GER Category 3 exam-day guide
GER Category 3 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second ID is required; do not assume a photocopy or expired document will be accepted.
Admission confirmation / appointment details
Have your booking confirmation, candidate number if issued, and the exact test centre address and reporting time available, ideally printed as well as on your phone. Confirm with the provider whether printed confirmation is mandatory.
Know the test format and section order in advance
Review the structure published by your provider (number of sections, question types, whether sections are timed separately, and whether you can move back and forth between questions) so you are not learning the interface on the day. Confirm with the provider if the current format is unclear.
Permitted items only
Assume nothing beyond ID and confirmation is allowed unless the provider states otherwise. Confirm with the provider the rules on phones, smart watches, notes, food, drink, and medication before the day, and ask about secure storage at the centre.
Plan your route and arrival buffer
Check the journey in advance, including transport disruptions, and aim to arrive ahead of your reporting time. Confirm with the provider the late-arrival cut-off and what happens if you miss it.
Rest and logistics the night before
Sleep, eat normally, and set two alarms. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material; a short review of your own summary notes is enough.
Know the break and timing rules
Find out in advance whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops during breaks, and whether you can leave and re-enter the room. Confirm with the provider, as these rules vary between centres and delivery modes.
Scoring and results expectations
Understand what score is reported, whether results are immediate or delayed, and how long they remain valid. Confirm with the provider the current reporting timeline and any pass mark that applies to your purpose.
Access arrangements, if relevant
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, these normally must be requested and approved before test day. Confirm with the provider the deadline and approval process; arrangements are rarely granted on the day.
Backup plan for technology or venue problems
If your test is delivered online or at a centre, know the provider's contact channel for technical issues and keep your phone reachable before check-in. Confirm with the provider what to do if the session cannot start.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate handbook and confirm the format, timing, permitted items, and ID requirements. Resolve any open questions with the provider now rather than on the day. Do one or two timed practice sets under exam conditions, then stop adding new material. Check your travel plan and the centre's location, and prepare everything you need to bring in one place.
Light review of your own notes and error log only. Confirm your reporting time and journey, charge devices, and set alarms. Prepare clothing in layers and a simple meal plan. Go to bed at a normal hour; do not attempt to learn new topics overnight.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate, but not excessively if breaks are limited. Arrive with your ID and confirmation, allowing a buffer for delays. At check-in, follow staff instructions, store prohibited items as directed, and ask about the timing and break rules if they were not explained. Do a brief warm-up of a few easy questions rather than a full mock.
Read each question fully and note what it is actually asking. Answer the questions you are confident about first if the format allows navigation, then return to harder ones. Watch the clock and allocate time according to the number of questions and marks. If a question stalls you, mark it and move on. Check that you have answered every question before submitting, and confirm any submission prompt carefully.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID required by the provider and present it at check-in. If your ID does not match your registration details, you may be refused entry; confirm with the provider how to correct a name discrepancy in advance.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the testing room, including phones, smart watches, notes, or earpieces. Follow the centre's storage instructions exactly; possession of a prohibited device during the test is commonly treated as misconduct.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and the on-screen directions. Do not communicate with other candidates, and do not attempt to record, photograph, or share test content; test materials are confidential.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait to be escorted. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are permitted and whether the timer continues to run.
Report any technical problem, distraction, or issue immediately to the invigilator rather than waiting until the end. Issues raised after the session are harder to resolve; confirm with the provider how to submit a formal report.
Understand how scoring works before you sit: whether questions are equally weighted, whether there is a penalty for guessing, and whether results are scaled. Confirm with the provider if your exam's scoring rules are not clearly published.
Do not rely on any specific pass mark, validity period, or retake rule from memory. Confirm with the provider, as these are set by the awarding body and can change.
If you are unwell or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible to ask about rescheduling or refunds. Confirm with the provider the deadline and any evidence required.