KPG French exam-day guide
KPG French · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact ID document the test centre requires. Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted (passport, national ID card, residence permit) and whether a photocopy is allowed. The name must match your registration exactly.
Admission confirmation / registration printout
Print or save the confirmation email with your test date, time, centre address, and candidate number. Some centres ask to see it at reception; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Know your exact arrival time
Arrival cut-off and late-entry policy vary by centre. Confirm with the provider how early you must arrive and whether you will be refused entry after a stated time.
Centre location and route planned
Check the address, building entrance, and nearest transport the day before. Large centres can have multiple entrances; note the one named on your confirmation.
Water and a light snack
Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at your desk or only during breaks. Keep packaging quiet if you are permitted to bring anything into the room.
No prohibited electronics
Phones, smart watches, and earbuds are normally collected or must be switched off and stored. Confirm with the provider where devices are kept and what happens if one is found on you.
Watch or timing strategy - needs_review
Some rooms have a visible clock and some do not, and wristwatches may be restricted. Confirm with the provider whether a plain analogue watch is permitted before relying on one.
Rest and sleep plan for the night before
Avoid last-minute cramming that shortens sleep. A rested candidate performs better on listening and reading sections that demand sustained attention.
Light warm-up only on the morning
Review a short list of personal error patterns, not new material. Skim familiar vocabulary and a few phrases rather than starting a fresh practice test.
Read the instructions for each section
Instructions are part of the test. Note the number of questions, the time limit, and whether answers can be changed after moving on.
Answer-transfer habit
If the test uses a separate answer sheet, practise transferring answers in blocks and check numbering. Confirm with the provider whether answers are recorded on paper or on screen.
Backup plan for delays
Note a second transport route and the centre phone number. If you are delayed, contact the centre immediately rather than arriving without warning.
Plan the day
Confirm the test date, start time, and centre address against your registration email. Check the provider's website for any change to entry rules, ID requirements, or prohibited items.
Plan the journey with a realistic buffer. Identify the exact entrance and, if possible, do a dry run or map the final walk from the station or car park.
Do one timed section under exam conditions, then stop full practice tests. Use the remaining days for targeted review of recurring mistakes in grammar, spelling, and listening traps.
Prepare documents and clothing. Put your ID and confirmation in one place, choose quiet clothing with no metal that could slow security checks, and check the weather forecast.
Re-read the format: number of sections, question types, and time limits. Write a one-page sheet of your own error patterns and read only that.
Set two alarms, charge your phone, and confirm transport times. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual hour rather than much earlier.
Eat a normal breakfast, leave earlier than the plan requires, and arrive at the centre before the stated cut-off. Keep your ID in your hand, not at the bottom of a bag.
Follow staff instructions for registration, ID checks, and storing belongings. Use the toilet before entering the room; confirm with the provider what break arrangements apply.
Read the instructions and check the question numbering and time limit. If something is unclear, raise your hand and ask before the section starts.
Read questions ahead of the audio where the format allows. Do not stop listening to write a long answer; note a keyword and complete it after the audio moves on.
Allocate time per task and keep a check on the clock. Leave a few minutes to transfer or review answers and to check spelling and agreement in written work.
Move on rather than spending too long on one item. Answer every question if there is no penalty for guessing; confirm with the provider whether unanswered items score zero.
Note which sections felt weak while the memory is fresh. Confirm with the provider when and how results are released and how to request a review if one exists.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document specified by the provider and make sure the name matches your registration. If your ID is lost or the name differs, contact the provider before test day; do not assume an alternative document will be accepted.
Arrive by the stated cut-off. Late arrival and refusal of entry are governed by the provider's rules, so confirm the exact policy rather than relying on a general assumption.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not look at another candidate's screen or paper.
Phones, smart watches, and other devices must be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider what is prohibited and the consequences of a device being found in the test room.
Breaks are usually limited and supervised, and may not be available in every section. Confirm with the provider whether you can leave the room, and expect that time lost does not extend the test.
Do not remove or copy test materials. Reproducing questions or sharing them after the test may breach the provider's confidentiality terms.
Scoring and result validity are set by the provider, including how sections are weighted and how long results remain valid. Check the official score scale and validity period rather than assuming a pass mark.
If you need adjustments for a disability or medical condition, request them well before test day. Confirm with the provider the deadline and the evidence required; adjustments are rarely granted on the day.