LGCSE Fashion & Textiles (0191) exam-day guide
LGCSE Fashion & Textiles (0191) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission statement and photo ID
Bring the entry document your centre issued (admission statement or timetable slip) together with a valid photo ID such as a passport or national ID card. Exact ID requirements vary by centre, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a school-issued ID is enough.
Candidate number and centre number
Write these on your hand in pencil or keep them on a small card. You must enter them on the front of every answer booklet, practical work sheet, and any coursework or portfolio label. Mixing them up is one of the most common avoidable administrative errors.
Black ballpoint pens and spares
Bring at least three black ballpoint pens. Use black ink for written answers and for your name and candidate details; do not use gel pens, erasable ink, or pencil for final written responses unless the paper instructs it.
Pencils, sharpener, and eraser
You will need these for design sketches, pattern-drafting diagrams, and labelled drawings. Keep a soft pencil (HB or 2B) for shading and a harder one for fine construction lines.
Colouring equipment
Bring coloured pencils, fine-liner pens, or a small watercolour set if your centre allows them in the practical room. Colour work is often used to show fabric colourways, texture, and print ideas. Confirm with the provider which media are permitted and whether any wet media are excluded.
Ruler, set square, and measuring tape
A 30 cm ruler, a set square, and a flexible tape measure support pattern-drafting, technical drawing, and seam or hem measurement tasks. Clear or metal rulers are usually safer than tinted ones.
Scissors, pins, needles, and thread
Bring fabric scissors and small embroidery or trimming scissors, plus a pin cushion, hand-sewing needles, and a small selection of thread colours. If the exam provides a standard tool kit, confirm with the provider what is supplied so you do not duplicate or bring prohibited items.
Own fabric, notions, and samples if pre-approved
Some practical tasks require you to bring prepared fabric, calico, fastenings, or a partly made garment. Only bring materials that your teacher or the provider has confirmed in advance. Label everything with your candidate number, not your name, if anonymity is required.
Portfolio or preparatory sheets
If your assessment includes design development, mood boards, or sampling sheets, check whether they must be submitted before the exam or brought on the day. Confirm with the provider the deadline and whether work can be added to during the session.
Clear pencil case and clear water bottle
Many exam rooms require transparent storage and remove labels from drinks. Pack a clear pencil case and a plain water bottle to avoid having items confiscated at the door.
Clock or watch
A simple analogue watch helps you pace the practical task. Do not rely on a smart watch, which is normally banned in the exam room; confirm with the provider whether any watch is allowed.
Plan for safe working
Tie back long hair, avoid loose sleeves, and wear closed-toe shoes for machine and hand-sewing work. Know where the first-aid kit and machine power switches are before you begin.
Plan the day
Re-read the practical brief and the provider's instructions for the session. Check the start time, room, and whether you must arrive early for machine set-up. Confirm with the provider what equipment is supplied and what you must bring, and pack your kit early so missing items can be replaced.
Practise the specific skills your brief is likely to test: a neat seam sample, a buttonhole, a zip insertion, a hem finish, or a pattern adaptation. Time yourself so you know how long each stage takes. Do not learn new techniques at this stage; consolidate what you already do well.
Pre-wash and press fabric if the brief requires it, cut calico to size, and check that you have enough thread, interfacing, and fastenings. Label everything with your candidate number. Prepare a one-page plan listing the order of construction and the time you will allocate to each stage.
Avoid all-nighters. Hand-sewing and machine control depend on steady hands and concentration. Stop heavy practical work the night before so you are not tired or injured.
Lay out your full kit against the checklist and pack it in one bag. Re-check the admission statement, ID, candidate number, and any pre-approved materials. Confirm transport and arrival time, and set two alarms.
Skim your construction plan, key health-and-safety points, and any fabric or fibre facts relevant to your brief. Prepare the labels and candidate details for your work. Eat properly and go to bed at a normal time.
Arrive with time to spare. Put your ID and admission statement on the desk as directed. Set out tools in the order you will use them, check the machine (needle, tension, bobbin, correct foot), and test-stitch on a scrap of your fabric before starting the assessed work.
Read the whole brief before touching fabric. Note the marks available and the required evidence, such as samples, annotations, or a finished item. Spend the first few minutes writing a realistic time plan and stick to it.
Complete the highest-value or most time-critical tasks first. Press as you go, keep your workspace tidy, and label each sample or component with your candidate number. Leave time for finishing, checking, and safe pack-away.
In the last 10 to 15 minutes, check seams, remove tacking stitches and loose threads, press the work if permitted, and confirm every page or sample carries your candidate number. Hand in only what the instructions require, then switch off and clean the machine.
Rules to check
Follow the provider's instructions on what may be brought into the room. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask your teacher or confirm with the provider before the exam; do not assume it will be permitted.
Carry your admission statement and photo ID and place them on your desk as directed. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted.
Enter your candidate number, not your name, on all work where anonymity is required. Do not write your name on samples, portfolios, or answer booklets unless instructed.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the session has started, and do not look at or copy another candidate's work. If you need materials or help, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator.
Use equipment safely: keep fingers away from the machine needle, unplug or switch off machines before changing needles, and report any injury or damaged equipment immediately. Follow your centre's health-and-safety rules at all times.
Breaks and supervised rest periods are set by the centre. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand; you may be escorted or supervised. Confirm with the provider how breaks are handled during long practical sessions.
Marks are awarded for the evidence the brief requires, such as technique, accuracy, finish, design development, and annotation, not simply for completing an item. Check the mark allocation and make sure every required piece of evidence is present.
Stop working immediately when the invigilator announces the end of the session. Hand in your work as directed and do not add to or alter it afterwards. Confirm with the provider how late or missed sessions are handled if illness or an emergency occurs.