DTZ exam-day guide
DTZ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact identity document the test centre requires - usually a passport or national ID card. The name must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which document types are accepted and whether a second form of ID is needed; do not assume a driver's licence is sufficient.
Admission confirmation / registration printout
Print or save offline the confirmation email showing your test date, time, centre address and candidate number. Some centres ask to see it at reception. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a phone screen is accepted.
Arrival time and route plan
Work out the journey to the test centre in advance, including a backup route, and plan to arrive well before your start time. Late arrival can mean refusal of entry depending on the provider's rules, so confirm the cut-off with the provider.
Know the test format and section order
Re-read the official format description so you know how many sections there are, their order, and roughly how long each takes. This prevents surprises on the day and helps you pace yourself.
Permitted items only
Bring only what the provider allows into the test room. Phones, smart watches, notes and bags are normally stored outside the room. Confirm with the provider what is permitted and whether lockers are available.
Water and a light snack for breaks
If breaks are scheduled, plan a small snack and water for the break area. Check whether drinks are allowed at the desk or only outside the room - this varies by centre.
Sleep and nutrition the night before
Prioritise a normal night's sleep over last-minute cramming. Fatigue affects reading comprehension and listening accuracy far more than one extra hour of revision helps.
Review your weak-area notes only
In the final day, review concise notes on your known weak points rather than starting new material. New topics this late add anxiety without improving performance.
Prepare for the speaking/oral component if applicable
If your exam includes a spoken section, practise the task types aloud once or twice the day before so the format feels familiar. Confirm with the provider whether the oral part is on the same day or scheduled separately.
Plan the post-test day
Keep the evening after the test free of obligations. Avoid scheduling anything demanding immediately after a long exam so you can decompress.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidation. Do one or two timed practice sets under realistic conditions, then review errors carefully and note the pattern behind each mistake (misread question, vocabulary gap, time pressure). Confirm your test centre address, start time and ID requirements with the provider now so there is time to resolve problems. Stop heavy study by the evening before the test.
Do a light review of your weak-area notes and the official format description only. Prepare your bag: ID, confirmation, permitted items. Check the journey plan and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not attempt a full mock exam the day before - it drains energy you need on the day.
Eat a proper breakfast and limit caffeine to your normal amount so you are not jittery. Leave with generous margin for delays. Arrive at the centre early, use the restroom before check-in, and keep conversation with other candidates light - other people's last-minute panic is contagious. Once seated, take a few slow breaths and read the instructions carefully.
Follow the invigilator's instructions exactly. Read each question fully before answering; in multiple-choice sections, eliminate wrong options before choosing. Watch the clock but do not check it after every question - set mental checkpoints at the halfway mark. If a question is blocking you, mark it and move on, returning if time allows. For listening sections, focus on the next question as soon as audio moves on rather than dwelling on a missed item. If you need the restroom or feel unwell, raise your hand and ask the invigilator rather than leaving unannounced.
Note down which sections felt strong and weak while it is fresh - useful if you retake. Ask the invigilator or check the official information for how and when results are released. Do not try to reconstruct answers with other candidates in detail; it only increases anxiety and cannot change your score.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document specified by the provider and ensure the name matches your registration exactly. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day - being turned away for ID reasons is not usually appealable.
Arrive by the time stated in your admission details. Centres set their own cut-off for late arrivals and may refuse entry once the test has started. Confirm the exact policy with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.
Leave phones, smart watches, notes and bags outside the test room as instructed. Possession of unauthorised materials during the test can lead to invalidation of your result regardless of intent.
Follow all invigilator instructions and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. If you believe there is a problem with your equipment or environment, raise your hand immediately rather than waiting until the end.
Breaks are usually only at times set by the centre, and the clock may or may not stop during them. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, how long they are, and whether test time is paused.
If you feel unwell or need to leave the room, attract the invigilator's attention. Unsupervised absence from the test room may be treated as a conduct issue, so always ask first.
Scoring rules, pass marks and result validity periods are set by the examining body and can change. Check the current official information for your exam rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.
If something goes wrong on the day - a technical fault, a disturbance, or an ID dispute - ask the centre staff to record it and note the time and the name of the person you spoke to. Follow the provider's complaint or special-consideration procedure afterwards.