CRE (Hong Kong Civil Service Exams) exam-day guide
CRE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a secondary ID is required; do not assume a photocopy or expired document will be accepted.
Admission or confirmation document
Carry the scheduling confirmation the provider sends you (printout or on your phone if permitted). Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory and whether phone access is allowed in the check-in area.
Know your test center route and arrival time
Reconfirm the address, entrance, and parking or transit plan 24 hours ahead. Ask the provider how early to arrive; many centers expect you well before the start to complete check-in and security.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator knowledge
CRE-style quantitative items require arithmetic, ratios, and unit conversions. Confirm with the provider whether a physical calculator is allowed, which models, and whether an on-screen calculator is provided. Practice with exactly that tool.
Reference material or formula sheet policy
Confirm with the provider whether any reference tables or formula sheets are supplied and whether you may bring your own. Do not plan to rely on outside material unless it is explicitly permitted.
Scratch paper and writing instrument policy
Confirm what is supplied versus what you may bring. If scratch paper is provided, note that it may be collected and that you may need to request replacements through the proctor.
Personal items plan
Plan for keys, wallet, phone, and bag to be stored as the provider directs. Confirm with the provider where phones must be during the test and the consequences of unauthorized possession.
Break and medication plan
If you need scheduled medication, food, or a restroom break, confirm with the provider in advance what accommodations or break rules apply. Do not assume unscheduled breaks are allowed or that the clock stops.
Review the published exam structure
Know the number of items, time limit, and whether sections are timed separately. Confirm with the provider; this determines your pacing strategy and whether you can return to flagged items.
Pacing rehearsal completed
In the final week, complete at least one timed set at the real length so you know your average minutes per item and your flag-and-move-on threshold.
Rest and logistics the night before
Protect sleep, avoid last-minute cramming of new topics, and set two alarms. Heavy new study the night before tends to cost more in focus than it gains.
Item-review contact and reporting plan
If an item appears defective or the center has a technical problem, note the time and details and ask the proctor for the incident-report process. Confirm with the provider how to raise issues after the test.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Do one full-length timed practice under exam conditions, then spend the remaining time on error review: for each miss, write the rule you violated (misread the stem, wrong unit, arithmetic slip, ignored a qualifier). Group errors by cause so you fix patterns rather than individual items. Confirm test center address, start time, ID requirements, and calculator policy with the provider if anything is unclear.
Build a one-page summary of the formulas, definitions, and conversion factors you actually use, in your own words. Rehearse the arithmetic you will do under time pressure: percentages, ratios, unit scaling, and rounding. Do short 20 to 30 item sets with strict timing to lock in pacing rather than long untimed sessions. Prepare clothes in layers, since room temperature is unpredictable, and pack your ID and confirmation document.
Do a light review of your one-page summary only. Walk or otherwise move for 20 to 30 minutes, eat a normal meal, and set out everything you will carry. Reconfirm the route and leave-by time, allowing buffer for traffic and check-in. Set alarms and aim for a full night of sleep; do not start a new topic or a fresh practice exam this late.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine to your usual amount so you are not jittery. Arrive earlier than the provider's stated minimum. Use the waiting time for a brief skim of your summary, not for new material. At check-in, follow ID and security instructions exactly, store personal items as directed, and ask the proctor about scratch paper, calculator, and break rules if you are unsure.
Read the instructions and note the time limit and item count. Before starting, write down your target pace: total minutes divided by item count, minus a reserve for review. Take a few slow breaths to settle, and start with a steady rhythm rather than rushing the first items.
Work in passes. On the first pass, answer items you can solve cleanly, flag anything that needs more than your target time, and move on. Watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely', 'except', and 'best', and check units before selecting. Use scratch paper for multi-step calculations and keep your setup legible so you can recheck quickly. On the second pass, return to flagged items with fresh eyes. If time is short, make a reasoned choice on every remaining item rather than leaving blanks, unless the provider's scoring penalizes incorrect answers, which you should confirm in advance.
Reserve the last few minutes to confirm no item is unanswered and that your selections match your intent. If a technical problem or a defective item occurs, note the time and details and ask the proctor for the incident-report process. After the test, write down the topics that felt weak while memory is fresh; use that list to plan any retake.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID in the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types and secondary documents are accepted before test day.
Follow all proctor instructions on personal items, phones, and permitted materials. Unauthorized materials or devices in the testing area can lead to dismissal or score cancellation; confirm the specific policy with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test. If you need assistance, raise your hand and wait for the proctor.
Ask in advance whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops during them, and what you may access. Do not assume unscheduled breaks are permitted; confirm with the provider.
Confirm the scoring rules, including whether incorrect answers are penalized and whether items can be flagged and revisited. Your guessing and review strategy depends on these rules.
If an item seems defective or the equipment fails, report it to the proctor immediately and note the time. Ask the provider afterward about the incident-report process; do not attempt to fix equipment yourself.
Do not attempt to record, photograph, or share exam content. Item content is confidential, and disclosure can result in score invalidation; confirm the exact confidentiality terms with the provider.
Arrive by the provider's stated check-in time. Late arrival may mean you are denied entry or given less time; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.