Ellinomatheia B1 exam-day guide
Ellinomatheia B1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (passport or national ID card)
Bring the same document you used at registration. The name and spelling must match your registration record exactly. If your ID has changed since registration, contact the examination centre before test day; do not assume a different document will be accepted. Confirm the accepted ID types with your local examination centre.
Admission confirmation / registration slip
Print or save the confirmation email or registration document showing your candidate number, level (B1), and the exact venue. Some centres require the printed slip at the door, so bring a paper copy as well as a digital one.
Exact venue address and arrival time
Write down the building name, street address, and which entrance to use. Check the journey in advance and plan to arrive well before the stated reporting time, allowing for traffic and security checks. Arrival deadlines and late-entry rules vary by centre, so confirm them with the provider.
Black or blue pens (two or three)
Written sections are usually completed in ink, and answers written in pencil may not be accepted. Bring spare pens of the same type. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for any section.
Pencil and eraser (for multiple-choice or machine-read answer sheets)
If any part of the examination uses a separate answer sheet, you will usually need a pencil to fill it in. This is marked needs_review because the answer-sheet format can differ between examination sessions and centres.
Water in a transparent bottle
Label removed. Many centres allow water at the desk, but rules differ; check the provider's instructions and keep the bottle on the floor or desk edge as invigilators direct.
No smart devices or smartwatches
Leave smartwatches, fitness bands, and phones at home or switch them fully off and hand them in if the centre requires it. A device that vibrates or rings during the test can lead to disqualification, even if you were not using it.
Remove notes, labels, and loose papers
Do not bring revision notes, vocabulary lists, or loose paper into the examination room. Store bags where the invigilators instruct. Check pockets for folded notes before you enter.
Know the structure and section order
Be clear in advance about which sections come first (typically listening, then reading and language awareness, then writing, with the speaking test possibly on a separate day or slot). Knowing the order reduces anxiety and helps you pace yourself. Confirm the exact order and timing for your session with the provider.
Rest, food, and medication
Sleep well the night before and eat a normal meal. If you take regular medication, bring what you need and tell the invigilator if you may need to take it during the test. Do not try a new energy drink or heavy caffeine dose on the day.
Watched timepiece or awareness of the room clock
A simple analogue watch without smart features is usually acceptable. Do not rely on your phone for time. Ask the invigilator about clock visibility if you are seated far from the front.
Backup plan for the journey
Identify an alternative route and leave a contact number for the centre. If a delay happens, call the centre immediately rather than arriving late without warning. Whether late candidates are admitted is a centre decision, so confirm the policy in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue, reporting time, and the documents required by contacting the examination centre or checking your admission slip. Print the confirmation and ID copies. Re-read the official format description so you know exactly how many sections there are and how long each lasts.
Do light, targeted revision only: review your own error log, common B1 grammar points (verb tenses, articles, prepositions, comparatives, conditionals), and useful writing phrases for emails, letters, and short opinion pieces. Do not start new material or a new textbook at this stage.
Do one timed practice run under realistic conditions, ideally at the same time of day as your real test, and mark it honestly. Use the result to decide what to review in the final two days, not to panic.
Practise the speaking tasks aloud: describing a picture or situation, giving an opinion, and interacting with a partner or examiner. Record yourself and check fluency, pronunciation, and range of vocabulary. Prepare a few flexible phrases for asking for clarification and for buying thinking time.
Pack your bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencil and eraser if needed, transparent water bottle, and any permitted medication. Lay out clothes. Check the transport timetable and set two alarms.
Do a short review of your notes and writing templates, then stop. Avoid intensive study late at night. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a proper breakfast, drink water, and arrive at the venue early, allowing extra time for security checks and finding the room. Switch off your phone and put it away before entering the building if the centre requires it.
At the door, present your ID and admission slip, follow seating instructions, and check that your desk has what you need. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions about timing, answer sheets, and leaving the room.
Read the questions before each recording starts, note key words, and answer as you listen. Do not stop to dwell on a missed item; move on and keep pace with the recording, which is usually played once or a limited number of times. Confirm the number of playings with the provider.
Skim the texts first, then read the questions and scan for the relevant parts. Watch the time and leave a few minutes to transfer or check answers. Answer every item; there is usually no penalty for guessing on objective items, but confirm this.
Read the task carefully, note the required points and word limit, and spend a few minutes planning. Write clearly, leave space for corrections, and reserve time to check grammar, spelling, and whether you covered every bullet point.
Greet the examiner, speak clearly, and ask for repetition or clarification if needed. Develop your answers with reasons and examples instead of one-word replies, and interact politely if there is a partner. Keep going even after a mistake.
Note what felt difficult while it is fresh, but do not compare answers intensively with other candidates. Ask the centre about result publication dates and certificate collection if this was not already stated.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document accepted by the examination centre and keep it on your desk if instructed. If you cannot produce acceptable ID, the centre may refuse entry; confirm the accepted documents and the procedure for lost ID with the provider before test day.
Follow all invigilator instructions about seating, timing, and materials. Do not start writing before you are told and stop immediately when time is called; continuing to write after the signal can be treated as misconduct.
Do not use phones, smartwatches, or any unauthorised electronic device, and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Attempting to copy, share answers, or use hidden notes can lead to cancellation of your result.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually only permitted with permission and often only between sections or in an emergency. Confirm the centre's break policy in advance, especially if you have a medical need.
Speaking tests may be conducted individually or in pairs and may be scheduled on a different day or time from the written papers. Arrive for your assigned slot; confirm the schedule with the provider.
Results and certificates are issued by the examining body according to its own timetable and grading scheme. Ask the centre about publication dates, score reporting, and any appeal or re-mark procedure rather than relying on rumour.
If you have a disability or special need, request any permitted arrangements well before the test date. Whether extra time or separate accommodation is available is decided by the provider, so confirm it early and in writing.
Do not assume that a dictionary, notes, or a calculator is allowed. Check the permitted-materials list for each section with the provider, and leave anything not explicitly allowed outside the room.