PPC1 Litigation exam-day guide
PPC1 Litigation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name matches your registration exactly. A mismatched name or expired document is a common cause of being turned away. If you registered under a different name form (for example a maiden name or a shortened first name), confirm with the provider before test day how to reconcile it.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your candidate number, test location or remote-proctoring link, and start time. Some providers require the confirmation at check-in, so keep it accessible offline in case the venue has poor connectivity.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed for PPC1 Litigation and, if so, which models are approved and whether a supplied on-screen calculator is used instead. Do not assume; bring only what the rules permit, and remove any case, manual, or notes.
Permitted statute book or reference materials
Some litigation assessments permit specified unannotated materials. Confirm with the provider the exact list, edition, and whether tabs, highlighting, or loose inserts are allowed. Pre-tab only in a way the rules permit, and check whether annotations in your own handwriting are prohibited.
Transparent pencil case with pens and pencils
Bring several black or blue pens and at least two pencils plus an eraser and sharpener if the format is paper-based. Loose items in a clear pouch are usually accepted; confirm with the provider what containers are permitted.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Many venues allow a clear bottle with no label; others prohibit drinks at the desk. Confirm with the provider and check the venue's rules on food and drink, especially for longer sittings.
Plan for personal items and storage
Assume bags, phones, and smart watches must be stored away from the desk or left outside the room. Confirm with the provider whether secure storage is available or whether you should travel light. Phones must be switched off, not merely silenced.
Timing device that complies with the rules
A basic analogue watch is usually acceptable; smart watches and anything with communication capability are not. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is allowed at all, since some centres provide a visible clock and prohibit personal timepieces.
Route, parking, and arrival buffer
Rehearse the journey or test the remote-proctoring setup in advance. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time; confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and the cut-off after which you may be refused entry.
Rest and logistics plan for the 24 hours before
Protect sleep, eat normally, and avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Arrange transport, childcare, and any medication needs in advance, and confirm with the provider any rules about bringing medication into the test room.
Remote-proctoring environment check (if applicable)
If sitting remotely, confirm with the provider the platform, system requirements, webcam and microphone requirements, room-scan procedure, and permitted desk items. Test your connection and camera the day before and have a backup plan such as a phone hotspot.
Special arrangements confirmation
If you have approved adjustments such as extra time, a separate room, or rest breaks, confirm with the provider in writing that they are recorded on your booking. Bring the approval correspondence in case of query at check-in.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-read the provider's candidate instructions, verify the reporting time and venue or remote link, and check the permitted-materials list line by line. Resolve any uncertainty with the provider now rather than on the day. Then switch from learning new content to consolidating: review your own summary sheets on case management, costs, disclosure, evidence, and advocacy, and do one timed practice set under exam conditions to calibrate pace.
Do a final pass over the syllabus areas you are weakest on, but keep sessions short and active (self-testing, drafting skeleton answers) rather than passive re-reading. Prepare your bag or desk setup against the checklist, including ID, confirmation, pens, and any permitted materials. If sitting remotely, run a full technical rehearsal of the proctoring platform at the same time of day as your test.
Stop heavy study by early evening. Confirm transport or the remote setup once more, charge devices, and lay out clothes and materials. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not attempt to memorise new authorities or rules the night before; it displaces sleep and rarely improves performance. Re-read only your one-page timing plan and key structural reminders.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate modestly to avoid disruption. Arrive at the venue or log in early with a buffer for delays; complete ID checks and the room scan calmly. Use any waiting time for light review of your own summary sheet only, not for cramming new material. Switch your phone off and stow it as instructed before entering the room.
Read the instructions and check the total number of questions or tasks and the marks available. Note the finish time and compute a per-question or per-task time budget, leaving a reserve for review. Scan the paper or screen to identify the tasks you can do most efficiently, and read each question's command word (advise, draft, identify, explain) so you answer the actual question asked.
Work to your time budget and move on when a task overruns; flag it and return if time allows. Answer every question, since partial credit is usually available and blanks score nothing. For problem questions, state the issue, the applicable rule, its application to the facts, and a conclusion; for drafting tasks, use the correct document structure and formalities. Keep answers legible and clearly numbered, and reserve the final minutes to check that all questions are attempted and any answer-transfer step is complete.
Verify that every question has an answer and that numbering matches the paper. If answers are transferred to a separate sheet or system, confirm the transfer is complete and saved. Note anything you want to raise with the provider afterwards, such as a technical fault or a defective question, and report it promptly through the official channel rather than to other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider requires and present it at check-in without prompting. The name must match your registration; if it does not, resolve the discrepancy with the provider before test day, because centre staff generally cannot amend registrations on the spot.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted items precisely. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes or annotations are typically prohibited and can lead to confiscation or invalidation; if you are unsure whether an item is allowed, confirm with the provider in advance or leave it at home.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Candidates arriving after the cut-off may be refused entry or given reduced time, and the provider's policy on lateness varies, so confirm the exact rule with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.
Breaks are usually limited and may be taken only under supervision, with no materials or devices accessed. Confirm with the provider whether rest breaks are permitted, whether the clock stops, and how approved adjustments interact with breaks.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, do not attempt to view others' work, and do not remove or copy question materials. Suspected misconduct is typically investigated under the provider's disciplinary procedure, which can result in invalidation of the sitting.
Understand how the paper is scored before you start: check the mark allocation and whether there is negative marking or a pass mark, and confirm with the provider if the instructions are unclear. Allocate time in proportion to marks rather than to your interest in the topic.
If a technical fault, defective question, or disturbance occurs, note the time and details and report it to the invigilator or proctor immediately, then follow up with the provider in writing. Raising it during the sitting creates the best chance of a remedy such as extra time.
Keep your conduct and any post-test discussion within the provider's confidentiality rules. Do not share question content online or with later candidates; doing so can breach the candidate agreement and affect your result.