Concours Commun ScPo exam-day guide
Concours Commun ScPo · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation letter
The Concours Commun IEP sends candidates an individual convocation listing the exam centre, room, and schedule. Print it and also keep a digital copy. If you have not received it, contact the organising IEP or the platform that manages your registration well before the exam; do not assume you can be admitted without it.
Identity document accepted by the exam centre
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration (typically a national identity card or passport). Photocopies and expired documents are usually refused. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether an expired ID with proof of renewal is tolerated.
Several black or blue ballpoint pens
Written papers are handwritten. Bring at least three pens you have already tested, plus a spare. Avoid gel pens that smudge and erasable ink, which can be rejected or fade. Pencil is for rough work only unless the instructions say otherwise.
Pencil, eraser, and a small sharpener
Useful for rough notes, planning essay outlines, and any multiple-choice answer sheet. Keep them in a clear pouch if the centre requires transparent containers.
A simple analogue watch
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones are usually banned at the desk. A basic non-connected watch lets you manage the time budget for each section. Smart watches and connected devices are generally prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle and a small snack
Long written sessions are tiring. Water is normally allowed if the label is removed and the bottle is transparent. A snack is for before or after the session, not during it, unless the centre says otherwise.
Printed summary sheets for last-minute review
Bring condensed revision notes: key dates, authors, concepts, and your essay templates. Review them outside the room before entry, then put them away. Do not bring loose notes to the desk.
Transport plan and backup route
Check the route to the centre in advance and add a large margin: aim to arrive well before the doors close. Identify a backup route and the nearest public transport. Late arrival rules vary, so confirm with the provider whether latecomers are admitted.
No phone at the desk
Phones must be switched off and stored as the centre instructs, usually in a bag at the front or outside the room. Keeping a phone on your person can be treated as fraud. Confirm the centre's storage arrangements with the provider.
Read the instructions on the paper before writing
Check the number of pages, the choice of subjects, the time allowed, and whether both a dissertation and a short answer are required. Note where your name or candidate number goes. Follow the exact format requested.
Prepare your candidate number in advance
You may need to write a candidate number on every sheet. Write it on your rough paper and check it before handing in. An illegible or wrong number can delay or invalidate marking.
Plan the return trip and rest
Do not schedule anything demanding right after the exam. Plan a calm return, eat properly, and rest before the next session if the concours spans several days.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, essay plans, and past mistakes. Rehearse the timing of each section with one full timed practice under exam conditions, then correct it carefully. Check the convocation, ID, transport, and accommodation. Sleep on a regular schedule and avoid all-night revision.
Pack your bag: convocation, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water, snacks, and notes. Re-read the format of each paper and the instructions on subject choice. Do a light review of key authors, dates, and concepts, then stop early. Locate the exam centre or confirm the route and travel time. Set two alarms and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a real breakfast and leave with a large time margin. Re-read only your condensed notes, not whole chapters. At the centre, follow signage, switch off your phone, and store your bag as instructed. Once seated, read the whole paper before choosing subjects, allocate time per section, and keep ten minutes at the end to proofread and check your candidate number.
Start with a short planning phase: identify the question type, define terms, and outline the argument before writing. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints rather than constantly. If you run out of ideas, move to the next section and return later. Write legibly, structure with clear paragraphs, and leave space for corrections. Do not leave the room early without checking every page and every required field.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document that matches your registration. Photocopies, digital copies, and documents belonging to someone else are not accepted. If your ID is lost or expired, contact the provider immediately to ask what to do; do not assume an exception will be made.
Arrive at the time stated on your convocation. Admission after the start of the paper depends on the centre's rules and is not guaranteed. Confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider before exam day.
Phones, connected watches, headphones, and any other electronic device must be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession of a device at the desk is generally treated as attempted fraud, whatever its use.
Only bring authorised material to the desk: pens, pencil, eraser, and a clear water bottle where permitted. Notes, textbooks, and dictionaries are normally prohibited unless the paper explicitly allows them. Confirm with the provider.
Follow the paper's instructions exactly: choose the required number of subjects, respect the format, and write your candidate number where asked. Work written outside the required format or on unauthorised sheets may not be marked.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually supervised and may not be allowed during the session. Ask the invigilators at the start if you need to know the arrangements; do not rely on leaving the room mid-paper.
Scoring rules, weightings between papers, and any penalty for spelling or presentation are set by the organising IEPs. Read the official notice for your session and confirm any unclear point with the provider rather than relying on rumour.
Any attempt to communicate with another candidate, exchange papers, or use unauthorised material can lead to exclusion from the concours. If you believe there is a problem with your paper or conditions, report it to the invigilator immediately rather than after the session.