Polstat STIS exam-day guide
Polstat STIS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; do not rely on a photocopy or a digital image.
Admission or registration confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, location or login link, and candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a screen copy is accepted.
Know your exact reporting time and venue
Re-check the time, time zone, building, room, and entry gate the day before. If the test is online, verify the platform link, login credentials, and any required browser or lockdown software.
Permitted stationery only
Pack exactly what the rules allow, typically pencils or pens and an eraser. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, a calculator, or a formula sheet is permitted, and whether the provider supplies them.
Calculator policy checked
Statistical work often needs a calculator. Confirm with the provider which models are allowed, whether a built-in on-screen calculator is provided, and whether programmable or graphing models are banned.
Watch or silent timer
A simple analog watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is out of view. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are allowed and whether smartwatches are prohibited.
Water and a light snack for breaks
Bring a closed bottle of water and a small snack in case a break is offered. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk or only outside the room.
Layered clothing
Test rooms vary in temperature. Dress in layers and avoid clothing with large logos or text. Confirm with the provider whether outer layers must be removed or stored.
Leave prohibited items at home or in storage
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, notes, and bags are normally banned from the desk. Confirm with the provider where these must be stored and what happens if they are found.
Plan the journey with a buffer
Arrive with time to spare for security checks and seating. Check transport disruptions the night before and identify a backup route. Confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge devices, prepare clothes and documents in one place, and get a full night of sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets for the core statistical topics: descriptive statistics, probability distributions, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression basics. Re-do a small set of representative practice questions under time pressure and note recurring error types rather than chasing new ones.
Confirm logistics: reporting time, venue or online link, ID requirements, permitted calculator and stationery, and break policy with the provider. Print or save the confirmation. Plan the route and a backup, and check the weather and transport notices.
Do a light review only: formula meanings, test-selection logic, and assumptions behind common procedures. Prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, stationery, calculator, water, and layers. Set alarms, charge devices, avoid alcohol and heavy meals, and sleep at your normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast, re-check the reporting time and route, and leave early with a buffer. Do not study new topics; skim only your one-page summary. Arrive calm, complete any security or ID checks, and locate the room and washroom before the start.
Read the instructions and confirm the number of questions, total time, and whether there is a penalty for wrong answers. Note the time you must stop. Scan the paper or screen briefly to gauge difficulty and plan your pace.
Work in passes: answer confident questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return later. Show working for calculation questions so partial credit is possible if it applies. Watch the clock at set checkpoints and keep an eye on the answer sheet or submission format. If a break is offered, use it to stand, hydrate, and reset.
Stop new questions with a few minutes left. Check that every answer is recorded in the correct place, that no flagged item is left blank if guessing is not penalized, and that your name and candidate details are correct. Submit or hand in as instructed.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID in your registered name and present it when asked. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if ID is missing or names do not match.
Follow all instructions from invigilators on seating, materials, and timing. Confirm with the provider the policy on late arrival, early departure, and whether you may leave during the test.
Keep phones, smartwatches, earbuds, notes, and bags out of reach as instructed. Confirm with the provider where prohibited items must be stored and the consequences of a breach.
Use only permitted calculators and stationery. Confirm with the provider the approved calculator list and whether scratch paper or formula sheets are supplied or banned.
Breaks, if any, are usually taken at set times and supervised. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops during them.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test or attempt to copy, share, or record questions. Such conduct is normally treated as misconduct and can lead to cancellation of results.
Scoring and penalties vary by sitting. Confirm with the provider whether wrong answers are penalized, how partial credit is awarded, and when and how results are released.
If equipment fails or you feel unwell, raise it immediately with the invigilator rather than continuing silently. Confirm with the provider the procedure for reporting incidents and requesting special consideration.