KPG English exam-day guide
KPG English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly; if you have recently changed your name, ask in advance whether supporting documents are needed.
Confirmation email or appointment letter
Print it or save it offline on your phone. It usually carries your candidate number, test location or session link, and reporting time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Test-format logistics confirmed
Know in advance whether your sitting is paper-based, computer-based at a centre, or remote proctored. Each has different rules on personal items, room requirements, and technical checks. Confirm with the provider if anything in your booking is ambiguous.
Reporting time and travel plan
Arrive with a buffer for transport delays and security checks. For a centre test, check the building entrance and whether parking or public transport is realistic. For a remote test, plan to be logged in before the start time.
Permitted stationery only
Pack only what the provider allows, typically pens or pencils and an eraser for paper-based sittings. Do not assume highlighters, correction fluid, or your own paper are allowed; confirm with the provider.
Personal items left at home or stored
Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are normally not allowed at your desk. Expect to switch devices off and store them as instructed. Confirm with the provider how valuables are stored at your centre.
Water and a light snack for afterwards
Check the provider's policy on drinks at the desk before bringing anything into the room. Eating and drinking rules vary, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Rest and sleep plan for the night before
Protect sleep in the final 24 hours. Late-night cramming tends to cost more in focus than it gains in knowledge, especially for a long reading and writing paper.
Remote-test technical check (if applicable)
If you are testing online, run the platform's system check on the same device and network you will use, and confirm the camera, microphone, and browser requirements. Confirm with the provider which platform and version are required.
Backup plan for remote-test failure
Have a phone number or support channel for the invigilator or helpdesk, and a second network option such as a mobile hotspot. Confirm with the provider in advance what to do if the connection drops mid-test.
Timing strategy rehearsed
Know the number of sections, the time per section, and whether sections are separately timed. Practise allocating time to each task so you are not deciding this on the day.
Medical or access arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm in writing that they have been approved and will be in place. Confirm with the provider well before the test date.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Spend the time on a timed practice section under exam conditions, then review your errors to identify the two or three habits costing you most marks. Re-read the format guidance for each section so the structure of the day holds no surprises. Check your ID is valid and find your confirmation email. If you are testing remotely, run the full technical check now so there is time to fix any problem.
Do a lighter practice session focused on your weakest section, then stop. Confirm your travel route or your quiet room setup. Tell the people around you your test time so they do not disturb you. Prepare everything you are allowed to bring and put it in one place by the door. Check the provider's rules on personal items and drinks so you are not surprised at the door.
No new practice tests. Skim your own notes on recurring errors, then put them away. Set out your ID, confirmation, and permitted stationery. Charge your phone and any permitted device. Eat a normal meal at a normal time, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual hour. Set two alarms.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Re-check the reporting time and location or session link. Leave earlier than you think necessary. Avoid discussing content with other candidates before the test, as it can unsettle you and may breach conduct rules. For a remote test, log in early and complete any identity or room checks.
Read the instructions on the paper or screen before starting. Check the number of questions, the marks available, and whether there are separate time limits. Note the finish time and plan roughly how long each task should take. If something is unclear, ask an invigilator before the clock starts.
Work in the order that maximises marks: answer what you can do confidently first, and flag anything that needs a return visit. Keep an eye on the clock at natural checkpoints rather than constantly. If you get stuck, move on and come back. For writing tasks, leave a few minutes to check grammar, spelling, and that you have answered the actual question.
Stop writing when instructed. Make sure your name or candidate number is on every answer sheet or entered correctly on screen, and that any flagged items are resolved. Check you have submitted or handed in all materials before leaving.
Write down what felt difficult while it is fresh, as it is useful if you plan to retake. Do not try to reconstruct answers with other candidates in a way that breaches confidentiality rules. Note the stated results timeline and how results will be delivered.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document specified by the provider, with the name matching your registration. If your ID is expired, damaged, or in a different name, contact the provider before test day; do not assume you will be admitted.
Arrive or log in at the stated reporting time. Candidates who arrive late may be refused entry or given less time, and the exact cut-off is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance rather than relying on a general rule.
Keep to the permitted items list. Phones, smart watches, notes, and unauthorised materials must not be at your desk. Devices should be switched off and stored as instructed, not merely silenced.
Follow all invigilator and proctor instructions, including identity checks, room scans, and any request to show your workspace. Refusal to comply can lead to removal from the test.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not share or seek test content afterwards where the provider's confidentiality rules prohibit it.
Breaks are governed by the provider. Some sittings have no scheduled breaks and some allow supervised breaks only between sections, so confirm the policy before the day and plan hydration accordingly.
Scoring and results handling are set by the provider, including how sections are weighted, how long results take, and how they are reported. Check the official guidance for your booking rather than assuming a timeline.
If something goes wrong during the test, such as a technical failure or a disturbance, raise it immediately with the invigilator or proctor and note the time. Report it through the provider's stated channel as soon as possible afterwards.