CAP Installateur Sanitaire exam-day guide
CAP Installateur Sanitaire · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation or exam authorization
Bring the convocation letter or email you received from the exam centre. It usually states the date, time, address, and any candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required; if unsure, print it.
Valid photo ID
Bring an official identity document with a photograph and signature (national ID card, passport, or residence permit). Check the name matches the one on your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether an expired document is refused.
Confirmation of practical test requirements
The CAP includes a professional practical test (épreuve professionnelle). Confirm with the provider or your training centre the exact equipment, materials, and personal protective equipment (PPE) you must supply yourself versus what the centre provides. This varies by centre and session.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Bring safety shoes, work gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection if the practical test involves pipe cutting, threading, soldering, or brazing. Confirm with the provider whether the centre supplies PPE or requires you to bring your own.
Hand tools permitted by the centre
Bring the hand tools you normally use (pipe wrench, adjustable wrench, deburring tool, tube cutter, screwdrivers, level, tape measure) only if the convocation or centre rules allow personal tools. Confirm with the provider; some centres provide all tools and prohibit bringing your own.
Calculator and writing materials
Bring a non-programmable calculator, pens, pencils, eraser, and a ruler for any written or calculation component. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are prohibited.
Watch (non-connected)
A simple wristwatch helps you manage time during the practical test if the workshop clock is not visible. Smartwatches and connected devices are usually prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Food, water, and medication
Practical tests can last several hours. Bring water and a snack if permitted, and any prescribed medication. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the test area and whether breaks are scheduled.
Travel plan and arrival time
Plan your route to the exam centre and aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the convocation time. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time after which entry may be refused.
Review of safety rules and workshop procedures
Re-read the safety instructions for the equipment you will use (soldering, brazing, cutting, pressure testing). The practical test is assessed partly on safe working practice, so know the lockout and fire-prevention steps.
Contact details of the exam centre
Save the phone number and address of the exam centre in case of transport problems or last-minute questions. Confirm with the provider whom to call on the day.
No prohibited items
Leave smartphones, smartwatches, and other connected devices in a bag or at home unless the centre allows them in a designated area. Confirm with the provider the policy on phones and personal belongings.
Plan the day
Re-read the convocation and confirm the address, start time, and list of authorised equipment. Check that your PPE and tools are complete and in working order. Rehearse the standard installation sequences you will be asked to perform: marking out, cutting and deburring, assembling with the specified jointing method, fixing, and pressure testing. Review the safety data sheets and safe-use instructions for solders, fluxes, and gases. Sleep on a normal schedule and avoid learning new techniques at this stage.
Pack your bag with the convocation, ID, PPE, permitted tools, calculator, and writing materials. Prepare your clothes (work trousers, safety shoes) and check the weather and transport schedule. Eat a normal meal and avoid alcohol. Set two alarms. Re-read only your own summary notes on safety and measurement; do not start new topics. Confirm with the provider if you have any doubt about what is allowed in the workshop.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre at least 30 minutes before the convocation time. Present your convocation and ID at reception. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions on workshop layout, machine use, emergency exits, and the time allowed. Check that the materials and tools provided are complete before starting. Ask the invigilator if a instruction is unclear; do not guess on safety matters.
Read the whole task before touching tools. Identify the assessment criteria: dimensions and tolerances, quality of joints, watertightness, compliance with the drawing, safe working, and housekeeping. Work in a logical order: prepare the work area, mark out, cut and prepare pipes, assemble, fix, test, then clean up. Measure twice and cut once. Keep your bench tidy and put tools back after use. Watch the clock and reserve the last 15–20 minutes for pressure testing, final checks, and tidying. If a tool or material is missing, tell the invigilator immediately rather than borrowing from another candidate.
Stop work when instructed. Leave the installation in the state requested by the invigilator (pressurised, drained, or dismantled). Clean your bench and return borrowed tools. Do not remove any centre equipment or materials. Hand in any written work or drawings as instructed. Leave the workshop calmly and quietly so other candidates are not disturbed.
Rules to check
Bring a valid photo ID and your convocation. Candidates without acceptable identification may be refused entry; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, especially on safety, machine use, and emergency procedures. Failure to follow safety rules can lead to exclusion from the test.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Do not use phones, smartwatches, or any connected device unless the centre has explicitly authorised a designated area for them. Confirm with the provider the policy on personal devices.
Use only the tools, materials, and PPE authorised by the centre. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask the invigilator before the test starts.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the practical test, but arrangements may exist for medical needs. Confirm with the provider in advance if you require a break or special accommodation.
The practical test is assessed on the finished work, on safe working practice, and on compliance with the drawing and technical instructions. Keep your work area tidy and your methods safe throughout, as these are part of the assessment.
If you arrive late, entry may be refused or your time may be reduced. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time and the policy on lateness.
Do not remove materials, tools, or documents from the exam centre. Any attempt to take assessment materials out may be treated as misconduct; confirm with the provider the exact rules on conduct and scoring.