EAQE exam-day guide
EAQE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; do not assume a photocopy or digital ID will be accepted.
Confirmation / admission letter
Print or download the confirmation email showing your appointment time, test centre address, and any candidate number. If you were not issued one, confirm with the provider what documentation to present at check-in.
Know your exact appointment time and arrival window
Arrival and late-admission cut-offs vary by centre. Confirm with the provider how early you must arrive and what happens if you are late; plan to arrive with margin for transport delays.
Route and backup route to the test centre
Check the venue location the day before, including the building entrance and floor. Identify a backup transport option and a realistic buffer for traffic or rail disruption.
Permitted items only
Confirm with the provider what may be taken into the test room (for example tissues, medication, or a clear water bottle) and what must be stored. Leave valuables and unnecessary electronics at home.
Storage plan for phone and personal belongings
Most centres require phones to be switched off and stored outside the test room. Confirm with the provider whether secure storage is available or whether you should travel light.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Eat a normal meal before the test and bring water if permitted. Avoid unfamiliar food or excessive caffeine on test day; a short walk and fresh air before check-in is more useful than last-minute cramming.
Sleep schedule protected for the final two nights
Aim for your normal sleep duration rather than a short night plus cramming. Fatigue degrades reasoning and reading accuracy more than one extra hour of revision improves it.
Logistics for any accessibility or special arrangements
If you have approved adjustments (extra time, separate room, assistive equipment), confirm with the provider in advance that the centre has your approval on file and what to do on arrival.
Plan for breaks and the test-day routine
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, how long they are, and whether you may leave the room. Know in advance how you will use any break to reset rather than to review material.
A reliable watch or timing strategy
Confirm with the provider whether a watch is permitted in the test room and whether a clock is visible. Practise pacing with the same timing method you will use on the day.
Emergency contact and provider contact details
Save the provider's candidate services number and the venue's contact details in case of illness or travel failure. Confirm with the provider what evidence is required for a reschedule request.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Review your own error log, formula sheet, and summary notes only. Do two or three timed sections under exam conditions to confirm pacing, then switch to light review. Confirm your appointment time, venue, and ID requirements with the provider, and check transport schedules. Protect sleep from this point onward.
Pack your ID, confirmation, permitted items, and any approved adjustment documentation. Charge your phone and plan your route, including a backup. Do one short, confidence-building review pass over high-yield summaries and stop by early evening. Set two alarms and go to bed at your normal time. Do not attempt a full mock exam the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast, dress in layers so you can adapt to room temperature, and leave with more buffer than you think you need. Arrive within the provider's stated arrival window. At check-in, follow staff instructions, store your phone and belongings as directed, and use the waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute review.
Read the instructions and note the total time and any section boundaries. Do a quick first pass answering questions you can resolve confidently, flagging the rest, then return to flagged items. Watch the clock at planned checkpoints rather than continuously. If a question stalls you, mark your best answer and move on; never leave an item blank unless the format penalises wrong answers, which you should confirm with the provider in advance. Use any scheduled break to stand, drink water, and reset.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a second form of ID is required. Candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry and may forfeit the fee.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Do not communicate with other candidates once in the test room, do not look at others' screens or papers, and do not pass or share any materials during the test.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider where storage is located and what happens if a device is found in the test room.
Do not bring unauthorised notes, books, or written material into the test room. Confirm with the provider whether any reference material or calculator is permitted for this exam before you rely on it.
Stay for the full duration unless the provider's rules allow early departure. Confirm with the provider whether leaving during the test is permitted, whether breaks are supervised, and whether you can return to the room after a break.
Raise a hand and wait for an invigilator if you have a problem such as a faulty workstation, a broken pencil, or a medical issue. Do not attempt to fix equipment yourself or borrow items from other candidates.
Understand the scoring and pass rules before test day: confirm with the provider whether wrong answers are penalised, how sections are weighted, and when results are released. These details affect your guessing and pacing strategy.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible. Confirm with the provider the deadline and evidence required for a reschedule or refund; do not assume a missed appointment can be rebooked without cost.