CAP Carrossier Automobile exam-day guide
CAP Carrossier Automobile · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation and ID documents
Bring the convocation notice sent by your exam centre together with a valid photo ID. The exact accepted ID types (national ID, passport, residence permit) are set by the centre, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is enough.
Confirmation of date, time and address
Re-read the convocation for the practical test location, reporting time and any access instructions (gate, workshop entrance, parking). Practical tests are often held in a workshop or training centre rather than the theory exam room; confirm the address with the provider if anything is ambiguous.
Personal protective equipment
Bring your own safety shoes and work clothing, and eye protection if you have it. Centres usually supply workshop equipment, but personal PPE is commonly the candidate's responsibility. Confirm with the provider what is supplied and what you must bring.
Hand tools you are used to
If the provider allows personal tools, bring a basic set you are comfortable with (hammer, dollies, spoons, sanding block, measuring tools). Do not rely on them being allowed: confirm with the provider whether personal tools may be used or only centre equipment.
Clean, short fingernails and tied-back hair
Practical assessment involves moving around a vehicle and using tools. Short nails, tied hair and no loose jewellery reduce snagging and are standard workshop safety practice. Remove rings and watches before handling body panels.
Read the assessment grid in advance
Ask the provider for the competency list or evaluation grid used on the day, if it is published. Knowing whether you are marked on preparation, panel alignment, welding quality, surface finish, safety and time management lets you allocate effort. If no grid is available, confirm the marking criteria with the provider.
Refresh the key techniques
In the last days, rehearse the operations you will most likely perform: panel removal and refitting, dent removal, MIG/MAG spot or seam welding on thin sheet, applying body filler, sanding sequences and masking. Practise on scrap sheet if you have access to a workshop.
Prepare a short verbal explanation
Examiners often ask you to explain your choices (why this filler, this grit, this welding parameter, this panel gap). Prepare concise French explanations of your method and safety precautions, since the exam is delivered in French.
Transport and timing plan
Plan the route and leave a margin for traffic and for finding the workshop bay. Arriving late can mean exclusion; confirm with the provider what the latest accepted arrival time is and what happens if you are delayed.
Food, water and a break plan
Practical tests can run long and are physically demanding. Bring water and a snack if the centre allows it, and ask the provider in advance whether breaks are scheduled or must be requested.
No phone in the work area
Phones must normally be switched off and stored away during the practical test. Confirm with the provider where to leave personal belongings, since workshop bays rarely have secure storage.
Review your weak points
Make a short list of the two or three operations you are least confident about and give them extra practice. On the day, work methodically rather than fast: clean preparation and correct safety habits usually score better than a rushed finish.
Plan the day
Confirm the exact address, reporting time and contact number with the provider. Check that your ID and convocation are valid and packed. Re-read the competency grid and list the operations you will rehearse. Do one full dry run of a typical repair sequence on scrap material if possible, timing yourself.
Practise the operations you are least confident about, focusing on technique and safety rather than speed. Check your PPE: safety shoes in good condition, work clothes clean, eye protection intact. Prepare your tools if personal tools are allowed.
Stop heavy practice and rest. Pack your bag: ID, convocation, PPE, tools, water. Prepare clothes and shoes by the door. Plan the route and transport, including a backup option. Set two alarms. Avoid late-night cramming; fatigue hurts fine motor work.
Eat a normal meal, review your short list of key points (safety rules, panel gap tolerances, filler mixing ratios, welding settings for thin sheet) for 20 to 30 minutes only, then stop. Confirm your departure time and expected arrival with a margin.
Eat breakfast, arrive early, and report at the stated time with your documents. Listen carefully to the examiner's briefing: it usually covers the task, time allowed, available equipment, safety rules and what to do in case of a problem. Ask clarifying questions before you start, not during the task.
Inspect the work area and vehicle, check tool condition and machine settings, and put on your PPE before touching anything. State your plan briefly if asked. Organise your bench so tools are within reach and scrap and waste have a place.
Work methodically: preparation, repair, finishing, cleanup. Respect safety rules at all times (eye protection when grinding, no gloves near rotating tools, ventilation when welding or using filler). Keep panel gaps and surface finish consistent. If you make a mistake, correct it calmly and note it; do not hide it.
Finish the operation in progress, clean the work area and tools, and store materials safely. A tidy bay and correct tool care are part of professional conduct and may be assessed. Check your work against the task sheet before declaring it finished.
Rules to check
Bring the convocation and a valid photo ID; the accepted document types are set by the centre, so confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and whether an expired document is refused.
Arrive at the reporting time stated on the convocation. Late arrival may lead to exclusion; confirm with the provider the latest accepted arrival time and the procedure if you are delayed.
Follow all workshop safety rules: PPE as instructed, eye protection for grinding and cutting, ventilation for welding and filler work, and no loose clothing or jewellery near rotating equipment.
Phones and connected devices must normally be switched off and stored away during the test. Confirm with the provider where belongings may be left and whether any device use is permitted.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not accept help on the task. Ask the examiner directly if something is unclear or if equipment is faulty.
Breaks are usually at the examiner's discretion. If you need to stop for a medical or personal reason, tell the examiner immediately; confirm with the provider in advance whether scheduled breaks exist and how time is handled.
Scoring is based on the published competency grid covering preparation, execution, quality of finish, safety and professional conduct. Ask the provider for the grid or marking criteria in advance if it is available.
If you believe an assessment condition was unfair (faulty equipment, unclear instructions), raise it calmly with the examiner at the time and ask the provider afterwards about the appeal or review procedure.