Psychometric Test (PET) exam-day guide
Psychometric Test (PET) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or appointment confirmation
Print or download the confirmation the test provider sent you and check the exact reporting time, venue or platform link, and any candidate number. If you have not received one, confirm with the provider how admission works before test day.
Acceptable photo identification
Bring the original ID document the provider specifies, usually a passport or national ID card, with a signature and photo. Check the name spelling matches your registration exactly; a mismatch is a common reason for being turned away. Confirm with the provider which documents they accept and whether photocopies are refused.
Knowledge of the test format and section timings
Know in advance how many sections there are, whether they are timed separately, and whether questions are multiple-choice, open-ended, or interactive. This is the single biggest reducer of day-of surprises.
Practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one full-length timed run so you know your pacing per section. Do not rely on untimed practice, because speed is part of what many psychometric tests measure.
Directions and travel plan or login and device check
For an in-person test, plan the route and arrive early. For a remote test, confirm the platform, browser, webcam and microphone requirements, and test your setup the day before. Confirm technical requirements with the provider rather than assuming.
Permitted items only
Find out what the provider allows into the test room. Many psychometric tests forbid notes, calculators, phones, and smart watches. Do not bring prohibited items and expect to keep them; confirm the rules with the provider.
Rest and normal routine the night before
Sleep at your usual time and avoid cramming new material late at night. Fatigue degrades attention and processing speed, which are exactly what many sections measure.
Water and a light snack for before or after
Stay hydrated and eat a normal meal beforehand. Check whether food and drink are allowed in the test room; if not, finish them before you enter.
Plan for breaks
Ask the provider in advance whether scheduled breaks exist, how long they are, and whether you may leave the room. Do not assume you can pause a timed section.
A calm pre-test routine
Have a short, practiced routine, such as slow breathing or a brief walk, to settle nerves before the first section. Use it consistently in practice so it feels familiar.
Contact details for the test centre or support line
Save the provider's contact number or support channel in case of travel delay, illness, or a technical failure during a remote test. Confirm with the provider how to report a problem on the day.
Realistic expectations about preparation
Understand that familiarisation and pacing practice help most; last-minute cramming of content rarely does. Treat the test as a measure of current ability under standard conditions.
Plan the day
Do one or two timed practice sections rather than a marathon. Review your pacing: note where you lost time and decide a per-question time budget. Re-read the provider's candidate information for format, rules, and what to bring, and confirm any unclear points with the provider. Stop heavy practice at least a day before so your mind is fresh.
Confirm logistics: reporting time, venue or link, travel, and ID. For a remote test, run a full technical check of device, browser, camera, microphone, and internet, and clear your desk of anything not permitted. Lay out clothes, ID, and confirmation in one place. Avoid new practice material; if you review anything, skim your own notes on pacing and strategy. Go to bed at your normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate. Re-check the reporting time and leave with buffer for delays. Arrive early or log in early as instructed. Do a short settling routine, keep your ID and confirmation accessible, and avoid last-minute discussions with other candidates that could raise anxiety. Use the toilet before the test starts.
Read instructions for each section carefully before the timer starts. Work at a steady pace and do not get stuck on one item; if the format allows, mark it and move on. Watch the clock but do not check it after every question. If a section is strictly timed, treat the end of the section as final. Use scheduled breaks only as permitted, and report any technical or procedural problem to the invigilator or support line immediately rather than later.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID the provider specifies and ensure the name matches your registration; if you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator or platform proctor. If you do not understand an instruction, ask before the timed section begins rather than guessing.
Do not use unauthorised aids such as phones, smart watches, notes, or calculators unless the provider explicitly permits them. Rules vary by test, so confirm with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share, record, or reproduce test content afterwards; most providers treat this as misconduct.
Breaks are usually only those scheduled by the provider. Do not assume you can pause a timed section; confirm the break policy with the provider in advance.
Scoring is typically based on your responses under standard conditions, and some tests apply time limits or penalties for incorrect answers. Confirm the scoring and guessing rules with the provider rather than assuming.
If illness, a technical failure, or another problem affects your test, report it to the invigilator or support line at the time and follow the provider's process for documenting it.
Arrive or log in at the stated time. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or that you lose time from your test; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy in advance.