Civil Service Basic exam-day guide
Civil Service Basic · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID matching your registration
Bring the original government-issued photo ID you registered with (passport, driver's license, or national ID). A photocopy or expired document is usually refused. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly, including middle names or transliterations.
Admission ticket or confirmation letter
Print or download the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location. Some providers require a printed copy and will not accept a phone screen. Confirm with the provider whether print or digital is accepted.
Arrival time and venue details written down
Note the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time, plus the building, floor, and room. Save an offline copy in case mobile signal fails at the venue.
Route and backup transport plan
Plan the journey with at least 30 minutes of buffer. Identify one alternative route or transport mode in case of delays, and check local transport notices for the date.
Permitted stationery only
Bring only what the provider allows, typically black or blue pens and pencils. Leave pencil cases, notes, and loose paper at home unless explicitly permitted. Confirm with the provider whether calculators, rulers, or erasers are allowed.
Clear water bottle and light snack
Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle if the venue permits it, and a small snack for before or after the test. Check whether food and drink are allowed at the desk; many venues restrict this.
No prohibited electronics
Leave smartwatches, fitness bands, earbuds, and phones switched off and stored as instructed. Even a silent device can trigger a misconduct finding if it is on your person during the test.
Registration number or candidate ID memorized
Write your candidate or registration number on a piece of paper you keep with your ID, so you can complete answer sheets or sign-in forms quickly.
Review the official instructions one final time
Read the current candidate handbook or instruction sheet for your specific test, since rules on calculators, breaks, and materials differ between providers and change over time. Confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Rest and sleep plan for the night before
Avoid last-minute cramming the night before. A normal sleep schedule supports attention and pace more than an extra hour of revision.
Medical or access arrangements confirmed
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, bring the approval letter and arrive early to settle in. Confirm with the provider that the arrangement is on record.
Weather and clothing check
Check the forecast and dress in layers, as exam halls are often cold or poorly ventilated. Comfortable clothing reduces distraction during a long sitting.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your summary notes, formula sheet, and error log, focusing on recurring mistakes. Take one timed practice section under exam conditions to rehearse pacing, then review only the questions you got wrong. Confirm your venue, reporting time, and transport route. Prepare your ID, confirmation letter, and stationery in one bag so nothing is left to the morning.
Do a light review of key facts and the test format, including the number of questions, time limit, and whether sections are separately timed. Recheck the venue location and journey time. Set two alarms and arrange your transport. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine in the evening, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not start a new topic or attempt a full mock test.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Take your prepared bag with ID, confirmation letter, and permitted stationery. Arrive at the venue with buffer time, well before the reporting time. Use the waiting period for calm breathing and a brief glance at your summary sheet, not for intense revision. Follow sign-in instructions, store prohibited items as directed, and locate the restrooms before you are seated.
Read the instructions and check the question count and time limit before starting. Work at a steady pace and note the time at which you should be roughly halfway through. Answer easier questions first if the format allows, and mark difficult ones to return to. Fill in answers as you go rather than leaving them to the end, and check that answer numbers align with question numbers. If you finish early, use the remaining time to verify marked questions and confirm no answers are blank, unless the test penalizes wrong answers, in which case follow the provider's guidance.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID used at registration; entry is normally refused without it. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether the name must match exactly.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Candidates arriving after the start time may be refused entry or given reduced time; the exact cutoff is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, or other electronic devices into the test room. Switch them off and store them where instructed; possession during the test can be treated as misconduct.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Talking, passing materials, looking at another candidate's work, or leaving the room without permission can lead to removal or cancellation of your result.
Breaks are usually limited and supervised, and may not be permitted within a timed section. Confirm with the provider whether toilet breaks stop the clock or are allowed only between sections.
Scoring rules vary: some tests penalize incorrect answers while others do not. Check the official instructions for your specific test before deciding whether to guess on unanswered questions.
Do not remove question papers, answer sheets, or any test materials from the room unless the provider explicitly permits it.
If you believe there was a disturbance or a problem with your test conditions, report it to the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's complaints procedure afterwards.