of your weakest section, then stop heavy new learning.
Do a timed mini-simulation of one section under exam conditions to practise pacing. Review your error log rather than new material. Confirm any outstanding question with the provider (calculator, dictionary, arrival time, ID type).
Light review only: formulas, vocabulary, or method sheets. Prepare clothes and food for the next day. Check the weather and transport disruptions. Set two alarms. Aim for a normal night's sleep; do not cram late.
Pack the bag: convocation, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water, snack, and any approved accommodation letter. Confirm the departure time and backup route. Avoid intense study after early evening. Eat a normal dinner and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Leave with extra margin for delays. Arrive at the venue early. Keep your phone off and stored before entering the room. Use the toilet before the start; breaks may be limited.
Read the instructions on the cover page carefully. Check the number of pages and questions. Write your identification details exactly as instructed. Note the start and end times. Ask a invigilator quietly if a page is missing or a rule is unclear.
Follow your section plan. Do not spend too long on one question; mark it and return if time allows. If there is a penalty for wrong answers, answer only when you can rule out enough options. Keep an eye on the clock at set checkpoints.
Reserve the last few minutes to transfer answers to the answer sheet if required, check that your name and number are correct, and ensure no question is left blank by accident. Stop writing immediately when told.
Rules to check
Identity: bring the exact photo ID named in your convocation and keep it on your desk if instructed. A different document, even a valid one, may be refused. Confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted.
Arrival and lateness: arrive at the time stated in the convocation. Candidates arriving after the doors close are usually refused entry, and no extra time is given. Confirm with the provider the latest accepted arrival time.
Prohibited items: phones, smartwatches, connected devices, and unauthorised notes must be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession in the room can lead to cancellation. Confirm with the provider the exact list.
Breaks: toilet breaks are often limited and may be escorted, and the clock usually does not stop. Plan hydration before the test. Confirm with the provider the break policy for your session.
Scoring and penalties: check whether wrong answers are penalised and whether sections are weighted. This affects guessing strategy. Confirm with the provider the scoring rule for your concours.
Conduct: follow invigilator instructions, do not communicate with other candidates, and do not look at others' papers. Any irregularity can lead to exclusion. Confirm with the provider the disciplinary procedure.
End of test: stop writing when instructed and leave materials on the desk. Do not take question booklets or answer sheets out of the room unless explicitly allowed. Confirm with the provider.
Accommodations: extra time or other arrangements must be approved in advance and evidenced in writing. Bring the approval. Confirm with the provider before the session.