Bac SVT exam-day guide
Bac SVT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation individuelle
In France the convocation (summons) states your exam centre, room, and schedule. Print it or download it well in advance and confirm the exact address and entry time with your school or the académie (the local education authority). If you have not received it, ask your lycée immediately - do not assume a default time.
Photo ID (pièce d'identité avec photo)
Bring a valid photo ID (national ID card, passport, or residence permit). Check the expiry date. The exact list of accepted documents and whether a school card suffices must be confirmed with your exam centre - policies can vary by académie.
Black ballpoint pens (stylos à encre noire)
Bring at least two black ballpoint pens. Scripts are scanned and marked digitally in many académies, so black ink and clear handwriting matter. Avoid pencil for final answers unless a diagram explicitly calls for it.
Pencil, eraser, and ruler
A sharpened pencil and eraser are useful for drafts and for labelling diagrams (schemas) before committing to ink. A ruler helps draw clean axes and tables. Confirm whether any of these are restricted at your centre.
Coloured pencils
SVT answers often include annotated diagrams where colour helps distinguish structures (e.g., showing a reflex arc or a cell). A small set of coloured pencils is commonly allowed, but confirm locally whether they are permitted in your room.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require a transparent pencil case or no case at all. Pack only what you need and check the specific rule with your centre.
Simple non-programmable calculator
Some SVT exercises involve calculations (genetics ratios, population genetics, dilution). A basic non-programmable calculator is often allowed, but the permitted model list varies by épreuve - confirm with your teacher or the convocation. Do not bring a graphing or programmable calculator unless explicitly authorised.
Analogue watch
Phones are usually banned or collected, so bring a simple watch to pace yourself. Confirm that a watch is allowed in your centre.
Water bottle and a light snack
A clear, label-free water bottle is generally acceptable. Bring a small snack for before or after the session. Check centre rules on food and drink.
Review the official programme and your own notes
Re-read the official programme (programme officiel) for the SVT épreuve you are sitting (written and/or practical, depending on your series and status). Focus on the documented skills: analysing documents, interpreting results, drawing annotated diagrams, and structuring a reasoned argument.
Plan your route and arrival time
Do a dry run or check transport schedules. Arrive with a comfortable margin - late entry rules are strict and vary by centre, so confirm the cutoff time with your convocation.
Confirm the practical/ECE specifics
If you are sitting the Évaluation des Capacités Expérimentales (ECE) or a practical component, confirm with your teacher what equipment is provided and what, if anything, you must bring. Do not assume - practical logistics differ by centre.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Re-read your summary sheets for the major themes: genetics and evolution, the nervous and hormonal systems, immunity, and the geology/organism topics on your programme. Practise past paper exercises under timed conditions, focusing on the method: identify the question type (analyse, explain, deduce), extract evidence from documents, and write a structured answer. Review the annotation conventions for diagrams (titles, labels, scale).
Do one full timed mock under exam conditions: no notes, black pen, watch. Then mark it against the marking scheme and list your three weakest skills. Spend the rest of the day fixing those specific skills rather than re-reading everything. Check your convocation details, ID validity, and transport plan.
Light review only: skim your summary sheets and the method checklist (read the question, plan, answer in full sentences, use document evidence, conclude). Pack your bag with ID, convocation, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, coloured pencils, watch, water, and snack. Set out clothes and confirm your alarm. Eat a normal meal, avoid cramming late, and aim for a full night's sleep - performance on document-analysis tasks depends heavily on alertness.
Eat breakfast and arrive early at the centre. Leave phones and smart devices at home or switch them off and hand them in as instructed. Once seated, read the whole paper first, note the marks per question, and allocate time proportionally. Start with the questions you can answer confidently to build momentum, then return to harder ones.
For each question: underline the command word (analyser, expliquer, déduire, représenter), identify which documents are relevant, and write a short plan. Answer in complete sentences, cite specific evidence from the documents (quote figures, describe trends), and always link evidence back to the biological mechanism. Label every diagram with a title and full labels. Watch the clock: leave 10 minutes to check that every question is attempted and that your handwriting is legible. If a question is unclear, write what you do understand - partial credit is common.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID and your convocation. Accepted ID documents and the consequences of missing documents vary by centre - confirm with the provider before exam day.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, are generally prohibited in the exam room. Confirm the exact policy (surrender vs. ban) with your centre and comply strictly.
Follow the invigilators' instructions on seating, timing, and materials. Do not communicate with other candidates during the session. Breaks and toilet access are controlled by the invigilators - ask them, and confirm the centre's policy in advance.
Write only in the space provided on the official script and use the required ink colour. Do not write identifying information outside designated fields, as scripts may be anonymised for marking.
Use only permitted equipment. If you are unsure whether an item (calculator model, coloured pencils, correction fluid) is allowed, ask before the session - do not risk a sanction.
Scoring is based on the published marking scheme for the épreuve, rewarding correct method, use of document evidence, and clear reasoning, not just the final answer. Check the official weighting for your series with your teacher.
If you believe there is an error or incident during the exam, report it immediately to the invigilator and follow the centre's procedure. Confirm the appeal or incident-reporting process with the provider.