Czech Tourist Guide Qualification Exam exam-day guide
Czech Tourist Guide Qualification Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (občanský průkaz or passport)
Bring the original, valid photo ID. Some examining bodies also ask for a second document; confirm the accepted forms and whether a copy is enough with your provider (needs_review).
Registration confirmation / invitation to the exam
Printed or in your phone as backup. It usually carries the exam time, venue and your candidate number; check the details against the provider's latest e-mail (needs_review).
Proof of payment of the exam fee
A receipt or bank confirmation may be requested at check-in. Whether this is required is provider-specific - confirm in advance (needs_review).
Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
The practical part usually involves guiding a short route on foot, often outdoors and in front of the examiner. Dress neatly (you are being assessed as a guide) but prioritise comfort; add a rain jacket, hat and layers.
Water and a small snack
Sessions can run long and the walking part may take place in sun or cold. Keep it discreet and check whether drinking during the assessed commentary is permitted (needs_review).
Notebook and pen
Useful for the written/preparatory part and for jotting the examiner's instructions. Confirm whether your own paper materials are allowed into the exam room (needs_review).
Notes, route cards or a map - only if permitted
Many providers supply maps and forbid personal notes; others allow an outline. Ask explicitly what aids are permitted for the practical task (needs_review).
Watch or a charged phone kept silent
You may need to keep to a time limit during your commentary. Phones are normally switched off or silenced during assessment.
Public transport ticket or small change
If the practical route uses trams or the metro, have a valid ticket or a contactless card ready so the assessment is not interrupted.
Any certificates the provider requires (first aid, language, previous courses)
Bring originals only if your provider lists them as entry requirements. Check the requirement list in your registration documents (needs_review).
The exact meeting point, written down
Note the address, building entrance and room number, plus a backup phone contact for the organiser in case of delay.
Plan the day
Re-confirm date, time, venue and format in writing with the provider; re-read the syllabus and the assessment criteria so you know exactly what each part is worth. Check that your ID is valid and that any required certificates exist in original.
Walk or mentally rehearse your practice route: the stops, the order, the transitions between them and roughly how long each stop takes. Practise speaking the commentary aloud, standing up, without reading from notes.
Prepare and lay out clothing, shoes, rain gear, water, notebook and documents in one bag. Check transport connections to the venue for the exam morning.
Do a light review only: key dates, UNESCO sites, regions, main sightseeing highlights and a few standard guiding phrases. No new material, no all-night cramming.
Recharge phone and any devices, pack the bag, print the registration confirmation, set two alarms. Eat properly, avoid alcohol and get a full night's sleep - voice and stamina matter on the day.
Eat a proper breakfast, drink water, dress neatly and comfortably, and leave with enough margin to arrive at least 20–30 minutes early (confirm the provider's required arrival time - needs_review).
On arrival, locate the room or meeting point, switch the phone to silent or off, present your ID and confirmation at check-in, and use the waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute reading.
Listen to the full instruction before starting, ask a clarifying question if anything is unclear, then speak clearly and loudly enough for the back of the group. Structure your commentary: introduce the stop, give the key facts, add one interesting detail, then move on.
Keep an eye on the time limit, keep the group safe and together on the route, and stay in role as a guide. If you blank, pause, breathe and continue from the next point rather than apologising repeatedly.
Answer questions briefly and honestly; if you do not know, say so and offer where you would find out. At the end, thank the examiner, ask when and how results will be communicated, and hand back any borrowed materials.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID. Candidates who cannot identify themselves may be refused entry - confirm the exact identification policy with your provider in advance.
Arrive early. As a rule, being late for your assigned slot can mean you are not assessed; confirm the organiser's late-arrival policy in writing before the day.
Phones must be switched off or silenced and put away during the assessed parts. Do not record, photograph or consult anything unless the examiner explicitly allows it.
Use only the aids the provider permits (maps, route outlines, notes). If you are unsure whether something is allowed, ask before the assessment starts rather than during it.
The exam is normally conducted in Czech; a foreign-language version may be available only if you registered for it. Confirm the language of assessment with your provider.
Break and refreshment arrangements are set by the provider. Ask at check-in when breaks occur and whether water may be kept with you during the walking part.
Scoring and the pass mark are determined by the examining body, and typically both the theoretical and practical parts must be passed. Confirm the pass criteria and the retake/resit rules with your provider.
Conduct yourself as a working guide throughout: be punctual, courteous to the examiner and to any fellow candidates, do not prompt or assist other candidates during their assessment, and do not smoke or drink alcohol before or during the exam.