Concours INP-HB CPGE exam-day guide
Concours INP-HB CPGE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation printout
Print the convocation you received when registering and keep both a paper copy and a photo on your phone. Verify the exact time, room, and address it states. If you never received it or the details look wrong, contact the organizing service of the concours immediately - do not assume you can be admitted without it. (needs_review: confirm with the provider the exact document and whether a digital copy alone is accepted.)
Piece of identity with photo
Bring the original national ID card or passport used at registration, valid and not expired. A photocopy or a student card is generally not accepted as proof of identity. (needs_review: confirm with the provider which identity documents are accepted and whether an expired document with a renewal receipt is tolerated.)
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two) plus spares
Bring several pens of the same colour, a pencil, an eraser, and a small sharpener. Check that each pen writes before leaving home; a dead pen in the middle of a timed paper costs marks.
Non-programmable calculator, if the subject allows it
Bring a simple scientific calculator with fresh batteries and no memory of formulas. (needs_review: confirm with the provider whether calculators are allowed for your specific épreuve and which models are banned - graphing and programmable models are often prohibited.)
Wristwatch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A plain analogue or digital watch lets you manage the time yourself. Smartwatches and connected watches are usually forbidden in the room - leave them at home or in your bag.
Water bottle and a light snack
Bring a transparent bottle of water and something small to eat between two papers. Avoid heavy or noisy food. (needs_review: confirm with the provider whether drinks and snacks are allowed inside the exam room.)
Know the route and travel time to the centre
Do a dry run or check the itinerary the day before, including public transport schedules and possible traffic. Plan to arrive well before the reported time; aim for at least 30 to 45 minutes of margin.
Leave phones and connected devices switched off in your bag
A ringing or vibrating phone, even in a bag, can be treated as fraud. Switch it off completely before entering the room and do not keep it in your pocket.
Sleep, meals, and no last-minute cramming
The night before, sleep a full night rather than revising until 2 a.m. Eat a normal breakfast. Last-minute cramming of new material rarely helps and increases anxiety.
Read the instructions on the subject cover page
Before writing, read the header of the subject: number of pages, choice between exercises, permitted documents, and the recommended time allocation. Note any mandatory sections.
Write your identification carefully on every sheet
Fill in name, registration number, and any code exactly as on your convocation. Check once at the start and once at the end; an unidentifiable copy may not be graded.
Emergency contact and money for the day
Carry a small amount of cash and a phone number for the organizing service in case of a transport problem or a missing document. Keep valuables minimal.
Plan the day
Re-read the convocation and confirm the address, room, and reporting time. Check that your ID is valid and find it physically. Print any documents you need. Confirm transport schedules for the exam day and identify a backup route.
Make a complete list of what you will bring and lay the items out in one place: pens, pencil, eraser, calculator with fresh batteries, watch, water bottle, convocation, ID. Replace anything missing now rather than the night before.
Do a final structured revision: reread your own summary sheets and corrected mistakes, not new chapters. Practise one timed exercise per subject to rehearse pacing. Stop heavy revision in the evening.
Do the trip to the centre or verify the itinerary in detail. Prepare clothes and food for the next day. Switch off notifications and go to bed at a reasonable hour; sleep is worth more than one more exercise.
Eat breakfast, take the prepared bag, and leave with a large margin. On arrival, locate the room and toilets before the doors open. Switch off your phone completely and put it away before entering.
Sit at the place assigned to you, put your ID and convocation on the desk if asked, and listen to the invigilator's instructions. Read the whole subject before writing: identify the easiest questions to secure first.
Allocate time per section and stick to it. Write clearly, number your answers, and show intermediate reasoning - partial credit often rewards a correct method even when the final result is wrong. Keep 5 to 10 minutes at the end to check identification, numbering, and forgotten questions.
Stop writing when told, hand in your copy and any draft paper as instructed, and check you leave with your ID and belongings. Do not discuss answers in a way that disturbs you before the next paper.
Rules to check
Bring the convocation and a valid photo ID; without them you may be refused entry. If you are unsure what counts as acceptable proof, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Arrive before the reported time. Latecomers may be admitted or refused depending on the rules of the session; do not rely on being let in after the doors close - confirm with the provider.
Phones, smartwatches, and any connected or programmable device must be switched off and stored away. Using or even holding such a device during the test can be treated as fraud.
Only the documents and instruments explicitly authorised on the subject cover page may be on your desk. If in doubt about a calculator or a document, confirm with the provider beforehand.
Write only in the colour and on the paper required, identify every sheet, and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Any attempt at fraud may lead to cancellation of your results.
Breaks and toilet access are at the discretion of the invigilator; raise your hand and wait. Leaving the room may be supervised or refused during the final part of the test.
Scoring and grading scales are set by the concours organisers. Do not assume a particular weighting or pass mark; confirm the official rules with the provider.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including when to start and stop writing. Continuing to write after the stop signal can be sanctioned.