BTS SIO exam-day guide
BTS SIO · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation and valid ID
Bring the convocation (or its digital copy) and an official photo ID. Accepted ID types and whether a digital convocation is enough vary by exam centre - confirm with the provider/your establishment before the day.
Know your exact venue, room and arrival time
BTS SIO practical tests are usually held in the candidate's own lycée or an assigned centre. Re-check the address, building entrance and reporting time on the convocation; do not assume the room is the usual classroom.
Printed copies of your dossier and annexes
For the 'situation professionnelle' / project defence, bring the number of printed copies your establishment specifies (often one per examiner plus one for yourself). Ask your teachers how many and in what format.
Backup of your digital materials
Carry your presentation, source code, database dump and any demo files on a USB key and in cloud storage. Test that the files open on a machine that is not yours.
Working demo or screenshots
Prepare a runnable demo of your application and, as a fallback, a set of screenshots or a short screen recording in case the network, a server or the lab machine fails.
Personal notes / plan for the oral
A one-page outline of your project (context, need, solution, technologies, difficulties, what you would improve) helps you structure the defence. Check whether notes are allowed during the oral - rules differ by centre.
Water, snack and any medication
Practical sessions can be long. Bring water and a small snack if permitted in the room; bring prescribed medication and tell the invigilator if you may need it.
Check the software and versions you will use
Confirm which IDE, DBMS, browser and versions are installed at the centre. If you rely on a specific framework version, plan a fallback rather than assuming it is present.
Review the exam regulations and calculator policy
Re-read the rules on authorised materials, calculators, phones and connected devices. The exact list is set by the exam authority - confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Plan your travel and a backup route
Work out the journey, add a buffer for transport delays, and identify a backup route. Aim to arrive before the reporting time, not exactly at it.
Sleep, food and a calm start
A normal night's sleep and a proper meal matter more than last-minute cramming. Arrive early, read the instructions fully, and note the time allocated to each part.
Plan the day
Re-read the convocation and confirm venue, time and ID requirements. Export and print your dossier and annexes in the required number of copies. Run your demo end to end on a clean machine or a fresh browser profile, fix anything that breaks, and refresh your backups on USB and cloud. Rehearse the oral once, out loud, timed.
Do not start new topics. Revisit the parts of your project you understand least (a query, an authentication flow, a deployment step) so you can explain them. Practise reading and explaining your own code, since examiners often ask you to justify a choice or modify a small piece.
Pack your bag: ID, convocation, printed copies, USB key, water, medication. Charge devices and confirm your travel plan. Do a short, calm review of your one-page oral outline and the key technical concepts, then stop early. Check the weather and transport status the evening before.
Eat properly, leave with a buffer, and arrive before the reporting time. Present your ID and convocation, switch off and store your phone as instructed, and listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions on materials, timing and how to submit work.
Read the whole subject before starting. Note the marks per question and allocate time accordingly. Do the parts you can do confidently first, keep drafts and versions of your files, save often, and leave time to check that your deliverables are saved and submitted in the required format and location.
Introduce the context and the need briefly, then demonstrate the solution and justify your technical choices. Be honest about limitations and say what you would change. If a demo fails, stay calm, switch to screenshots and explain the architecture. Answer questions precisely; if you do not know, say so and reason aloud.
Rules to check
Bring the convocation and an official photo ID; the accepted documents and whether digital copies are allowed are set by the exam authority - confirm with the provider before the day.
Follow the centre's rules on phones, connected watches and other electronic devices; they are typically switched off and stored away from the desk, and unauthorised devices can lead to sanctions.
Only use authorised materials (notes, calculator, documentation, internet access). The permitted list differs between written and practical tests - confirm with the provider and your teachers.
Breaks, toilet visits and leaving the room early are governed by the invigilator; raise your hand and follow their instructions rather than leaving unannounced.
Work must be your own. Cite external sources and libraries you used, and do not copy another candidate's work or share files during the test.
Save and submit your deliverables exactly as instructed (file names, format, location, deadline). Work not saved or submitted in the required way may not be marked.
If you believe there is an error in the subject or a technical failure, report it immediately to the invigilator and ask for it to be recorded rather than trying to fix it silently.
Scoring and assessment criteria are set by the exam authority and your establishment; ask your teachers how the practical and oral parts are weighted rather than assuming a mark scheme.