Concours ISCAE ECT exam-day guide
Concours ISCAE ECT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation letter
Print or download the convocation once it is available and check the time, room, and address. If you have not received it, contact the organising body of the concours directly; do not assume the venue. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is accepted.
Valid identity document
Bring the original ID document (national ID card or passport) whose number you used at registration. Check that it is not expired. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is normally not accepted. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for candidates who are foreign nationals.
Exam convocation and ID details match
Verify that the name spelling and ID number on your convocation match your ID exactly. If there is a discrepancy, ask the organiser to correct it before the exam day; corrections at the door may not be possible.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or three)
Bring several pens of the same colour plus a spare. Answers and the answer sheet are usually written in ink; using a colour other than the one stated can invalidate a script. Confirm with the provider which colour is required.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Needed if the paper includes a multiple-choice answer sheet to be filled in pencil. Bring a soft pencil (HB or 2B) and a clean eraser that does not smudge.
Simple calculator (if authorised)
Check the convocation to see whether a calculator is allowed and which models are permitted. A scientific calculator without a graphing screen and without a programmable memory is the usual limit, but do not assume it: confirm with the provider. Bring it with fresh batteries.
Watch (non-connected)
Rooms are not always equipped with a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch lets you manage your time. Smartwatches and connected devices are usually banned and may be treated as fraud; leave them at home or in your bag.
Water and a light snack
Bring a small bottle of water with the label removed if the rules require it, and a snack for after the test. Check whether drinks are allowed on the desk; some centres forbid them.
Travel plan and arrival time
Locate the exam centre in advance and plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the start. Allow extra time for transport delays and for the identity check queue. Late candidates may be refused entry once the test has begun; confirm the cut-off with the provider.
Leave prohibited devices behind
Phones, smartwatches, earphones, and connected devices are usually forbidden in the room. If you must carry a phone, switch it off completely and store it as instructed. A ringing or vibrating device can lead to exclusion.
Read the instructions on the paper carefully
Before writing, check the number of pages, the number of questions, the time allowed, and whether there is a penalty for wrong answers. Report any missing or illegible page immediately.
Rest and logistics the night before
Prepare your bag, clothes, ID, and convocation the evening before. Sleep a full night; a tired candidate makes avoidable reading errors in the first minutes of the test.
Plan the day
Re-read the convocation and confirm the exact address, room, and reporting time. Do a dry run of the route or check the transport schedule. Re-read the format of the test (sections, number of questions, time per section) and the list of authorised materials. Stop trying to learn new chapters; consolidate your formula sheets, vocabulary lists, and method notes instead. Take one timed full-length practice test under exam conditions, then correct it and list your three main sources of error.
Review your error list and redo only the questions you got wrong. Check your ID and convocation details match. Prepare the exact items on the checklist and put them in one bag. If you need to confirm anything with the organiser (authorised calculator, accepted ID, arrival cut-off), do it now, not on the morning of the test.
Do a light review only: key formulas, method reminders, and the timing plan for each section. Do not start a new practice test. Prepare clothes and food, charge nothing you will not be allowed to bring, and set two alarms. Go to bed at a normal hour; a late cramming session costs more in concentration than it gains in knowledge.
Eat a normal breakfast and avoid heavy or unfamiliar food. Leave with the bag already packed, arrive at the centre 30 to 45 minutes early, and go through the identity check calmly. Switch off your phone before entering the room and store it as instructed. Once seated, read the cover page, count the pages, and write your identification details exactly as instructed.
Read the general instructions and check the scoring rules, especially whether wrong answers are penalised. Skim the whole paper or the section instructions to see how the marks are distributed. Write down the time at which you must move to the next section and keep to it.
Work in the order that maximises your score: secure the easy marks first, then return to harder questions. Do not spend more than the planned time on one question. If there is no penalty for wrong answers, never leave a multiple-choice question blank. Keep the answer sheet in step with your booklet and check the numbering regularly. Leave five to ten minutes at the end to check that every answer is transferred and that your identification details are complete.
Note the date and method for the publication of results and the next stage (interview or enrolment) as stated in the rules. Keep your convocation and ID accessible. Do not compare answers in a way that disturbs your preparation for a possible interview; rest first.
Rules to check
Identity: present the original ID document used at registration. Candidates without valid ID may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted, including for foreign nationals.
Prohibited devices: phones, smartwatches, earphones, and any connected device are normally banned in the room. Switch them off and store them as instructed; a device found on you may be treated as attempted fraud.
Authorised materials only: use only the documents and instruments listed on the convocation. Unauthorised notes, formula sheets, or calculators may lead to exclusion. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models.
Timing and lateness: entry is normally closed once the test has started, and no extra time is given to late candidates. Confirm the exact cut-off with the provider. You may not leave the room during the first part of the test; check the centre's rules on toilet breaks.
Scoring: check on the paper whether wrong answers are penalised. If there is no negative marking, answer every question. If there is, answer only when you can eliminate at least one option. Confirm the marking rule with the provider if it is not stated.
Silence and conduct: no communication between candidates, no borrowing of material, and no looking at another script. Follow the invigilators' instructions immediately; a report by an invigilator can lead to cancellation of your paper.
Identification on the script: write your candidate number and details exactly as instructed on the booklet and answer sheet. An anonymous or misidentified script may not be marked.
Results and appeals: the publication date, consultation method, and appeal procedure are set by the organiser. Note them from the official rules and keep your documents; do not rely on informal sources for deadlines.