DCG - Diplôme de Comptabilité et de Gestion exam-day guide
DCG - Diplôme de Comptabilité et de Gestion · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation (summons) and valid ID
Print or download the convocation you received after registering. Bring the original identity document named on it (national ID card, passport, or residence permit). The name must match exactly. If you have any doubt about which ID is accepted, confirm with the provider (your university or the exam centre) before the day.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written papers are handwritten. Bring two or three reliable ballpoint pens and a spare. Pencil and eraser are useful for rough work, but final answers must be in ink. Check the convocation for any pen-colour instruction; if none is stated, confirm with the provider.
Non-programmable calculator
Financial mathematics, management control, and accounting adjustments require calculation. Use a basic non-programmable calculator with no alphanumeric memory and no communication capability. Programmable or graphing models are generally refused. If your model's status is unclear, confirm with the provider.
No connected devices
Phones, smartwatches, earphones, and any connected device must be switched off and stored out of reach as instructed. Even a phone left on in a bag can be treated as fraud. Leave anything non-essential at home.
Small clear water bottle and a snack
Sessions can be long. A small transparent water bottle is usually allowed; a snack is useful for a break between papers. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are permitted in the room, as rules vary by centre.
Paper dictionary (if permitted)
Some centres allow a paper dictionary for non-native speakers. This is not universal. Confirm with the provider in advance and bring only an unannotated paper dictionary if authorised.
Check the centre location and travel time
Locate the exact building and room on the convocation. Do a route check the day before. Plan to arrive well before the start time; late entry is often refused once the paper has begun.
Review the paper structure and timing
Know the number of papers, their order, and the duration of each. The DCG is organised by unité d'enseignement (UE); confirm the exact schedule for your session on the official convocation or with the provider.
Bring a watch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue watch helps you allocate time across sections. Smartwatches are prohibited.
Sleep and logistics plan
Arrange accommodation near the centre if you live far away, and set two alarms. Fatigue is a bigger risk than last-minute revision on the final night.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read your own summary sheets for each UE, focusing on formulas (compound interest, annuity, variance analysis), the accounting cycle, and the structure of the written papers. Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions for your weakest UE, then mark it and note only the top three error patterns.
Print the convocation and check every detail: date, time, room, ID required, and any instructions on authorised materials. Contact the provider immediately if anything is missing or inconsistent.
Prepare your kit in one bag: convocation, ID, pens, calculator, watch, water, snack, dictionary if authorised. Test the calculator. Charge nothing that connects to a network; leave those devices at home.
Do a light review only: key formulas and the layout of each paper. Confirm your travel route and departure time, and check transport disruptions. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do not attempt an all-night revision session.
Eat breakfast, take your bag, and arrive at the centre with a comfortable margin (aim for at least 30 minutes early; confirm the centre's opening time with the provider). Switch off your phone before entering the building and store it as instructed.
Read the instructions and the whole paper before writing. Note the marks per question and the suggested time. Check that you have all pages. Write your candidate number and name exactly as instructed.
Work in order of confidence and marks. For numerical questions, show your workings: method marks are often available even when the final figure is wrong. Keep an eye on the clock and leave time for questions you skipped.
Check that every question has an answer, that your candidate details are correct, and that calculations are transcribed clearly. Do not leave early unless the rules allow it; use the time to verify.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document named on your convocation. A photocopy or a document with a different name is generally refused. If your ID is lost or expired, contact the provider before the exam to ask what alternative is accepted.
Arrive before the start time stated on the convocation. Candidates arriving after the paper has started may be refused entry; the exact cut-off is set by the centre, so confirm it with the provider.
Phones and all connected devices must be switched off and stored out of reach. Possession of a connected device during the test can be treated as fraud, regardless of whether it was used.
Only authorised materials are allowed on the desk: pens, a non-programmable calculator, and any document explicitly permitted on the convocation. Bags and notes go where the invigilator instructs.
Breaks are generally not permitted during a written paper; you may leave only if accompanied and usually not to return. Confirm the centre's policy on breaks and on medical needs with the provider in advance.
Scoring is by unité d'enseignement (UE). Marks are awarded for method as well as final answers, so show workings. The pass mark and compensation rules between UEs are set nationally; check the current official rules rather than relying on hearsay.
Any suspicion of fraud is reported and can lead to cancellation of the paper or a ban. Keep your eyes on your own work and do not communicate with other candidates during the test.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including on leaving the room and on what may be taken from the desk. If an instruction is unclear, raise your hand and ask.