FO Concours d'Admission exam-day guide
FO Concours d'Admission · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation or admission letter
Print the convocation you received after registering for the FO (fonctionnaire) admission competition, or keep the PDF on your phone as a backup. It usually states the session time, the address of the centre and the documents to present. If you have not received it, contact the organising administration well before the exam; do not assume a last-minute email will arrive.
Valid identity document
Bring the original photo ID that matches the name on your registration (national ID card, passport or residence permit). Check the expiry date now. Photocopies and expired documents are generally refused; if your only ID is expiring around the exam date, confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Proof of registration / payment if required
Some administrations ask for a receipt or a registration confirmation in addition to the convocation. Re-read your convocation to see whether this applies to your session, and confirm with the provider if anything is ambiguous.
Black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written papers and answer sheets are usually completed in black ink so they can be scanned. Bring two or three identical pens plus a spare refill. Avoid erasable ink and coloured pens unless the instructions explicitly allow them.
Pencil, eraser and small sharpener
Useful for multiple-choice answer sheets and for rough work. If the paper uses an OMR grid, fill bubbles with a black pen or pencil exactly as instructed on the sheet; confirm the required tool with the provider if the convocation does not say.
Wristwatch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones must usually be switched off and stored away. A simple analogue or digital watch lets you pace yourself. Smartwatches are normally treated as electronic devices and may be confiscated.
Transparent water bottle and a light snack
Staying hydrated helps concentration on long papers. Bring a clear bottle with no label and a snack you can eat quickly during authorised breaks. Check whether food and drink are allowed in the room; if unsure, confirm with the provider.
Printed route and arrival plan
Note the exact address, the nearest public transport stop and the door to use. Plan to arrive well before the convocation time, because identity checks and seating often take 30 to 60 minutes. Do a dry run the day before if the centre is unfamiliar.
No prohibited electronic devices
Leave connected watches, earbuds, phones and any other electronic device at home or switch them off and store them as instructed. Carrying them into the room can lead to disqualification even if you do not use them.
Small clear bag for personal items
Many centres require bags to be left at the entrance or under the chair. A small transparent bag keeps your ID, pens and convocation together and speeds up checks.
Review the paper's instructions and format
Re-read the official description of the tests: number of questions, duration, whether wrong answers are penalised, and the language of the paper. This is the single most useful preparation in the final days. Confirm the format with the provider if the official notice is unclear.
Emergency contact and transport backup
Save the centre's phone number and a taxi or rideshare app, and identify a backup route in case of a transport strike or delay. Arriving late may mean being refused entry; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm the practical details: re-read the convocation, verify the address and transport route, check that your ID is valid and that all required documents are printed. Prepare the bag with pens, pencil, eraser, watch and water bottle. Stop learning new material; instead, review your summary sheets, formula lists and the instructions for each test. Sleep on a normal schedule for the last three nights.
Do one timed mock under exam conditions: same duration, no phone, answer sheet filled as on the day. Then correct it and note only the two or three error patterns that cost you the most marks. Write a one-page plan for each test: time per question, when to skip, how long to keep for checking.
Do a light review of your summary sheets in the morning and stop by early afternoon. Prepare clothes, ID, convocation and pens by the door. Check the weather and transport disruptions. Eat a familiar meal, avoid alcohol and screens late in the evening, and go to bed at your usual time. Set two alarms.
Eat a normal breakfast, take the prepared bag and leave with a wide margin, aiming to be at the centre at least 45 to 60 minutes before the convocation time. Switch off your phone before entering. Locate your room, the toilets and the exit. Keep calm and avoid comparing notes with other candidates, which tends to raise anxiety.
Read the instructions on the cover page before starting and check the number of pages. Write your candidate number exactly as instructed. Do a first pass answering the questions you know, mark uncertain ones and return to them. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last 10 to 15 minutes to transfer answers and check that no question is left blank by accident. If you finish early, verify rather than leave.
Note down the questions you found hard while they are fresh, for your own review, but do not try to reconstruct the whole paper or discuss it at length with other candidates. Check the official calendar for results and the next stage, and confirm with the provider how and when results are published.
Rules to check
Identity and eligibility: present the original ID and convocation matching your registration. Candidates whose documents do not match or who arrive after the authorised entry time may be refused entry; the exact cut-off is set by the organising administration, so confirm it with the provider.
Electronic devices: phones, connected watches, earbuds and similar devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Using or even holding such a device during the test is normally treated as cheating and can lead to cancellation of the paper.
Silence and conduct: no communication with other candidates, no borrowing of material, no notes or documents other than those authorised. Raise your hand and wait for a invigilator if you need something.
Breaks and leaving the room: toilet breaks are usually limited and may be escorted. Candidates generally cannot leave and re-enter freely, and leaving before the end may forfeit the paper. Confirm the break policy for your centre with the provider.
Scoring and penalties: check in advance whether wrong answers are penalised, whether questions carry equal weight and whether there is a minimum score per test. These rules vary between competitions, so rely only on the official notice and confirm with the provider if it is not explicit.
Answer-sheet discipline: write your candidate number and fill the grid exactly as instructed. Answers written outside the designated area or on rough paper are normally not marked.
Integrity: any attempt to copy, use unauthorised material or impersonate another candidate is treated as fraud and can lead to disqualification from the competition and possible further consequences.
Instructions of the invigilators: follow all announcements and instructions from the staff. If an instruction seems unclear or conflicts with the written notice, ask before the test begins rather than assuming.