BEM PCE Part B Mechanical exam-day guide
BEM PCE Part B Mechanical · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether a second ID is required.
Admission permit / confirmation letter
Print or download the admission document the provider issues after registration. Check the venue address, reporting time, and candidate number on it. If you have not received one, confirm with the provider.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted for the mechanical practical paper. Bring a model you have used before, with fresh batteries, and know its key layout.
Basic stationery
Bring several HB pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, a black or blue pen, and a small ruler. Check whether pen or pencil is required for written answers; if unsure, confirm with the provider.
Non-programmable wristwatch
Many venues do not guarantee a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features is usually acceptable; confirm with the provider whether any watch is prohibited.
Clear water bottle and light snack
Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle and a snack for the break if the sitting is long. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Layered clothing
Practical halls can be cold or warm. Wear layers you can remove without disturbing others, and avoid loose sleeves that could catch on equipment.
Travel plan and backup route
Plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time. Check transport disruptions the day before and identify a backup route.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only what you need. Phones, smart watches, and bags are usually stored away from the desk; confirm with the provider where they must be left.
Review of formula sheet and units
Bring a one-page personal summary of formulas, unit conversions, and sign conventions. Review it before entering the hall, then store it as instructed.
Rest and hydration plan
Sleep, meals, and hydration affect practical performance more than last-minute cramming. Plan a normal night's sleep and a light meal before the sitting.
Provider contact details
Save the exam office phone number and email in case of delay or illness. Report problems early rather than after the sitting.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate instructions and confirm the venue, reporting time, and permitted equipment. Resolve any open questions with the provider by phone or email now, not on the day. Do a full timed practice paper under exam conditions and mark it strictly, focusing on the mechanical topics where you lose the most marks.
Review your personal formula sheet and unit conversions. Practise worked problems on shafts, bearings, gears, belt and chain drives, pressure vessels, and tolerances, since these are common mechanical calculation areas. Check that your calculator works and that you know how to use its memory and fraction functions.
Pack your bag with ID, admission document, calculator, stationery, watch, water, and snack. Lay out clothing. Check the travel route and weather. Do one short review session only, then stop studying. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a light breakfast and drink water. Leave with enough margin to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. At the venue, locate the room, toilets, and bag storage. Keep your phone switched off and stored as instructed. Use the toilet before entering the hall.
Read the front cover of the paper and follow the invigilator's instructions. Check that you have every page and that the paper matches your registered module. Write your candidate number where required. Read the whole paper briefly and plan the order in which you will attempt questions.
Answer the questions you find easiest first to secure marks, then return to harder ones. Show working and state units clearly; method marks are often available even when the final number is wrong. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last 10 minutes to check units, significant figures, and that every question has an answer.
Hand in all materials as instructed and do not discuss the paper with other candidates in the hall or corridors. Note anything you found unclear and report it to the provider if it affected your sitting.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID in the name used at registration. If your ID is expired, lost, or in a different name, contact the provider before the exam; do not assume a copy will be accepted.
Arrive by the reporting time. Candidates arriving late may be admitted at the invigilator's discretion, but extra time is not normally given. Confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled.
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored away from your desk. Unauthorised materials on the desk may lead to disqualification.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. Do not communicate with other candidates during the sitting and do not leave the hall without permission.
If you need to leave the room for personal reasons, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Confirm with the provider whether supervised breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops.
Check the front of the paper for the marks available and the pass mark or grading scheme. Scoring rules vary by sitting; if the paper does not state them, confirm with the provider.
Do not remove question papers, answer booklets, or working notes from the hall unless the invigilator explicitly permits it.
If you believe a question is defective or you are disadvantaged by conditions in the hall, tell the invigilator immediately and follow up with the provider's appeals or special consideration process.