BTS Aéronautique exam-day guide
BTS Aéronautique · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation letter
Print or download the convocation sent by your académie or exam centre. It normally states the centre address, the session times and your candidate number. If you have not received it, contact your establishment or the rectorat of your académie well before the exam - do not assume a time.
Valid photo ID
Bring an official identity document with a photograph (national ID card, passport, or residence permit). Check that it has not expired. The exact list of accepted documents is set by the exam centre - confirm with your establishment or the académie which documents are accepted for your session.
Black ballpoint pens (spare)
Written papers are normally completed in black or blue ink; bring at least two pens of the same colour plus a spare, so a failing pen does not cost you minutes. Confirm the required ink colour with your teacher or the convocation.
Pencils, eraser, sharpener
Useful for diagrams, sketches and rough work in the technical and sciences papers. Keep rough work clearly separated from the final answer if the paper asks for it.
Ruler, graduated ruler and set square
Geometric and technical drawing tasks in the aéronautique programme (construction, reading of drawings, mechanics) often require precise measurement and tracing. A 30 cm ruler and a set square cover most needs.
Scientific calculator
Check the model against the rules for your session: in France, calculators with memory or communication capability are generally restricted, and some papers list authorised models. Confirm with your establishment which calculator is permitted before the day.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be visible in a transparent container. Pack only what the paper allows; anything not needed stays in your bag at the front of the room.
Wristwatch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones are forbidden at the desk. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity lets you manage time on each part of the paper.
Water bottle and small snack
A transparent bottle with no label is usually accepted; a snack helps during long sessions and between papers. Check whether food and drink are allowed in your room - confirm with the centre.
Know your route and arrival time
Locate the centre in advance, check transport disruptions, and plan to arrive well before the convocation time. Late arrival can lead to exclusion once the paper has started; the exact cut-off is set by the centre.
Read the paper instructions first
Before writing, check the number of pages, the marks per section, whether both sides of the booklet must be used, and any instruction about answer format or calculator use. Note the time allocation for each part.
Phone switched off and stored
Connected devices must be switched off and left in your bag in the designated area, never at the desk. Keeping a phone on your person during a paper is treated as fraud in most regulations - confirm the exact rule with your centre.
Plan the day
Re-read the programme framework and your own summary sheets rather than starting new topics. For BTS Aéronautique, prioritise the high-coefficient papers: the professional/technical subjects, mathematics and physics, and the expression and communication paper. Do one timed practice exercise per major subject to check your pace, then correct it against the mark scheme.
Check logistics: confirm the centre address, the session timetable and the duration of each paper from your convocation. Plan the journey, including a backup route, and note the earliest and latest acceptable arrival times. If anything on the convocation is unclear, contact your establishment now rather than the day before.
Prepare and test your equipment: calculator with fresh batteries, pens, ruler, set square, watch. Verify your ID is valid and in date. Pack the bag the day before so nothing is left to chance.
Do light revision only: formula sheets, unit conversions, standard notations, and the structure of the written expression exercise. Stop studying early enough to sleep properly; a full night is worth more than two extra hours of cramming.
Prepare clothes and food for the next day, charge nothing that must stay at home (phones stay off and in the bag), and set two alarms. Confirm the departure time with your transport option.
Eat a proper breakfast, take your ID, convocation and pencil case, and arrive at the centre with a comfortable margin. Switch the phone off before entering the building and store it as instructed.
Once seated, listen to the invigilator's instructions, fill in the identification fields on the answer booklet carefully, and check that you have every page of the paper. Ask the invigilator if a page is missing rather than trying to work around it.
Read the whole paper once, then allocate time by marks, not by habit. Start with the sections you can secure quickly, keep a few minutes at the end for checking units, significant figures and the clarity of your reasoning, and write down intermediate results so partial credit is possible.
For technical and calculation questions, state the formula, substitute with units, give the result with its unit, and add a short sentence of interpretation where relevant. Examiners award marks for method and justification, not only for the final number.
Stop writing when instructed, check that your name and candidate number are on every required page, hand in all documents, and take your belongings. Do not discuss the paper in the room or compare answers with neighbours on the way out.
Rules to check
Identity: you must present a valid photo ID and your convocation on request. Candidates who cannot prove their identity may be excluded from the session; the accepted documents are set by the exam centre, so confirm them with your establishment before the day.
Timing: you may not leave the room during the first part of the paper, and latecomers may be admitted only within a limit set by the centre, without extra time. Confirm these limits with the provider or your establishment.
Prohibited items: phones, connected watches and any communication or storage device must be switched off and stored away from the desk. Unauthorised documents or equipment at the desk are treated as fraud under the applicable regulation.
Fraud: copying, communicating with another candidate, or substituting another person is sanctioned under the national exam regulation; sanctions can include cancellation of the paper or a ban from future sessions. The exact procedure is defined by the applicable regulation and applied by the centre.
Breaks: toilet breaks are usually supervised and may be refused during the early part of a paper. There is no compensation for time lost; confirm the centre's practice with the invigilator at the start.
Scoring: marks are awarded for method, justification and correct units as well as for results, so show your reasoning and intermediate steps. The weighting of each part is indicated on the paper - read it before allocating your time.
Answer format: write in the ink colour and on the pages specified, number your answers clearly, and keep rough work separate. Work written in a prohibited colour or outside the designated area may not be marked.
End of the paper: stop writing immediately when instructed and hand in all documents, including rough paper if requested. Failure to comply can lead to the paper being cancelled - confirm the centre's instructions on the day.