IB Film SL exam-day guide
IB Film SL · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (passport or school-issued ID)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The name must match your registration exactly. If you are unsure which form of ID your school accepts, confirm with the provider or your IB coordinator before exam day.
Admission statement or exam timetable
Print or download the personalised timetable showing your session code, room, and start time. Your school may issue a separate admission slip; confirm with the provider if you have not received one.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in black or blue ink only. Pencil is typically reserved for diagrams or multiple-choice answer sheets; do not assume pencil is acceptable for written responses.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough notes or diagrams. Keep them in a clear pencil case if your school requires transparent containers.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Only plain water is usually permitted. No juice, no branded labels, and no bottle with text on it. Confirm with the provider if you need water for medical reasons.
Small, quiet analogue watch (optional)
Many exam rooms have a clock, but a wristwatch helps you pace long written papers. Smartwatches and phones are not allowed, even if switched off.
Tissues and any permitted medical items
Bring tissues in a plain pack. If you need medication, inhalers, or food for a diagnosed condition, arrange approval with your school's exam officer in advance.
Know your candidate number and session details
You may be asked to write your candidate number on every page. Memorise it or write it on a permitted document; do not rely on your phone.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or in the designated storage
Possession of a phone or smartwatch in the exam room is usually treated as malpractice, even if unused. Confirm your school's storage procedure with the provider.
Review the command terms and assessment structure
Re-read the command terms (describe, explain, analyse, evaluate, compare) and the mark allocation for each section. Know the paper's structure before you enter the room.
Plan your route and arrival time
Arrive at least 15–20 minutes early. Check transport disruptions the night before. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Confirm whether your exam is on-screen or paper-based
IB Film written assessment is typically paper-based, but your school may use a different mode for mocks or internal assessments. Confirm the format with the provider so you bring the right equipment.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Re-read your own notes on film language (mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound), narrative structure, and the prescribed film or text set. Make a one-page summary of key terms and examples you can recall under pressure.
Practise one timed response under exam conditions: choose a past-paper-style question, set a timer for the allocated minutes, and write a full answer without notes. Then mark it against the assessment criteria and note two specific improvements.
Check the exam timetable and room allocation. Confirm the start time, duration, and any permitted materials with your school's exam officer. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider now, not on the morning.
Pack your bag: ID, admission statement, pens, pencil, eraser, clear water bottle, watch, tissues. Put everything by the door. Charge nothing you cannot bring - leave your phone and smartwatch out of the bag.
Do a light review only: key terminology, film examples you know well, and the structure of your planned answers. Avoid cramming new films or quotes you have not used before.
Eat a normal meal, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep. Sleep consolidation matters more than one extra hour of revision.
Eat breakfast and drink water. Arrive at least 15–20 minutes early. Leave your phone and smartwatch at home or hand them to the designated staff member before entering the room.
Do not discuss content with other candidates outside the room. Last-minute panic comparisons raise anxiety and can create an unfair advantage or malpractice risk.
Read the whole paper first (2–3 minutes), note the mark allocation, and allocate time proportionally. A question worth 10 marks needs roughly twice the time of a 5-mark question.
For each response, underline the command term and plan three or four bullet points before writing. Use specific film examples with named sequences, not general statements.
Watch the clock at the halfway point and again with 10 minutes left. Use the final minutes to check that every question is attempted and that your candidate number is on every page.
If you need a toilet break, raise your hand and wait for an escort. Do not leave the room without permission. Confirm the break policy with the provider beforehand if you have a medical need.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID that matches your registration name. If you do not have acceptable ID, you may be refused entry; confirm the accepted forms with the provider before exam day.
Phones, smartwatches, and any wearable or audible device must not be in the exam room. Possession is typically treated as malpractice regardless of whether it was used.
Write in black or blue ink unless the paper explicitly permits pencil. Do not write in red or use correction fluid unless your school confirms it is allowed.
Do not communicate with other candidates once you enter the exam room, and do not discuss the paper with anyone until the exam has ended for all candidates worldwide.
Raise your hand for a toilet break; you will usually be escorted. Time lost is not added back. Confirm the break policy with the provider if you have a documented need.
Marks are awarded against the assessment criteria, not against other candidates. Answer the question asked, use film terminology precisely, and support every claim with a specific example.
If you arrive late, you may still be admitted at the discretion of the invigilator, but you will not receive extra time. Confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Malpractice - including bringing unauthorised notes, colluding, or sharing paper content online - can result in disqualification from the component or the whole qualification.