Concours ECRICOME exam-day guide
Concours ECRICOME · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation and exam instructions
Print or download the convocation (convocation) issued with your registration and read the enclosed instructions carefully. It states the exact address, reporting time, and any material rules. If you have not received it, contact the school or the concours secretariat immediately; do not assume the venue. Confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Valid photo ID
Bring the identity document required by the convocation (typically a national ID card or passport). Check that it is unexpired and that the name matches your registration. Candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry; confirm the accepted documents with the provider if you are unsure.
Black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written papers are normally completed in black ink. Bring two or three reliable black ballpoint pens plus a spare, and test them beforehand. Avoid erasable or fountain pens unless the instructions explicitly allow them.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any machine-read or grid-based answer sheet. Keep them in a clear pouch if transparent containers are required.
Simple calculator (if permitted)
Some quantitative sections may allow a basic non-programmable calculator. Verify in the convocation whether calculators are authorized and which models are banned; do not bring a programmable or graphing model unless explicitly allowed. Confirm with the provider.
Wristwatch (non-connected)
Rooms do not always have a visible clock and phones are usually prohibited at the desk. A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace the sections. Smartwatches are normally forbidden.
No electronic devices at the desk
Switch off and stow your phone, smartwatch, and any connected device as instructed, usually in your bag away from the desk. A ringing or visible device can lead to disqualification. Follow the invigilator's instructions exactly.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Sessions can be long. Bring a transparent bottle of water and, if breaks are scheduled, a small snack to keep energy steady. Check whether food is allowed in the room.
Transport plan and arrival buffer
Plan your route in advance and aim to arrive well before the reporting time, allowing for delays. Late arrival may mean refused entry once the paper has started; confirm the lateness policy with the provider.
Know your candidate number and section order
Note your candidate number and the order and timing of the papers (for example mathematics, then general knowledge, then languages). Write a short personal timing plan for each section.
Rest and logistics the night before
Prepare your bag, clothes, and documents the evening before, set two alarms, and prioritize sleep over last-minute cramming.
Plan the day
Consolidate rather than explore. Re-read your own summaries and formula sheets, redo a few timed exercises per subject, and review your error log. Confirm the venue, travel time, and reporting time, and check the weather and transport disruptions. Stop introducing new material that you cannot consolidate.
Pack your bag with ID, convocation, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water, and snack. Lay out clothes. Do a light review of key formulas and structures only, then stop early. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy screens, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do not attempt a full mock test the night before.
Eat a proper breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with a generous buffer. Recheck that your ID and convocation are in your bag. On arrival, locate the room and restrooms, switch off your phone, and stay calm. Once seated, read the cover instructions and check the number of pages before starting.
Skim the whole paper first and allocate time per section according to marks. Start with questions you can handle confidently, then return to harder ones. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints and keep a few minutes at the end to check that every answer is transferred to the answer sheet and that your candidate details are filled in correctly. If a section is strictly timed and collected separately, respect the handover instructions exactly.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identity document and convocation required by the instructions; candidates who cannot prove identity may be excluded. Confirm the accepted documents with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Do not communicate with other candidates, exchange material, or look at another candidate's paper once the session has begun.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be switched off and stored away from the desk. Possession at the desk can be treated as cheating.
Do not bring unauthorized documents, notes, or programmable calculators into the room. Only material explicitly permitted by the convocation may be used.
Respect the timing of each paper. Do not write after the invigilator announces the end, and do not start a section before being told to begin.
Breaks and restroom visits are usually only allowed under invigilator supervision and may not be permitted during a timed section; confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Scoring and section weighting are set by the school and may include penalties for incorrect multiple-choice answers; check the official notice for the current rules rather than assuming.
Any suspected irregularity is reported and may lead to disqualification of the candidate and invalidation of the paper. If in doubt about a rule, ask the invigilator before acting.