CNC Maroc exam-day guide
CNC Maroc · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / confirmation of registration
Bring the convocation or registration confirmation you received when you enrolled for the CNC (Concours National Commun). It usually shows your candidate number, centre and timetable. If you have not received it, contact your school or the organising body well before the test; do not assume you can be admitted without it.
National identity card or valid passport
Bring the original identity document used at registration. A photocopy is normally not accepted. Check that the document has not expired. If your ID is lost or being renewed, ask the provider in advance what alternative proof is accepted rather than arriving with nothing.
Candidate number and centre details written down
Write your candidate number, exam centre address and room on paper as well as keeping it on your phone, since phones are usually collected or switched off during the test. Confirm the exact centre and access route with the provider, as centres can be large campuses with several entrances.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or three)
Bring several working pens of the same colour, plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether only one ink colour is permitted for the answer script, as some centres are strict about this.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any machine-readable answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be done on the answer script or on separate paper supplied by the centre.
Approved calculator
Check the current rules on authorised calculators before the test: some competitions restrict the model or require a specific non-programmable type. Do not bring a programmable or graphing calculator unless the rules explicitly allow it. If unsure, confirm with the provider.
Geometrical instruments if your subject requires them
Ruler, compass, set square and protractor for mathematics or technical subjects. Confirm with the provider which instruments are allowed in the room, as some items may be supplied or prohibited.
Simple watch (no smart features)
A basic wristwatch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches and connected devices are normally forbidden; leave them at home or expect to hand them in.
Nothing electronic in your pockets
Phone, earbuds, smartwatch and any connected device should be switched off and stored as the centre instructs, or left behind. Carrying a phone into the room can lead to disqualification even if it is off; confirm the provider's storage arrangements.
Water and a light snack for between papers
Sessions can be long and breaks short. Bring water in a clear container if the centre allows it, and a snack for the break. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are permitted in the exam room itself.
Know the timetable and arrival time
Note the start time of every paper and arrive with a comfortable margin, typically well before the doors close. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time after which entry is refused, as this varies by centre.
Read the current competition rules once more
Re-read the official notice on authorised materials, calculator policy and conduct for this year. Rules can change between sessions; rely on the current official document rather than on what older candidates tell you.
Plan the day
Confirm your centre, room and the exact timetable for each paper with the provider or your school. Check the route and travel time, and decide how you will get there. Re-read the official rules on authorised materials and calculators, and set aside the documents and instruments you will bring. Do one or two timed practice papers under exam conditions rather than starting new topics; use the results to list the two or three formula or method gaps worth reviewing.
Review your summary sheets: key formulas, standard proofs, common calculation traps and the wording of typical questions. Practise the sections where you lose marks most often, such as multi-step problems or written justification. Stop heavy new learning. Prepare your bag with ID, convocation, pens, instruments and approved calculator, and check the calculator works and has fresh batteries if it uses them.
Do a light review only, then stop. Check transport arrangements and, if you are travelling, confirm your accommodation and set two alarms. Lay out clothes, ID, convocation and stationery by the door. Eat a normal meal, avoid staying up late, and get a full night's sleep; fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of revision.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with a wide margin before the doors close. Keep your phone off and stored as instructed. Go to the toilet before entering the room. Once seated, check that you have the correct paper and that any supplied answer sheet matches your candidate details before the start is announced.
Read the instructions and the whole paper briefly, note the mark allocation, then start with the questions you can do confidently. Allocate time per section and keep an eye on your watch. Show your working clearly, since method marks are often awarded, and write legibly. If a question blocks you, leave a gap and return later rather than losing time. Reserve the last few minutes to check that every answer is transferred to the correct place and that your candidate details are filled in.
Step outside, drink water, eat something light and avoid comparing answers with other candidates, which only adds stress. Check the start time of the next paper and be back at the room early.
Keep your convocation and candidate number: you may need them for results. Note any question you found unclear and report it through the official channel if the provider allows it, rather than discussing it informally.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document used at registration and your convocation. If either is missing, speak to the centre staff immediately; do not enter the room and hope it goes unnoticed. The exact procedure for missing documents must be confirmed with the provider.
Follow the centre's instructions on electronic devices. Phones, smartwatches and earbuds are normally prohibited in the exam room; keep them switched off and stored as directed. Possession of a device during a paper can be treated as a breach of conduct regardless of whether it was used.
Use only authorised materials. Check the current rules on calculators, formula sheets and geometrical instruments before the test; using a prohibited device or document can lead to the paper being cancelled. If a rule is unclear, confirm with the provider in advance.
Raise your hand and ask an invigilator if you need to leave the room, need paper, or find a printing error in the paper. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not look at another candidate's work.
Breaks between papers are governed by the centre. Confirm with the provider whether you may leave the building between sessions and when you must be back; being late for the next paper can mean being refused entry.
Scoring and marking schemes are set by the organising body, not by individual centres. Do not rely on informal accounts of how marks are awarded; consult the official notice for the structure of each paper and any penalty rules.
Write your candidate details on every answer sheet and check them before handing in. An unidentifiable or mislabelled script may not be marked.
Results, appeals and any request for special arrangements follow the official procedure and deadlines. Confirm with the provider how and when to submit a request, and keep copies of anything you send.