European Baccalaureate Language 1 exam-day guide
European Baccalaureate Language 1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification (passport or national ID card)
Bring the same ID document you registered with. If you are unsure which document your school or examination centre accepts, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Statement of entry or candidate number slip
Your school or centre issues your candidate number and seat details. Keep the slip with you; if you have not received one, ask your Language 1 teacher or the examinations coordinator. Exact formatting varies by centre, so confirm with the provider.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in ink unless your centre instructs otherwise. Bring spares; pencil is normally for diagrams or machine-read sheets only. Confirm any pen-colour rule with the provider.
Pencils, eraser and sharpener
Useful if any part of the paper uses a multiple-choice answer sheet. Do not assume a machine-read sheet is used; confirm with the provider.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require transparent storage so invigilators can check contents quickly. If your centre has no such rule, a plain case is fine.
Wristwatch (non-smart, no audible alarm)
Invigilators announce remaining time, but a simple watch helps you pace the reading, writing and checking phases. Smart watches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Hydration helps during a long written paper. Label-free bottles are commonly required; check your centre's rules.
Approved printed dictionary or thesaurus, if your centre permits one
Language 1 papers sometimes allow a monolingual dictionary. This varies by session and component, so confirm with the provider whether a dictionary is permitted and which editions qualify. Never bring an annotated or electronic dictionary unless explicitly allowed.
Confirm the exact start time, room and entry deadline
Arrive well before the stated start; centres typically close entry once the paper has begun. Verify the time and room with your school the day before, since schedules can differ from the general timetable.
Know which texts and works are examinable
For Language 1, the paper usually combines comprehension, language tasks and writing, sometimes linked to set works studied in class. Confirm the precise component structure and any set texts with your teacher, as these change between sessions.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or in the designated storage
Possession of a phone at the desk is normally treated as malpractice even if switched off. Confirm your centre's storage arrangements in advance.
Plan transport and a backup route
Build in a buffer for delays. If you are ill or cannot attend, contact your school immediately; the rules on missed papers and medical evidence must be confirmed with the provider.
Plan the day
Switch from broad revision to targeted practice. Re-read the assessment criteria for Language 1 writing tasks (content, organisation, language accuracy and range) and write one full timed response under exam conditions. Review your own recurring errors in grammar, spelling and register rather than learning new material. Confirm the room, start time and permitted equipment with your teacher or examinations coordinator.
Practise the reading and language sections: summarising an unseen text, identifying the author's stance, and manipulating vocabulary and syntax. Rehearse a short planning routine for the writing task (five minutes of planning, then drafting, then a focused check). Prepare your equipment bag and set aside the ID and candidate slip.
Do light revision only: skim your error log, key connectives, formal register phrases and a few model structures. Do not attempt a full past paper late in the day. Check transport, set two alarms, eat normally and sleep at your usual time. Confirm once more whether a dictionary is allowed and exactly what is permitted at your desk.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress in line with your centre's rules, and arrive early with ID, candidate slip and equipment. Hand in or store your phone before entering the room. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: check the number of questions, the marks available and any choice requirements before writing.
Read the whole paper or all the questions before starting. Allocate time in proportion to marks, and note the deadline for each section. For text-based tasks, identify the task type (summary, analysis, directed writing, essay) and the required register and format.
Work to your time plan and leave five to ten minutes for checking. In writing tasks, keep paragraphs purposeful, use varied sentence structures and precise vocabulary, and stay within the word limit if one is set. If you run out of time, write plan-style notes for remaining points rather than leaving a blank, since partial credit may be available; confirm the marking approach with the provider. Raise your hand quietly if you need an invigilator.
Check that every required question is answered, that your candidate number is written correctly, and that no answer is left in the margin or on rough paper that should be in the answer booklet. Cross out rough work clearly if instructed. Stop writing immediately when told.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification and place it on the desk if asked. Candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry or referred to the centre; the exact accepted documents must be confirmed with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions immediately, including on seating, silence and the start and end of the paper. Talking or communicating with other candidates during the examination is normally treated as malpractice.
Phones, smart watches, earbuds and other electronic devices must not be at your desk. Even switched-off devices can lead to a malpractice finding, so confirm the centre's storage rules in advance.
Use only permitted equipment. Dictionaries, calculators and other aids are allowed only if your centre's instructions for this component say so; confirm with the provider before relying on any aid.
Breaks are normally not permitted during a written paper, though supervised toilet visits may be arranged at the invigilator's discretion. Ask before the paper starts if you have a medical need, and confirm the centre's policy with the provider.
If you need to leave early, this is usually allowed only after a set portion of the paper and under supervision. Do not assume early departure is possible; confirm with the provider.
Any suspected irregularity, such as unauthorised material, plagiarism or communication, is reported and can lead to the loss of marks or disqualification from the component. The precise sanctions are set by the awarding body, so confirm the applicable rules with the provider.
Marks are awarded against published assessment criteria covering content, organisation and language accuracy and range. Word limits and task requirements are part of the assessment, so read the instructions on the paper itself rather than relying on memory.