Mathematics Basic exam-day guide
Mathematics Basic · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or appointment confirmation
Print or download the confirmation the provider issued when you registered. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy on your phone is accepted, and whether you need a separate photo ID in addition.
Acceptable photo identification
Bring the exact ID type named in your registration terms (for example a passport or national ID card). Check that it is not expired and that the name matches your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a signature is required.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Mathematics Basic exams often restrict calculators to a specific type or ban them entirely. Confirm with the provider which models are allowed, whether the calculator's memory must be cleared, and whether the test center supplies one. Do not assume your usual calculator is permitted.
Permitted stationery
Bring several pencils or pens, an eraser, and a sharpener if allowed. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, graph paper, rulers, protractors, or formula sheets are provided or prohibited, since rules differ between paper and computer delivery.
Formula sheet or reference sheet status
Find out in advance whether a formula sheet is supplied on screen or on paper, or whether formulas must be memorized. This changes how you revise in the final days. Confirm with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Arrival time and location details
Note the exact address, building, and room, plus the arrival time stated in your confirmation, which is usually earlier than the start time. Plan the route and a backup route, and check local transport disruptions the day before.
Timing and section structure
Write down the total test time, the number of questions, and whether sections are separately timed or you can move freely between them. Confirm with the provider if your confirmation does not state this clearly.
Permitted personal items plan
Decide where your phone, watch, bag, and coat will go. Most providers require phones to be switched off and stored away from the desk. Confirm with the provider what storage is available and what is banned from the room.
Water, snack, and medication arrangements
Check whether drinks and snacks are allowed at the desk or only during breaks. If you need medication or an access arrangement, confirm approval with the provider well before test day and bring any authorization letter.
Rest and travel buffer
Plan a full night's sleep and leave a generous travel buffer. Arriving rushed is one of the most common avoidable causes of lost marks in the first section. Aim to be at the center well before the stated arrival time.
needs_review: Break policy and timing
Break rules vary widely between providers and between paper and computer delivery. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops, and whether you can leave the room. Do not plan on an unsupervised break unless it is confirmed.
needs_review: Materials policy for rough work
Rules on bringing your own paper, using provided booklets, and handing in rough work differ by center. Confirm with the provider before test day so you are not surprised at the desk.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Review your error log and the topics you most often get wrong, and redo a small set of representative problems under timed conditions. Confirm your registration details, ID, calculator permission, and travel plan with the provider if anything is unclear. Stop intensive study the evening before the test.
Pack your bag with the admission confirmation, ID, permitted calculator, and stationery. Recheck the address, arrival time, and route. Do a light review of formulas and key methods only, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid late caffeine, and go to bed at a reasonable hour rather than revising late.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Leave with more time than you think you need. At the center, follow staff instructions, store your phone and belongings as directed, and use any waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute cramming. Read the instructions on the paper or screen carefully before starting.
Check the number of pages or questions and the time available, then set a rough pace. If sections are separately timed, note the boundary times. Answer the questions you find easiest first to secure marks, and mark anything uncertain so you can return to it.
Show working for multi-step problems, since method marks may be awarded even when the final answer is wrong. Check units, rounding, and whether the question asks for an exact or decimal answer. If you are stuck, move on and come back. In the last few minutes, check that every question has an answer and that no answer is misplaced on the answer sheet.
Rules to check
Bring the photo ID specified in your registration and present it when asked. If your ID is expired, lost, or in a different name, contact the provider before test day; do not assume an alternative will be accepted.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, are typically banned from the desk and must be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider which devices are prohibited and what storage is provided.
Use only the calculator and stationery that the provider permits. If you are unsure whether a model or item is allowed, ask the provider in advance rather than risk confiscation or a misconduct finding.
Follow all instructions from invigilators, including seating, starting and stopping, and leaving the room. Talking, passing items, or looking at another candidate's work is normally treated as misconduct.
Do not attempt to bring in unauthorized notes, formula sheets, or recording devices, and do not attempt to photograph or copy test materials. Penalties can include cancellation of your result.
If you feel unwell, need the toilet, or have a problem with your equipment, raise your hand and speak to an invigilator; do not leave the room unannounced. Confirm with the provider in advance how such requests affect your time.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and may be reported as a scaled score rather than a raw mark. Check your confirmation or the provider's published information for how results are reported and when they are released.
If you believe there was a problem with the test conditions, report it to the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's published complaints or special consideration procedure afterwards.