CCSLC Integrated Science exam-day guide
CCSLC Integrated Science · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter / exam timetable printout
Bring the official document showing your candidate number, exam centre, and session times. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is accepted.
Valid photo ID
Carry the original ID specified by your school or exam centre (often a national ID card, passport, or school-issued candidate card). Check with the provider which forms are accepted and whether photocopies are allowed.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Most written science papers require dark ink for handwritten answers. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for diagrams or multiple-choice sheets.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for diagrams, graphs, and any machine-readable answer sheet. Keep them in a clear pouch if your centre requires transparent containers.
Ruler (30 cm, clear or marked in mm and cm)
Needed for drawing tables, axes, and measuring lines in practical-style questions. A clear ruler avoids suspicion of hidden notes.
Non-programmable calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are allowed; programmable or graphing calculators are often banned. If unsure, bring a basic non-programmable model and ask the invigilator before the paper starts.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be visible. Check the provider's stationery rules; if no rule is given, a clear bag is the safest choice.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at your desk. Remove labels before entering the hall if permitted.
Watch (non-smart, no audible alarm)
Exam halls may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch is usually acceptable, but smartwatches and phones must be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider.
Know your candidate number and centre code
Write them on your admission letter and memorise them. You may need to enter them on the answer booklet or multiple-choice sheet.
Plan transport and arrival time
Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before the start time to allow for ID checks and seating. Confirm the provider's late-arrival policy in advance.
Leave prohibited items at home or in a secure bag
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and unauthorised electronic devices are usually banned from the exam room. Confirm with the provider where bags and devices must be stored.
Plan the day
Review the syllabus checklist and your practical notes, focusing on core skills: using apparatus, recording data in tables, plotting graphs, identifying variables, and writing conclusions. Practise two or three past-style practical questions under timed conditions, but do not cram new topics. Check the exam centre location, transport, and session times. Prepare your stationery and ID in one place. Confirm with the provider any rules you are unsure about, such as calculator type, ID format, and whether clear pencil cases are required.
Pack your bag with the admission letter, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, calculator, clear pouch, water bottle, and watch. Re-read the exam timetable and centre instructions. Set out clothes and transport money. Avoid staying up late; sleep is more useful than last-minute revision. If you have a school contact or exam officer, confirm the arrival time and entry point. Do not attempt to memorise new material; instead, skim your summary sheet of formulae, units, and practical safety points.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Leave home with enough buffer for delays. Arrive early, switch off your phone and any smart device, and store them as directed. Have your ID and admission letter ready for inspection. Listen carefully to invigilator instructions. Once seated, check that your question paper and answer booklet are for the correct subject and level, and report any printing problems immediately. Fill in your candidate details before the start signal.
Read the instructions on the front of the paper and note the number of questions and marks. Allocate time according to marks; do not spend too long on one question. For practical-style questions, state the apparatus, describe the method step by step, identify independent and dependent variables, and include a control where relevant. Record data in a ruled table with units in the headings. When plotting graphs, label axes with quantity and unit, use a suitable scale, and draw a line of best fit. Show working for calculations and include units in final answers. If a question asks for a conclusion, link it to the data and the original hypothesis. Leave time to check that every question has been attempted and that your candidate details are correct.
Rules to check
Bring only permitted items into the exam room. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and unauthorised electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed by the invigilator. Confirm with the provider the exact list of prohibited items and where they must be kept.
Carry valid photo ID and your admission letter. You may be refused entry if you cannot prove your identity. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether late arrivals are admitted.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Do not start writing before the start signal and stop immediately when the end signal is given. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam.
Raise your hand if you need to leave the room for a toilet break; an invigilator will accompany or direct you. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed and whether extra time is granted for them.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the room. Any rough work must be done in the spaces provided or on paper supplied by the centre, and must be handed in if required.
Write your answers in the required format and medium. Use dark ink for handwritten answers unless the paper instructs otherwise; use pencil only for diagrams or machine-readable sheets where permitted. Confirm with the provider the rules for answer booklets and multiple-choice sheets.
Scoring is based on the marks shown on the paper. Show all working for calculations and include units; method marks may be awarded even if the final answer is wrong. Confirm with the provider the weighting of practical skills and the pass criteria.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper or your circumstances, tell the invigilator immediately. Do not wait until after the exam to report issues that could affect your performance.