Sri Lanka Teachers' Service Efficiency Bar (EB) Exam exam-day guide
Sri Lanka Teachers' Service Efficiency Bar (EB) Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission card / hall ticket
Printed copy of the admission card issued by the Department of Examinations or the relevant provincial/zonal authority. Confirm with the provider whether a digital copy is accepted; carry a printed copy as a precaution.
National Identity Card or valid photo ID
Bring the original NIC (or passport/driving licence if explicitly permitted). The name and number must match the admission card. Confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted for this sitting.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or more)
Most answer scripts must be written in black or blue ink; corrections should be neat. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed only for diagrams or multiple-choice marking sheets.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any MCQ answer sheet that requires shading. Keep them in a clear pouch if transparent containers are required.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Halls may not have a visible clock. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited; a simple analogue or digital watch is safer. Confirm with the provider whether any watch is allowed.
Printed copy of the exam timetable and venue notice
Note the exact venue, hall, reporting time and paper sequence. Confirm with the provider if the venue has changed after the admission card was issued.
Water bottle and light snack
Only if the provider permits them in the hall; keep labels removed if transparent bottles are required. Confirm with the provider before bringing food.
Transport and backup plan
Plan to arrive well before the reporting time; identify a backup route and a contact number for the exam centre. Allow extra time for security checks and seat allocation.
Leave personal belongings at home or with a companion
Bags, notes, textbooks and electronic devices are usually not allowed at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether a secure holding area exists at the venue.
Review the instructions on the admission card
Read any special instructions about calculators, geometry instruments or language of answer. Confirm with the provider if the syllabus or paper structure for your subject has changed.
Check the medium of the paper
Confirm whether you are sitting the Sinhala, Tamil or English medium paper and whether bilingual question papers are provided. This should be stated on the admission card.
Medical certificate or special-needs approval (if applicable)
If you have an approved accommodation (extra time, separate room, scribe), carry the written approval. Confirm with the provider in advance how it will be implemented at the venue.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue, hall and reporting time from the admission card and official notice. Check transport options and travel time, and arrange to stay closer to the venue if the distance is long. Re-read the syllabus and the list of permitted materials, and set aside the documents you will carry.
Do a final content review focused on high-weight topics and common question types rather than new material. Practise one timed section under exam conditions to check your pacing, and note the marks per question so you can allocate time in the hall.
Pack the admission card, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, watch and any approved items in one place. Check the weather forecast and set two alarms. Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics; a light review of summaries and formula sheets is enough.
Confirm the reporting time and whether you must arrive earlier for registration. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine in the evening, and aim for a full night's sleep. If you must travel, keep the admission card and ID on your person, not in checked luggage.
Eat a light breakfast, dress comfortably in layers, and leave with enough margin to arrive at least 30 minutes before the reporting time. Carry only the permitted items; leave phones and notes with a companion or at home.
At the venue, locate your hall and seat, listen to the invigilator's instructions, and check that the question paper matches your subject and medium. Fill in the index number and other details exactly as on the admission card before you start writing.
Read the whole paper briefly, then allocate time by marks. Answer the questions you know best first, keep an eye on the clock, and leave time to check that every question has been attempted and the answer sheet is complete.
If you are unsure of a fact, move on and return later; do not leave blanks in structured questions where partial credit is possible. Write legibly, number answers clearly, and use rough work only in the space provided. Raise your hand quietly if you need a replacement pen or the invigilator.
Hand over the answer script and any answer sheets as instructed, and do not remove question papers unless the invigilator permits it. Note any question you found ambiguous and confirm with the provider if a clarification process is available.
Rules to check
Bring the original admission card and a valid photo ID; candidates without them may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which identity documents are accepted and whether a digital admission card is allowed.
Electronic devices, including mobile phones and smartwatches, are normally prohibited in the examination hall. Switch them off and leave them outside the hall as instructed; confirm with the provider where they may be stored.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, starting and stopping writing, and leaving the hall. Writing after the final instruction or before the start signal is usually treated as a violation.
Breaks are generally not permitted during a paper; if you need to leave the hall, you may be escorted and may not be given extra time. Confirm with the provider whether toilet breaks are allowed and how they are supervised.
Use only the materials permitted for your paper; calculators, geometry instruments or dictionaries may be restricted. Confirm with the provider which items are allowed for your subject before the exam day.
Write your index number and other details exactly as they appear on the admission card, and do not write your name or any identifying mark on the answer script unless instructed.
Marking and scoring are handled by the examining authority; results and any re-scrutiny process are announced through official channels. Confirm with the provider the timeline for results and the procedure for any review.
Any suspected irregularity, including possession of unauthorised notes or communication with another candidate, may lead to cancellation of the paper. Confirm with the provider the full list of prohibited items and conduct rules for this sitting.