European Baccalaureate Art exam-day guide
European Baccalaureate Art · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Candidate identification documents
Bring the ID document(s) specified for your examination centre (commonly a passport or national identity card). The European Baccalaureate is administered by the European Schools, so exact ID requirements are set by your school or centre - confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photo is required.
Examination timetable and room allocation
Print or save the official timetable showing the date, start time, and room for the Art practical. Arrive with enough margin for security checks and settling in. Room allocations can change; check the noticeboard or school portal on the morning of the exam.
Art materials permitted by the syllabus
Bring the drawing and painting media you normally use (graphite, charcoal, pastels, watercolour, acrylics, brushes, palette, water container, rags). The European Baccalaureate Art practical typically expects candidates to supply their own materials; confirm with the provider which materials are supplied by the centre and which you must bring, and whether any medium is restricted.
Support surfaces and fixative
Bring a drawing board or clipboard if the centre does not provide one, plus masking tape or clips. If you use charcoal or pastel, bring a fixative spray only if permitted - some centres restrict aerosols for ventilation reasons. Confirm with the provider whether fixative may be used during the exam.
Prepared support(s) and sketchbook
If the task allows a prepared surface (stretched paper, toned ground, board), prepare it in advance and check the permitted dimensions. Bring your sketchbook or preparatory studies only if the regulations allow reference material; otherwise leave it at home. Confirm with the provider what reference material, if any, may be brought into the examination room.
Portfolio or preparatory work (if required)
Some Art practical assessments include submission or review of preparatory work. Confirm with the provider whether a portfolio must be handed in before, during, or after the practical, and in what format (physical folder, digital upload, labelled sheets).
Timer or watch
A simple wristwatch or silent timer helps you pace the timed practical. Phones are usually not permitted in the examination room, so do not rely on a phone as your clock. Confirm with the provider whether any electronic timing device is allowed.
Apron or old shirt and cleaning materials
Wear clothing that can get dirty or bring an apron. Bring paper towels or rags for cleaning brushes and hands. Check whether the centre provides sinks or water containers; if not, bring your own water pot and a sealable container for dirty water.
Water and a light snack
Practical art sessions can run for several hours. Bring a clear bottle of water and a snack if the centre permits food and drink at desks. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the examination room and whether breaks are scheduled.
Medical or access arrangements confirmation
If you have approved access arrangements (extra time, separate room, rest breaks, assistive equipment), bring the written confirmation and arrive early to speak to the invigilator. Confirm with the provider that your arrangements are recorded for this session.
Review the task instructions in advance
Re-read the Art syllabus and any pre-release material for the practical. Know the assessment criteria (e.g., observation, composition, technical control, personal response) so you can plan your time around what is actually marked. Confirm with the provider which criteria apply to your option.
Backup materials
Bring spare pencils, an extra brush or two, spare paper, and a second eraser. Running out of a key material mid-session is avoidable. Check that spare supports meet the permitted dimensions.
Plan the day
Confirm the exact start time, duration, room, and permitted materials with your teacher or examination centre. Read the task brief and assessment criteria carefully. Decide on your composition and medium, and make a small colour or tonal study so you are not improvising on the day. Prepare and, if allowed, tone or stretch your support. Pack your materials and check them against the checklist.
Do a timed dry run: set a timer for the planned working period and complete a reduced version of your intended composition. Identify where you lose time (e.g., overworking the background, hesitating over colour mixing). Adjust your plan so the final 20–30 minutes are reserved for finishing touches and clean-up. Restock any consumables.
Pack your bag with all materials, ID, timetable, and access-arrangement confirmation. Lay out clothes you can get dirty. Check transport to the centre and set two alarms. Avoid starting a completely new technique or medium the night before. Get a full night's sleep; practical work rewards steady hand and clear planning more than last-minute practice.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Go to the allocated room and listen to the invigilator's instructions. Set out your materials and support before the start signal. If anything is missing or unclear (e.g., water access, drying space, break rules), ask the invigilator before the clock starts.
Read the task once more and confirm the format and any options. Lightly plan your composition on the support or on a spare sheet if permitted. Check that your support is securely fixed and your water is ready. Do not rush into detail before the overall structure is set.
Work from large shapes to small detail. Keep an eye on the clock at natural stopping points. If you planned a break, take it only as the regulations allow; use it to step back and assess the work from a distance. Avoid major changes late in the session unless they are clearly needed for the assessment criteria.
Stop adding new elements. Strengthen the focal point, check values and edges, and make sure the work reads clearly from a distance. Clean brushes and hands, seal or cover wet work as instructed, and label your work if required. Leave the workspace tidy.
Hand in or leave your work exactly as instructed by the invigilator. Do not remove any examination material unless told you may. Check whether your portfolio or preparatory work must be submitted separately, and note the deadline. Confirm with the provider how and when results or feedback will be communicated.
Rules to check
Bring the identification required by your centre and place it on your desk if instructed. The exact ID policy is set by the European Schools; confirm with the provider which document is accepted and whether a photograph is mandatory.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on start and finish times, materials, and movement in the room. Do not begin work before the start signal or continue after the stop signal.
Use only materials and reference material permitted by the syllabus and the centre. If you are unsure whether a medium, fixative, or reference image is allowed, ask the invigilator before the session begins - do not assume.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, are normally not permitted in the examination room. Confirm with the provider whether any device (e.g., a silent timer) is allowed and where personal items must be stored.
Breaks, food, drink, and access to water or sinks are controlled by the centre. Confirm with the provider what is allowed during the practical and whether supervised rest breaks are available.
Work must be your own. Do not copy from other candidates, and do not bring in pre-made work and present it as produced during the examination unless the task explicitly permits prepared elements.
If you have approved access arrangements (extra time, separate room, assistive equipment), these must be confirmed in advance. Speak to the invigilator at the start of the session so the arrangements are applied correctly.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria for the Art practical, which may include observation, composition, technical control, and personal response. Confirm with the provider which criteria and weightings apply to your option, and how the practical contributes to your overall European Baccalaureate Art mark.