Adjoint Technique Territorial exam-day guide
Adjoint Technique Territorial · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation letter (convocation)
Download and print the convocation you received after registration. It contains your candidate number, the exact address, and the reporting time. Confirm with the provider that a printed copy is required; some centres accept a digital version, but a paper copy is the safe default.
Valid photo ID
Bring the identity document named in your registration (national ID card or passport). Check that it is unexpired and that the name matches your registration exactly. If you have changed name or document, contact the provider before the exam day.
Black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written papers are typically completed in black ink. Bring two or three pens you have already tested, plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether correction fluid or erasable pens are allowed; when in doubt, do not use them.
Pencil, eraser and small sharpener
Useful for multiple-choice answer sheets and for rough work if scrap paper is provided. Keep them in a clear pencil case if transparent containers are required.
Non-programmable watch
Many centres do not provide a visible clock, and phones must be switched off and stored. A simple analogue watch lets you pace the sections. Smartwatches and connected devices are almost always prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle with label removed
Staying hydrated helps concentration on a long paper. Remove the label so invigilators can see the contents. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Small cash or payment card
For transport, parking, or a drink during the break. Do not rely on a phone payment app if phones are collected at the start.
Route and travel plan
Check the journey in advance and aim to arrive at the centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time. Identify a backup route in case of transport disruption.
Knowledge of the paper structure
Re-read the official exam description: number of questions, duration, whether there is a break, and whether specialities or options must be chosen. Confirm with the provider any point that is unclear, especially the choice of specialty for the oral or written option.
Phone switched off and stored
Plan to switch off your phone before entering the exam room and to leave it in the place designated by the invigilators. A ringing or vibrating device during the test can lead to disqualification; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
No prohibited documents or notes
Unless the convocation explicitly states that the test is open-book, leave all course notes, printed summaries, and annotated documents outside the room. Confirm with the provider what reference material, if any, is authorised.
Snack for the break (if a break is scheduled)
A long paper with a break benefits from a quick source of energy. Keep it small and quiet, and check with the provider whether food is permitted in the break area.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam description and your convocation. List the sections, the time allowed, and the scoring rules you will need to apply. Prepare a one-page summary of formulas, definitions, or legal references you tend to forget, and review it twice before the exam. Stop learning new material; consolidate what you already know.
Do one full timed rehearsal under exam conditions if you have not already done so. Use a past paper or a set of practice questions, respect the time limit, and mark your answers. Identify the two or three question types where you lose the most points and plan how to handle them on the day.
Check the practical details: travel route, parking, public transport times, and the exact address. Prepare your bag with the convocation, ID, pens, watch, and water bottle. Confirm with the provider any point that remains uncertain, such as authorised materials or the procedure for the break.
Do a light review only: your one-page summary and the structure of the paper. Do not start a new topic. Prepare clothes and food for the next day. Set two alarms and aim for a full night's sleep; fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of revision.
Eat a normal breakfast and avoid heavy or unfamiliar food. Leave home with enough margin to arrive 30 minutes early. Switch off your phone before entering the centre. Keep your convocation and ID in an accessible pocket so check-in is quick.
Follow the invigilators' instructions, present your convocation and ID, and sit where you are placed. Read the instructions on the cover of the paper before the start signal. Note the start and end times and the number of questions.
Skim the whole paper to identify the easy questions and the time-consuming ones. Allocate minutes per question or per section and write the plan on the cover if scrap paper is not provided. Start with questions you are confident about to secure marks early.
Watch your pace against your plan. If a question blocks you, mark it and move on; return only after completing the rest. For multiple-choice questions, answer every question unless the rules state that wrong answers are penalised; confirm the scoring rule with the provider. Leave five minutes at the end to check that every answer is recorded on the answer sheet and that your candidate number is correct.
Hand in all documents as instructed and leave the room quietly. Do not discuss the questions with other candidates in the centre. Note any incident (disruption, timing problem) and report it to the provider if it may have affected your performance.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document named in your registration and the convocation. Entry may be refused if the document is expired or if the name does not match the registration; if your situation is unusual, confirm the accepted documents with the provider before the exam day.
Arrive at the centre at the reporting time stated on the convocation. Late arrival may be refused or may cost you time; the exact tolerance is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Switch off all electronic devices before entering the exam room and store them where the invigilators instruct. Phones, smartwatches, and connected devices are generally prohibited at the desk; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Do not bring notes, course documents, or annotated material into the room unless the convocation explicitly authorises them. If the test is open-book, use only the documents listed in the official instructions.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not leave your seat without permission. Raise your hand if you need an invigilator.
If a break is scheduled, leave the room quietly and keep your convocation and ID with you. Do not discuss the questions with other candidates during the break; the rules on communication during breaks are set by the provider and should be confirmed beforehand.
Apply the scoring rule for unanswered or wrong answers that is stated in the official instructions. If you are unsure whether wrong answers are penalised, confirm with the provider before the exam; do not rely on habit or on what other candidates say.
If you believe a question is ambiguous or an incident affected your performance, note it and report it to the provider after the exam through the stated procedure. Do not attempt to resolve it with the invigilator during the test beyond asking for clarification of the instructions.