ESPA Concours exam-day guide
ESPA Concours · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirmation of registration and test appointment
Print or save to your phone the registration confirmation and the exact time, address, and room for your sitting. If anything on it looks wrong (name spelling, test level, date), contact the provider before test day. Confirm with the provider which document counts as your admission ticket, since procedures differ between centres.
Valid photo ID matching your registration
Bring the original ID document (passport or national identity card) whose details match your registration exactly. Check the expiry date now. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever allowed; assume the original is required.
Know the arrival time and cut-off
Arrive at the stated check-in time, not the start time. Confirm with the provider how late arrivals are handled, because candidates are commonly refused entry once the listening section has begun.
Travel plan and backup route
Plan the route in advance, identify a backup line or bus, and add a buffer for traffic and security checks. For early sittings, consider staying near the venue the night before.
Water and a light snack for the break
Bring a small bottle of water and something easy to eat. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at your desk or only during the break; rules vary by centre.
Watch or silent timer
A simple analogue watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections without looking up at the room clock. Confirm with the provider that wristwatches are permitted; smartwatches are almost always banned.
Pencils, eraser, and blue or black pen
Bring several pencils for the answer sheet, a good eraser, and a pen for written answers if your test uses one. Confirm with the provider which writing instruments are supplied or required.
Leave valuables and electronics at home
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and notes must normally be switched off and stored away from your desk. Check with the provider where bags and devices are kept during the test.
Read the format and instructions in advance
Know the number of parts, the question types, and the time allowed for each section so you do not lose minutes deciphering instructions on the day.
Rest and normal routine the night before
Sleep at your usual time, avoid last-minute cramming, and eat a normal breakfast. Fatigue costs more marks in a long listening and reading test than one extra hour of revision gains.
Plan the day
Do one full timed mock under exam conditions, then review errors by category (listening detail, grammar, vocabulary, reading speed, writing structure) rather than re-reading everything. Stop learning new material after this point and consolidate what you already know.
Re-check the venue on a map, confirm transport times for your arrival slot, and prepare the documents and stationery you will carry. Write a short list and place the items together in one bag.
Re-read the official instructions for your test level, especially the timing of sections and how answers must be marked. Confirm with the provider any point you are unsure about, such as ID requirements or permitted items.
Do light review only: your own error notes, a few listening excerpts, and key writing phrases. Do not start a new mock test.
Lay out ID, confirmation, stationery, water, and snack by the door. Check the alarm and, if travelling far, confirm your accommodation and departure time.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy alcohol, and go to bed at your usual hour. Set two alarms if the sitting is early.
Eat a normal breakfast, take your documents and bag, and leave with a buffer so you arrive before the check-in time. Avoid intensive last-minute study; a brief glance at notes is enough.
Switch off your phone and store it as instructed on arrival. Follow the invigilator's identity check and seating instructions without discussion.
Read the instructions for each part before starting, note the time allowed, and keep an eye on your watch. Answer every question; there is normally no penalty for a wrong answer on multiple-choice items, but confirm with the provider for your specific test.
If a section is timed separately, stop writing when told and move on. Do not carry answers forward or back between sections, and do not attempt to reopen a closed section.
Use the break to drink water, eat something light, and stretch. Do not discuss the questions with other candidates, and return to your seat before the stated time.
Hand in all materials as instructed, check you have your ID and belongings, and note the provider's stated date for results publication.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration. If your ID is expired, lost, or shows a different name, contact the provider before test day; do not assume a copy will be accepted.
Arrive by the stated check-in time. Late arrival is commonly grounds for refusal of entry, especially once the listening section has started; confirm with the provider how lateness is handled at your centre.
Switch off all phones, smartwatches, and other devices and store them as directed. Keeping a device at your desk, even switched off, can lead to cancellation of your result.
Do not bring notes, books, or unauthorised aids into the test room. Any material you are allowed to keep, such as your ID, should be placed where the invigilator instructs.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing exactly. Write only during the periods allowed for each section, and stop immediately when told.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not share or copy answers. Suspected misconduct is normally reported and can invalidate your result.
Use breaks only as permitted. Leave the room only when allowed, return before the stated time, and do not take test materials out of the room.
Scoring and result procedures are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider how each section is scored, whether wrong answers are penalised, how long results take, and how to request a review if needed.