Mali Bac TSS exam-day guide
Mali Bac TSS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / admission confirmation
Bring the convocation or registration confirmation you received when you enrolled. Confirm with the provider which document is accepted (printed vs. digital) and whether a photo ID number must match it exactly.
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID you registered with (national ID card, passport, or driver's license). Check with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether photocopies or expired documents are refused.
Registration/ID numbers written down
Keep your registration number, candidate number, and any login credentials on paper in case the digital confirmation cannot be opened on site.
Exam venue, room, and access route confirmed
Verify the exact address, building entrance, room number, and arrival time. If the venue is unfamiliar, plan the route in advance and identify a backup transport option. Confirm venue details with the provider if anything in the convocation is unclear.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to arrive well before the stated start time; security checks and ID verification can take time. Confirm the provider's late-arrival cutoff, since candidates arriving after it may be refused entry.
Permitted stationery and calculator policy
Confirm with the provider what writing materials are allowed and whether a calculator, formula sheet, or dictionary is permitted. Bring only what is explicitly allowed; bring spare pens/pencils if permitted.
Electronic devices policy
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices are normally switched off and stored away from the desk. Confirm with the provider where devices must be left and what happens if one is found on you.
Personal medication and accessibility arrangements
If you need medication, food, or extra time for a documented condition, confirm the approved arrangement with the provider in advance and bring the approval document.
Water, snack, and clothing
Bring water in a clear container if permitted and dress in layers for variable room temperature. Confirm with the provider whether drinks and snacks are allowed at the desk or only during breaks.
Know the test format and scoring
Re-read the official format description: number and type of questions, time limit, and how the score is reported. Confirm with the provider how unanswered questions are treated and whether there is a penalty for wrong answers.
Rest and logistics the night before
Sleep adequately, set two alarms, and prepare your bag with ID, convocation, and permitted items the evening before so the morning is calm.
Backup contact
Save the provider's contact number and a local emergency contact in case of transport problems or a last-minute venue issue.
Plan the day
Re-read the official format and any syllabus or topic list; confirm venue, arrival time, and permitted items with the provider. Do light, targeted review of weak areas and one timed practice set rather than new material. Prepare your bag and documents, check transport, and protect sleep.
Stop heavy study. Review summary notes and the test instructions only. Lay out ID, convocation, permitted stationery, water, and clothing. Confirm alarms and transport, eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and late screens, and sleep at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue with a buffer, keep your phone off and stored per the provider's rules, and complete ID checks calmly. Use the waiting time for a brief review of key points, not for cramming new topics.
Read the instructions and check the time limit and question count before starting. Note the clock position and plan your pace. Ask the invigilator about anything unclear (e.g., how to correct an answer) before you begin.
Work through questions you can answer confidently first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve time to transfer or check answers. If you are stuck, move on rather than losing time on one item.
Use the last minutes to check that all questions are answered as intended and that identifying details are filled in. After the test, note what felt difficult while it is fresh, and confirm with the provider how and when results are released.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID you registered with; entry may be refused if the name or ID does not match your registration. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Arrive by the stated time. Candidates arriving after the provider's cutoff may not be admitted and may not receive extra time; confirm the cutoff in advance.
Electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Keeping a phone or smartwatch at your desk is typically treated as misconduct; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Follow invigilator instructions on seating, materials, and communication. Do not talk to other candidates during the test or attempt to view others' work.
Use only permitted materials. Bringing unauthorized notes, formula sheets, or calculators may lead to cancellation of your result; confirm what is allowed with the provider.
Ask the invigilator before the test about break policy, toilet access, and how to correct answers. Do not assume breaks are allowed unless the provider confirms it.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the provider. Confirm how the score is calculated, whether wrong answers are penalized, and when results are issued; do not rely on hearsay.
If you believe there was a disturbance or technical problem, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the provider's appeals or incident procedure. Confirm the deadline for any appeal with the provider.