Concours CAFOP-IA exam-day guide
Concours CAFOP-IA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / authorization to sit
The official document (often called convocation or autorisation) showing your exam centre, date, time and candidate number. Print it and keep it in a plastic sleeve. If you have not received it, contact the organising body (for CAFOP-IA, the relevant ministry or its delegated service) immediately; do not assume you can sit without it. Confirm with the provider what document is required.
Valid national identity document
Bring the original ID used in your application (national identity card, passport, or other accepted document). Check that it is unexpired and that the name matches your convocation exactly. A photocopy is usually not accepted. Confirm the list of accepted IDs with the provider.
Several black or blue ballpoint pens and a pencil
Bring at least two ballpoint pens of the same ink colour, a sharpened pencil, an eraser and a pencil sharpener. Some answer sheets require pencil for machine reading; check the instructions on your convocation. Do not bring correction fluid unless explicitly allowed.
Watch or small clock (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features helps you pace yourself. Smartwatches and connected devices are normally prohibited; leave them at home.
Water in a transparent bottle and a small snack
Stay hydrated and keep energy up, especially if the test is long or the weather is hot. Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle and a light snack (e.g. a banana or cereal bar) to eat only if breaks and food are permitted. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the room.
Directions and travel plan to the centre
Write down the exact address of the centre and plan your route, including transport. Do a dry run if possible. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time; lateness can mean exclusion. Confirm the reporting time and centre address on your convocation.
Emergency contact and phone kept outside the room
Bring a phone for logistics, but switch it off and leave it outside the exam room in the designated area. Have a family member's number written on paper in case of an emergency. Do not keep a phone in your pocket during the test.
Small amount of cash for transport and emergencies
Keep enough money for return transport, water or a snack. Avoid carrying large sums. Keep it discreetly and securely.
Reviewed key formulas and a one-page summary (for the waiting period)
Prepare a single sheet of key facts, formulas and definitions in your own words. Use it only while waiting outside the room and leave it with your bag before entering. Do not bring any paper into the exam room unless the instructions allow it.
Comfortable clothing and weather protection
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for the season. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket if rain is likely. Dress in layers if the room may be air-conditioned or hot.
Read the convocation instructions carefully
Check the reporting time, the list of prohibited items, the duration of each paper and whether breaks are scheduled. Rules vary by session; confirm with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
Medical certificate or accommodation request (if applicable)
If you need special arrangements (e.g. extra time, separate room, medication), you must normally request them in advance and bring supporting documents. Contact the provider well before the exam; do not assume arrangements will be made on the day. needs_review: confirm the provider's procedure and deadlines.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidation. Review your one-page summary, redo a few representative exercises under timed conditions, and check the exam format and instructions on your convocation. Prepare your documents and materials: ID, convocation, pens, pencil, watch, water bottle, snack, cash. Confirm the centre address and plan your route. Sleep at your normal time; avoid all-nighters.
Pack your bag with the checklist items and place it by the door. Re-read the convocation for reporting time and prohibited items. Prepare clothes and, if needed, an umbrella. Eat a normal meal and avoid heavy or unfamiliar food. Set two alarms. Do a light review only; stop studying by early evening. If you must travel far, consider staying near the centre the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Leave home with enough margin to arrive early; aim for at least 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time. Switch off your phone and put it away before entering the centre. Present your convocation and ID at the checkpoint. Go to the toilet before entering the room. Keep your summary sheet outside the room.
Read all instructions and check the number of pages. Write your candidate number and name exactly as instructed. Pace yourself: note the start and end times and allocate time per section, leaving a few minutes to transfer answers and check. Answer the easiest questions first if you are stuck. For multiple-choice questions, read every option and be wary of absolute words. If you must guess, eliminate clearly wrong options first. Keep your answer sheet clean and do not fold it. Raise your hand if you need to leave the room; follow the invigilator's instructions.
Rules to check
Bring the original convocation and a valid identity document. Without them you may be refused entry. Check with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photograph is required.
Arrive at the centre at the reporting time stated on your convocation. Late candidates may not be admitted once the test has started. Confirm the provider's lateness policy in advance.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, connected devices or any unauthorised electronic equipment into the exam room. Switch them off and leave them outside as instructed. Possession in the room can lead to disqualification.
Do not bring unauthorised paper, notes or books into the room. Use only the materials allowed by the instructions. Follow the invigilator's directions about bags and personal items.
Breaks are not automatic. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; you may be accompanied. Confirm with the provider whether scheduled breaks exist and whether food and drink are allowed.
Scoring and answer-sheet rules are set by the organising body. Fill in the answer sheet exactly as instructed (ink colour, pencil, shading), do not write in the margins, and do not make identifying marks. Confirm the marking scheme and any penalty for wrong answers with the provider.
Maintain honest conduct. Do not communicate with other candidates, look at others' papers, or use unauthorised aids. Any suspicion of fraud can lead to immediate exclusion and further sanctions.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. If you believe there is a problem (e.g. a misprinted page or a disturbance), raise your hand and report it immediately rather than after the test.