IB Visual Arts SL exam-day guide
IB Visual Arts SL · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring photo ID and your exam/admission documents
Carry the same identification the school or exam centre used at registration, plus your candidate number or admission slip if one was issued. Exact ID requirements vary by centre - confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a digital copy is sufficient.
Bring your resolved, finalised portfolio files and a backup
For IB Visual Arts, the assessed work is typically submitted digitally as resolved artworks with process screenshots, so make sure your final files are exported, correctly named, and readable. Bring a copy on a second USB drive or in cloud storage. Confirm with the provider the exact file formats, size limits, and naming conventions required.
Bring process documentation and evidence of investigation
Have your process portfolio and comparative study materials ready if they are part of your submission or are needed for any interview or authentication step. Confirm with the provider whether these are submitted before exam day or brought in person.
Check file integrity on a different device
Open every image and document on a second computer or phone the night before to catch corrupt exports, wrong colour profiles, or missing files. This prevents last-minute scrambling if the exam centre's software behaves differently from your own.
Bring your own materials only if the centre permits them
If your exam session involves supervised practical work or a viva, ask in advance which materials are allowed. Many centres supply paper and basic media but restrict outside materials. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Know your timings, room, and arrival point
Write down the session start time, the latest arrival time, the room or studio number, and the contact point for the invigilator. Arrive early enough to set up without stress.
Prepare a short verbal summary of your work
If a discussion or interview is part of your assessment, be ready to explain your intentions, influences, and process in a few sentences per work. This is useful even if no discussion is scheduled, because it clarifies your own thinking.
Bring water, a snack, and any permitted medication
Practical sessions can run long. Keep food and drink away from artwork and check with the invigilator where they may be kept. Confirm with the provider whether medication or food breaks are allowed in the exam room.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smart watches, and other connected devices are usually banned from the exam room. If you need a device for viewing files, confirm with the provider in advance whether it is permitted and how it will be supervised.
Read the current subject guide and assessment criteria
Re-read the descriptors for the criteria that apply to your submitted components so you can sanity-check that your work addresses them. Do not rewrite work at the last minute; use the criteria to check completeness.
Confirm submission deadlines and upload procedure
If any component is uploaded electronically, confirm the exact deadline, time zone, and upload portal with the provider. Deadlines for digital submission can differ from the exam session date.
Plan your transport and a backup route
Check travel times, strikes, and weather the day before. Have a backup route and the centre's phone number saved.
Plan the day
Stop making major changes to resolved works. Export final files at the required resolution and format, name them according to the provider's instructions, and verify each file opens correctly. Gather process screenshots and any written commentary, and check that every required component is present. Re-read the assessment criteria and make a simple checklist of what you have submitted against what is required.
Do a full dry run: open every file on a second device, confirm the backup copy, and check the upload portal or submission instructions. Pack your ID, admission documents, backup drive, and any permitted materials. Confirm the arrival time, room, and travel plan. Get a full night's sleep rather than cramming; practical work rewards a clear head more than last-minute edits.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and set up your workspace calmly. Keep your ID and documents accessible. If a discussion or interview is scheduled, review your short summary of each work but avoid rehearsing a script. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions about timing, materials, and device use.
Follow the invigilator's instructions exactly. If the session involves supervised practical work, work steadily and protect wet or fragile pieces. If it involves a discussion, answer specifically about your own intentions and process rather than giving general art-history answers. If you notice a problem with files or equipment, raise it immediately with the invigilator rather than trying to fix it silently. Keep track of time and leave enough to tidy your workspace and secure your work.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID and your admission documents; confirm with the provider exactly which forms of ID are accepted and whether digital copies are allowed.
Follow all invigilator instructions about permitted materials, devices, and workspace setup; if you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask before the session starts rather than assuming.
Do not use phones, smart watches, or other connected devices in the exam room unless the provider has explicitly authorised them and explained how they will be supervised.
Breaks and access to food, drink, or medication are governed by centre rules; confirm with the provider in advance what is permitted and how to request a break.
All submitted work must be your own; do not present work by others as yours, and be prepared to explain your process if asked.
If a discussion or interview is part of your assessment, answer honestly about your own intentions and process; do not rely on memorised general answers.
Report any equipment failure, file problem, or disruption to the invigilator immediately and follow their instructions.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria for your components; confirm with the provider which criteria apply to your submission and how marks are allocated, and do not assume that extra volume of work automatically earns higher marks.