JC Graphics exam-day guide
JC Graphics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name matches your exam registration exactly. If your registration name differs (for example, a shortened first name), confirm with the provider before test day whether additional documentation is required.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your appointment time, test center or remote-proctoring link, and any candidate ID number. Test centers sometimes ask to see it at check-in.
Know your test format and section timings
Review the official structure for the JC Graphics practical exam you registered for: number of tasks, time per section, and whether work is submitted digitally, on paper, or both. Confirm the current format with the provider, since vocational and graphics certifications revise their practical formats periodically.
Approved drawing and layout tools
Pack pencils (HB and 2B), eraser, sharpener, ruler or scale, set square, and any tools the provider lists as permitted. Confirm with the provider which tools are supplied at the center versus which you must bring.
Digital file workflow rehearsed
If any portion is completed on a computer, practice saving and exporting in the exact file formats and naming conventions the brief requires (for example, vector source plus a PDF export). Verify export settings such as color mode, bleed, and resolution against the written instructions.
Color and print awareness
Know the difference between RGB and CMYK, when each applies, and how to set a document up for print (bleed, margins, resolution). This is commonly assessed in graphics practicals; check the provider's syllabus for the exact competencies tested.
Timekeeping device
A simple watch is safer than a phone, which may be prohibited or must be stowed. Confirm with the provider whether phones and smartwatches are allowed in the test room at all.
Water and a light snack
Bring these only if the provider permits them in the testing room; many centers require food and drink to stay in a designated area. Plan around scheduled breaks rather than assuming you can eat at your desk.
Transport and arrival plan
Confirm the test center address and arrive with a buffer before your reporting time. For remote-proctored sittings, test your camera, microphone, and connection the day before and confirm the required check-in window with the provider.
Read the candidate handbook
The provider's handbook is the authoritative source on permitted materials, submission rules, and scoring. Skim it in the final week; do not rely on forum posts or secondhand summaries.
Plan the day
Re-read the official brief and marking criteria if published. List every deliverable the exam requires and the format for each. Do one full timed rehearsal of a representative task, then review where time was lost: setup, drafting, exporting, or checking.
Prepare your tool kit and check every item against the provider's permitted-materials list. Charge devices, clear storage space, and update any software you will rely on now rather than on exam morning.
Confirm your appointment time, location or remote link, and ID requirements. Lay out ID, confirmation, tools, and clothing for the next day. Do a final light review of key concepts such as color modes, file formats, typography basics, and layout grids; stop studying early and sleep.
Eat a proper meal, arrive early, and avoid last-minute cramming that raises anxiety. At check-in, follow staff instructions, stow prohibited items, and read any on-screen or printed instructions in full before starting.
Read all instructions and the full brief before touching tools. Note the total time, divide it across tasks, and reserve a fixed block at the end for checking and exporting. If a task is unclear, ask the invigilator only questions the rules permit.
Work in a consistent order: set up the document correctly (dimensions, color mode, margins, bleed), build the layout, then refine typography and alignment. Save frequently and use versioned filenames if allowed. Keep an eye on the clock at each checkpoint rather than only at the end.
Stop designing and start verifying: check spelling, alignment, image resolution, color mode, and that every required file is exported with the correct name and format. Submit according to the stated procedure and confirm submission succeeded before leaving.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; expired or photocopied ID is typically refused. If your ID details differ from your registration, confirm with the provider in advance how to resolve it.
Follow the provider's permitted-materials list exactly. Unlisted notes, reference sheets, storage media, or communication devices may be treated as misconduct; if unsure whether an item is allowed, ask the provider before test day.
Phones and smartwatches are commonly prohibited in the testing room or must be powered off and stowed. Do not assume you can keep a device at your desk; confirm the policy with the provider.
Breaks are usually only at scheduled times, and leaving the room may be logged. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are permitted and whether the clock stops during them.
All submitted work must be your own and produced during the exam unless the brief explicitly allows prepared assets. Do not use templates, stock files, or third-party content that the rules exclude, and cite or credit anything the brief requires you to credit.
Scoring is based on the published marking criteria, which often reward correct technical setup and complete deliverables as much as visual polish. Read the criteria and make sure every required element is present and correctly formatted.
If equipment fails or you believe an instruction is ambiguous, raise it with the invigilator immediately and ask for it to be recorded; do not silently work around a problem that may affect your result.
Results, appeals, and rescheduling procedures are set by the provider. Confirm the relevant timelines and fees directly with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.