KASNEB CA26 exam-day guide
KASNEB CA26 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document / examination card
Print the admission letter or examination card generated from your KASNEB portal account and keep a spare photocopy. Confirm with KASNEB whether a printed hard copy is mandatory at your centre, as rules on digital copies can change between sittings.
Original national ID or passport
Bring the original document whose number matches your exam registration. A copy, driving licence or student card is generally not accepted as a substitute; if your ID is lost, contact KASNEB before exam day rather than arriving without it.
Exam timetable and centre confirmation
Carry a printed copy showing your paper code, date, session time and centre name. Re-confirm the reporting time with KASNEB or your centre the week before, since session start times vary by sitting.
Non-programmable calculator
Bring a silent, non-programmable calculator with fresh batteries plus a spare set. Programmable, graphing or networked devices are normally prohibited; confirm the permitted specification with your invigilator or KASNEB if unsure.
Pens, pencil and basic geometry set
Two blue or black ballpoint pens, a pencil, eraser, sharpener and a short ruler. Answers written in pencil where ink is required may not be marked.
Transparent pencil case or pouch
Use a clear pouch so invigilators can inspect contents quickly. Opaque pencil cases may be refused at the desk.
Plain analogue watch
A non-smart wristwatch helps you pace yourself if the hall clock is not visible. Smart watches and fitness bands are treated as electronic devices and must not be worn.
Water and a light snack
Carry water in a clear bottle and a small snack for before or after the paper. Rules on bringing drinks to the desk vary by centre, so confirm with the invigilator on arrival.
Know your index number and seat allocation
Memorise your examination index number and check the seating list posted at the centre entrance so you are not searching for your desk after the doors close.
Transport and arrival plan
Plan to reach the centre at least 45 to 60 minutes before the reporting time, allowing for traffic and security checks. Late arrivals may be refused entry once the paper has started.
Plan the day
Re-read the syllabus weighting and your own summary notes rather than starting new topics. Do timed practice under exam conditions for the sections you habitually rush.
Print the admission letter and timetable, check every detail (paper code, date, session, centre address) and resolve any discrepancy with KASNEB immediately, not on exam day.
Do a physical reconnaissance of the route to the centre or confirm the location on a map, and decide how you will travel and at what time you will leave.
Assemble your stationery, ID and calculator in one bag, test the calculator, and set aside a small amount of cash for transport and emergencies.
Stop heavy revision by early evening. Light review of formulas, definitions and mnemonics only; no new material after that point.
Confirm your alarm, transport arrangement and expected journey time, lay out clothes and your exam bag, and charge nothing you cannot take in - leave devices behind.
Sleep a full night. Cramming overnight reliably costs more marks than it gains in recall and speed.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety, and arrive at the centre at least 45 to 60 minutes before the reporting time.
Locate your seat on the seating list, switch off and stow your phone out of reach, and place your ID and admission document on the desk for inspection.
Spend the first two to three minutes reading the instructions and rubric, then allocate time per question and per mark. Do the questions you are strongest on first if the paper allows a choice.
Show workings for computational questions - method marks are usually available even when the final figure is wrong. Leave the last five to ten minutes for checking arithmetic, question numbering and that all required answers are attempted.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document that matches your registration. Candidates who cannot prove identity may be refused entry or have their script queried; confirm the accepted documents with KASNEB in advance.
Mobile phones, smart watches, earpieces and any written or printed notes must not be taken into the examination room. Possession of unauthorised material is normally treated as an examination irregularity, whatever the intention.
Do not communicate with other candidates once you enter the hall, and do not borrow calculators, pens or paper from a neighbour. Raise your hand and wait for the invigilator.
Follow all invigilator instructions, including when to start writing, when to stop and when you may leave. Writing after the instruction to stop can lead to your script being penalised.
Toilet breaks are usually escorted, one candidate at a time, and lost time is generally not added back to your paper. Confirm the centre's practice on breaks and on leaving early before the paper begins.
Answer the number of questions the paper requires. Attempting extra questions gains no additional marks and wastes time that other answers need.
Marking and the pass standard are set by KASNEB and published in its examination regulations. Confirm the current pass mark and any carry-over or referral rules with KASNEB rather than relying on hearsay.
Any suspected malpractice may lead to disqualification from the paper or the whole examination. If you believe an irregularity has occurred during your sitting, report it to the invigilator and note the details immediately.