Concours Puissance Alpha exam-day guide
Concours Puissance Alpha · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / summons document
Print or download the convocation you received after registering. Check the exact address, reporting time, and session. If you have not received it, contact the organizing platform well before the test - do not assume the venue.
Valid identity document
Bring the original photo ID required by the convocation (national ID card or passport are the usual accepted documents). Check the exact list of accepted IDs on your convocation, since rules on expired documents vary. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Black ballpoint pens (several)
Most written competitive exams are answered on paper with black ink. Bring at least two or three working pens plus a spare; do not rely on a single pen.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet that must be filled in graphite. Confirm on the convocation whether pencil is allowed for the answer grid or only for scratch work.
Simple non-programmable calculator
Calculator policy differs by section and by year. Check your convocation and the official instructions: programmable or graphing calculators and some models may be banned. Confirm with the provider before relying on one.
Geometrical instruments
Ruler, compass, and protractor are commonly permitted for mathematics and physics items. Keep them in a clear pouch so invigilators can inspect them quickly.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many venues require all stationery to be visible in a transparent container. Avoid opaque pencil cases that could be refused at the door.
Water bottle and small snack
A clear, label-free water bottle is usually accepted. A snack is useful for a long session with a break; check whether food is allowed in the room and confirm with the provider.
Watch (non-connected)
A simple analog or digital watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches and connected devices are almost always prohibited.
Plan your route and arrival time
Rehearse the journey to the venue and aim to arrive well before the reporting time, allowing for transport delays and security checks. Late arrival may mean exclusion.
Leave connected devices behind or switched off
Phones and connected watches must be switched off and stored as instructed, often in a bag at the front of the room. Keep them out of your pockets during the test.
Read the official instructions once more
Re-read the rules on the convocation the evening before: duration, number of items, scoring, and what is forbidden. Note any item you are unsure about and confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-read the convocation, check the venue address and reporting time, and plan the route and transport. Print the convocation and prepare your ID. If anything is unclear - calculator policy, accepted ID, break rules - contact the organizing platform now rather than the day before.
Do light, targeted revision: review formula sheets, method summaries, and your own error log rather than starting new topics. Do one timed mini-session per subject to keep your pacing sharp, then stop.
Pack your bag: convocation, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, instruments, calculator if permitted, clear pouch, water, snack, watch. Lay out clothes and check the weather and transport timetable. Set two alarms.
Protect your sleep. Avoid intensive cramming late at night; a short review of key formulas and a calm evening is more valuable than a last-minute marathon. Eat a normal dinner and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a proper breakfast, leave early, and arrive ahead of the reporting time. Keep your phone off or stowed from the moment you enter the venue. Have your convocation and ID ready for checks at the door.
Read the instructions on the paper carefully, note the total duration, and allocate time per section. Answer the items you are sure of first, mark uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints rather than constantly. Fill the answer sheet as you go and leave time to check that every answer is recorded correctly.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document named on your convocation; a copy or photo on a phone is generally not accepted. If your ID is expired or lost, contact the provider immediately to find out what to do.
Arrive before the reporting time stated on the convocation. Candidates arriving after the start may be refused entry; the exact cutoff is set by the organizer, so confirm with the provider.
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Keeping a device on your person during the test is typically treated as a serious breach.
Only use equipment explicitly permitted on the convocation. Calculator models and rules on programmable or graphing calculators vary, so confirm with the provider before the test.
Follow invigilator instructions at all times and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Any suspected cheating is handled under the organizer's disciplinary procedure.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually restricted and supervised; check the rules for your session with the provider. Plan hydration and toilet visits around the stated break.
Scoring rules - such as whether wrong answers are penalized or items are weighted - are set by the organizer and published in the official instructions. Read them before the test rather than guessing.
Keep the answer sheet clean and complete: fill it in the required format, erase corrections fully, and make sure your identifying details are correct before handing it in.