Concours EMI exam-day guide
Concours EMI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / admission letter
Print the convocation (or download it offline) and check the time, room, and address shown on it. If your convocation has not arrived, contact the organizing body immediately rather than waiting; confirm with the provider how late documents are issued.
Valid photo ID
Bring the identity document named in the convocation. Check the expiry date now. If your ID is expired, damaged, or in a different name than the registration, contact the provider before exam day to confirm what is accepted.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or more)
Most written concours papers are answered in ink. Bring at least two pens of the same type, tested beforehand, plus a spare.
Pencils, eraser, sharpener
Useful for rough work, diagrams, and any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted on the answer sheet itself.
Non-programmable watch
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analog or basic digital watch helps you pace yourself. Smartwatches and connected devices are almost always prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Water and a small snack
Long papers can run several hours. Bring a clear bottle of water and an energy snack for before or after the session, unless the provider's rules forbid food and drink in the room.
Printed logistics: address, route, contact number
Write down the exact address, the transport route, and a phone number for the exam site. Plan to arrive well before the reporting time to absorb delays.
Know the paper format and timing
Re-read the official notice: number of papers, duration of each, whether there are breaks, and whether a calculator or dictionary is allowed. Do not rely on second-hand information from forums.
Leave prohibited devices at home or switched off in your bag
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and connected devices are usually banned from the desk. Confirm with the provider what happens to bags and devices during the session.
Review your registration and fee status
Check that your registration is confirmed and any fee is settled. If there is any doubt about your status, resolve it with the provider before the exam, not on the day.
Sleep and travel plan for the night before
Book accommodation near the site if the journey is long, and set two alarms. Fatigue is one of the most common causes of avoidable mistakes.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Identify a backup route and a person to call if transport fails. If you are delayed, contact the exam site as soon as possible and confirm with the provider whether late entry is possible.
Plan the day
Confirm the logistics: exact address, reporting time, transport route, and travel duration. Print the convocation and ID copies. Re-read the official exam notice for format, duration, and permitted materials. Stop learning new material; instead review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and past mistakes. Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions to calibrate your pacing, then correct it carefully. Prepare your bag with pens, ID, convocation, watch, water, and snack. Check the weather forecast and plan clothing in layers.
Do a light review only: key definitions, method checklists, and the structure of the expected exercise types. Do not attempt a full new paper. Lay out clothes, bag, documents, and transport tickets by the door. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Set two alarms. Reconfirm the reporting time once more on the official notice.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the site with a comfortable margin before the reporting time; late arrival rules are strict and you should confirm with the provider whether any tolerance exists. Once seated, read the instructions on the paper carefully, check the number of pages, and note the start and end times. Take a few slow breaths and settle before writing.
First allocate your time by exercise and by points, then follow that allocation. Read the whole paper briefly before starting. Answer the questions you are sure of first to secure marks, then return to harder ones. Show your reasoning and intermediate steps, since method marks are often awarded even when the final answer is wrong. Keep an eye on the clock at fixed checkpoints, for example at one-third and two-thirds of the allotted time. Leave the last few minutes to check names, candidate numbers, page numbering, and that no answer has been left blank by accident.
Rules to check
Identity: bring the photo ID specified in the convocation and place it on the desk if instructed. The name must match your registration. If there is any discrepancy, contact the provider before exam day to confirm how to resolve it.
Prohibited items: phones, smartwatches, connected devices, and unauthorized notes are normally banned from the desk. Switch devices off and store them as instructed. Confirm with the provider the exact list of permitted materials, including calculators or dictionaries if relevant.
Timing and late entry: reporting times and late-entry tolerances vary by session and site. Do not assume a grace period; confirm with the provider and plan to arrive early.
Breaks: whether breaks are allowed, and whether you may leave the room during the paper, depends on the session rules. Ask the invigilator before the paper starts if you are unsure. Confirm with the provider in advance if you have a medical need.
Scoring: papers are typically marked for both method and final answer, and some sections may be negatively marked or weighted differently. Read the instructions on the paper itself rather than relying on memory, and confirm with the provider if the marking scheme is not stated.
Conduct: follow invigilator instructions, keep your eyes on your own paper, and do not communicate with other candidates during the session. Any suspected irregularity can lead to invalidation of your paper.
Answer format: write legibly in the required ink, number your answers clearly, and keep rough work separate if instructed. Illegible or ambiguously numbered answers may not be marked.
End of session: stop writing immediately when instructed, hand in all materials including rough paper if required, and do not remove any exam documents from the room.