Concours Banque PT exam-day guide
Concours Banque PT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation (summons) printed or downloaded
Your convocation shows your candidate number, the address of your centre, the timetable and any instructions. Download it as soon as it is available on the registration platform; print at least one paper copy. If you have not received it, contact the concours organisation immediately - do not wait until the last days. Confirm with the provider how late you may access it.
Official photo ID valid on the exam day
Bring the original piece of identity document required by the concours (national identity card or passport are the usual accepted documents). Check that it has not expired. A photocopy is normally not accepted. If your ID is lost or expired, ask the concours organisation in advance what alternative is allowed; do not assume a receipt will be accepted.
Several black ballpoint pens and a pencil
Written papers are usually answered in black ink. Bring at least three working black pens plus a pencil and eraser for rough work or for any machine-readable answer sheet. Do not rely on a single pen. Confirm on the convocation whether blue ink is forbidden.
Non-programmable calculator
The Banque PT written papers include mathematics, physics and engineering sciences where a calculator is normally useful. Use a simple non-programmable, non-graphing calculator with fresh batteries. Programmable or graphing calculators are commonly banned; check the exact list of authorised models on the convocation or the concours website. If in doubt, bring the simplest model you own.
Simple geometric instruments
Ruler, set square, compass and protractor can be needed for mechanics, geometry or drawing-based questions. Bring them in a clear pencil case. Do not bring any instrument that stores text or formulas.
Wristwatch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A plain analogue or digital watch lets you manage the time without a phone. Smart watches and connected watches are almost always forbidden in the room; leave them at home or switch them off and put them away. Confirm the provider's rule on watches.
Water bottle and a small snack
Papers can last several hours. Bring a transparent water bottle with the label removed if required, and a snack to eat outside the room during a break. Check the convocation for what is allowed at your desk; some centres forbid any food in the room.
Know your route and arrival time
Locate your centre in advance and plan to arrive well before the opening time, typically at least 30 minutes early. Check public transport schedules for that specific day. Late arrivals may be refused once the paper has started; confirm the provider's cut-off rule rather than guessing.
Leave your phone and connected devices at home or switched off
Phones, earphones, smart watches and any connected device must not be in your possession during the test. Even switched off in a pocket, a phone can be treated as fraud. The safest option is not to bring it; otherwise leave it in the designated area if the centre provides one.
Read the convocation instructions the day before
Re-read the timetable, room assignment, allowed materials and any specific instructions for each paper. Note the exact start time of each session and the break between them. Requirements differ between written and oral phases; confirm with the provider for the oral phase.
Prepare for the oral phase in advance (if admissible)
If you are called to the oral examinations, check the convocation for the oral timetable, the subjects concerned and the documents to bring. The oral phase may take place in a different city. Confirm with the provider the exact list of documents and the rules for preparation time.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Save the concours organisation contact and the centre address on paper as well as on your phone. Identify a backup transport option in case of a strike or delay. If an incident prevents you from attending, contact the organisation as early as possible; the provider alone can tell you whether any re-sit is possible.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material and consolidate. Re-read your own formula sheets and corrected exercises for mathematics, physics and engineering sciences. Do one timed past paper under real conditions if you have not already done so, then correct it carefully. Check that your calculator works and that you have spare batteries. Print your convocation and check the centre address and transport route. Pack your bag with ID, convocation, pens, calculator and instruments. Sleep regular hours; do not sacrifice sleep for last-minute revision.
Confirm the exact timetable and room. Prepare your clothes and bag the night before. Re-read the convocation instructions, especially the list of forbidden items. Do a light review of key formulas only; avoid difficult new problems that could undermine your confidence. Eat a normal meal and go to bed early. Set two alarms. Check the weather and transport information for the morning.
Eat a real breakfast and leave with enough margin to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Carry your ID and convocation in an easily accessible place. Switch off your phone before entering the centre and put it away. Go to the toilet before the session starts. Once seated, listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions and fill in your candidate details exactly as on your convocation.
Read the whole paper briefly before starting, then allocate time per section according to the marks. Start with the questions you can handle confidently, but do not spend too long on one block. Write clearly and show your reasoning; partial credit is common in French concours. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last ten minutes to check your candidate number, the number of pages and any forgotten question. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; do not communicate with other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document and convocation required by the concours. Without them, the invigilator may refuse you entry; the exact accepted documents must be confirmed with the provider.
Arrive before the opening time stated on your convocation. Candidates arriving after the paper has started may be refused; the cut-off rule is set by the concours organisation and should be confirmed with the provider.
Phones, connected watches, earphones and any unauthorised electronic device must be switched off and out of reach during the test. Possession of such a device can be treated as fraud and lead to sanctions.
Only the materials listed on the convocation are allowed at your desk. Programmable or graphing calculators are commonly prohibited; check the authorised model list with the provider before the exam.
Breaks between papers are usually taken outside the examination room. Do not discuss the content of a paper with other candidates during a break if other candidates have not yet sat it; follow the invigilator's instructions.
During the test, do not communicate with other candidates, do not lend or borrow material, and raise your hand for any question. Leaving the room may be allowed only with an invigilator and may not be permitted in the final part of the session; confirm the local rule.
Scoring and marking are set by the concours jury. Do not assume that a blank answer scores zero in the same way as a wrong answer; check the official notice of the concours for the marking rules of each paper.
Any incident (illness, transport problem, lost ID) must be reported to the concours organisation as soon as possible. Only the provider can tell you whether an exceptional measure is possible; do not rely on informal advice.