UniQ Concours d'Admission exam-day guide
UniQ Concours d'Admission · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / exam summons
Print or download the convocation you received after registration. It normally shows the exam date, check-in time, room or address, and your candidate number. Verify the exact wording of the address against the provider's website the day before, since campuses sometimes change rooms. If you never received a convocation, contact the provider's admissions office immediately rather than assuming you can enter with only an email confirmation.
Valid photo ID
Bring the original identity document used at registration (national ID card or passport are the usual accepted forms). Check whether the provider requires the same document type you registered with, and whether a photocopy or a digital version is accepted - confirm with the provider. An expired document is a common reason for being refused entry, so check the expiry date now.
Black ballpoint pens (two or three)
Most written papers are answered on paper with black ink so that scripts can be scanned. Bring spares and test them at home. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed or required for any multiple-choice answer sheet, since the instruction differs between papers.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any answer grid that must be filled in pencil. Keep them in a clear pouch if the provider restricts what is on the desk.
Small clear water bottle with the label removed
Many venues allow a transparent bottle without a label; some do not allow any drink on the desk. Confirm with the provider. Staying hydrated matters more than usual in a long session, but avoid drinking large amounts just before the start to reduce disruption.
Watch (non-connected, silent)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones are usually collected or switched off. A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features lets you pace yourself. Smartwatches are typically treated as prohibited devices - confirm with the provider.
No phone, smartwatch, earbuds or connected device on your person
Devices are usually required to be switched off and left in a bag at the front or in a designated area. A phone vibrating in a pocket during the test is often treated as a serious irregularity regardless of intent. Decide now where your phone will be before you enter the room.
Transport plan with a backup
Work out the route to the venue in advance and add a buffer of at least 30 to 45 minutes for delays. Identify a second route or a taxi fallback. Aim to arrive before the stated check-in time rather than exactly at the start time, because identity checks and seating take time.
Snack and a light lunch for after the test
Sessions can run across a meal period. Bring something easy to eat for after the exam rather than relying on nearby shops you have not checked.
Venue and timing reconfirmed
Re-read the convocation and the provider's exam-day page the evening before. Check for last-minute messages about room changes or schedule adjustments. If anything is ambiguous - entry cutoff, allowed materials, calculator policy - confirm with the provider in writing before the day.
Calculator policy checked
Do not assume a calculator is permitted or prohibited. Confirm with the provider which model, if any, is allowed, and whether programmable or graphing models are excluded. Bring the permitted model with fresh batteries if one is authorised.
Review plan for the final hours
Prepare a one-page summary of formulas, definitions and method steps you tend to forget. This is what you read on the morning of the exam - not a new textbook chapter.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read your own summary sheets and error log, focusing on the topics where you lost the most marks in practice. Do one timed section under exam conditions to check your pacing, then correct it carefully. Confirm your transport route and the exact venue address, and check that your ID is valid and matches your registration. Prepare the bag with documents, pens and water so that nothing is left to the last morning.
Do a light review of high-yield definitions and method steps, then stop by early evening. Check the provider's exam-day page once for any update on rooms, schedule or permitted materials. If you have an unanswered question about rules - allowed calculator, ID type, entry cutoff - send it to the provider now rather than on the morning.
Lay out clothes, ID, convocation and stationery in one place. Charge nothing you will not be allowed to bring; instead, plan to leave devices at home or in a bag. Eat a normal meal at a normal time, avoid intense last-minute cramming, and set two alarms. Sleep is worth more than an extra hour of revision, because the paper tests speed and accuracy under time pressure.
Eat a proper breakfast and avoid excessive caffeine if you are prone to anxiety. Leave with a large buffer and arrive before the stated check-in time. Once seated, read the instructions on the cover page fully - number of questions, time allowed, whether there is a penalty for wrong answers, and where to write your candidate number. Fill in your identifying details before starting.
Scan the whole paper or the section structure to see how marks are distributed. Allocate time per section and write your target finish times down. Start with questions you can answer confidently to build momentum, and mark anything uncertain so you can return to it.
Work in passes: answer the straightforward questions first, then return to the harder ones. Keep an eye on your watch and respect your section limits rather than perfecting one answer. Show your reasoning where working is expected, since partial credit is common. If you are stuck, write down what you know and move on. Leave the last few minutes to check that every answer is recorded in the right place and that your candidate details are complete.
Check that you have not left a whole page or an answer grid section blank by accident. Hand in all materials as instructed and keep your convocation, since it may carry information about results. Write down anything you found difficult while it is fresh, as it will help if there is an oral or a second stage.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID used at registration and present it when asked. If your document has expired or your name differs from your registration, contact the provider before the exam day to resolve it; entry may otherwise be refused.
Arrive before the stated check-in time. There is usually a cutoff after which candidates are not admitted, and it is not always the scheduled start time. Confirm the exact cutoff with the provider.
Switch off phones and connected devices and store them as instructed, not on your person. Possession of a device during the test is commonly treated as a serious irregularity even if it was not used.
Bring only permitted materials onto the desk. Bags, notes, books and cases normally go to a designated area. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, confirm with the provider and leave it out if you cannot get an answer.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing, breaks and communication. Asking a question about the paper content is normally not allowed; questions about logistics should be raised by hand and quietly.
Breaks are usually limited and supervised, and may not be permitted in shorter sessions. Confirm the policy with the provider and plan fluid intake accordingly rather than assuming you can leave the room at will.
Scoring conventions - such as whether wrong answers carry a penalty, how partial credit is awarded, and what the pass mark is - are set by the provider. Read the cover-page instructions on the day and confirm anything unclear with the provider in advance rather than guessing.
Any irregularity, including talking, looking at another candidate's work, or using unauthorised material, can lead to invalidation of your paper. If something goes wrong in the room, report it to the invigilator immediately so it is on record.