NSSCO History 6138 exam-day guide
NSSCO History 6138 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm exam date, session time and venue with your school or exam centre
NSSCO exams are administered through registered centres, so your school or centre controls the exact timetable and seating. Do not rely on memory or a friend's timetable; confirm the date, start time and room in writing (notice board, letter or centre announcement) before the final week. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Know your candidate/index number and bring proof of identity as required by your centre
Write your candidate number exactly as issued; it goes on every answer booklet and script. Ask your centre in advance which identification documents they accept and whether a school ID, birth certificate or other document is required. Do not assume a particular ID is accepted - confirm with the provider.
Pack black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two) and a spare
History answers are handwritten and long; a dying pen mid-essay wastes time. Use dark ink for legibility. Avoid pencils for final answers unless your centre instructs otherwise for diagrams or rough work.
Bring a pencil, eraser and sharpener for rough planning
Use them for timelines, quick essay skeletons or crossing out cleanly. Plan on spare paper or in the space your centre allows, not over your final answer.
Bring a clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require see-through storage so invigilators can check equipment quickly. If your centre has a specific rule, confirm with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off and stored as instructed
A phone in your pocket, even switched off, can be treated as a serious irregularity. Follow the invigilator's storage instructions exactly; if unsure what is permitted, confirm with the provider.
Bring a wristwatch (non-smart) to manage time
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and invigilators may only announce time at intervals. A plain analogue or digital watch lets you pace sections and leave time to proofread.
Carry water and a light snack for before or after the session
Hydration helps concentration over a long paper. Check your centre's rules on bringing drinks into the exam room; if unsure, confirm with the provider.
Revise key dates, terms and source-analysis vocabulary the night before
Focus on a one-page summary: major periods, key figures, cause-and-consequence chains, and phrases for evaluating sources (origin, purpose, reliability, usefulness, bias). Do not try to learn new topics at this stage.
Practise one timed past-paper section under exam conditions
NSSCO History papers reward structured essays and source questions. Rehearse allocating minutes per mark, writing a quick plan, and finishing with a conclusion. Mark your attempt against the mark scheme or ask your teacher to check it.
Plan your journey and arrive early
Aim to reach the centre well before the start time so late transport or security checks do not cost you reading time. Know the room number and any entry procedure in advance.
Read the front of the question paper and instructions carefully before writing
Check the number of sections, how many questions to answer, and whether questions are compulsory. Misreading the rubric is one of the most common avoidable losses of marks.
Plan the day
Switch from learning content to active recall and exam technique. Make a one-page summary per major topic: key dates, causes, consequences, and 3–4 named examples or sources you can deploy. Then do at least one full timed section of a past paper, writing under exam conditions. Review where you lost marks: was it knowledge, structure, or time? Spend the remaining time on those weaknesses, not on comfortable revision of what you already know.
Check logistics: confirm the venue, start time and what you are allowed to bring. Lay out pens, pencil, eraser, watch and any permitted documents. Re-read your centre's instructions on ID and prohibited items, and confirm with the provider if anything is unclear. Sleep at your normal time rather than cramming late.
Do light revision only: skim your summaries, key dates and source-evaluation phrases. Do not start a new topic. Prepare clothes and transport for the morning, charge nothing you cannot bring, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and get a full night's sleep; memory and essay planning depend on it more than on one extra hour of reading.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive at the centre early. Leave phones and smart devices stored as instructed. Once seated, read the front page and rubric before the start: note how many questions to answer, which are compulsory, and the marks per question. Write your candidate number on every booklet as directed. Take a few calming breaths; you have prepared for this.
Read the whole paper or at least all questions in the sections you must answer. Choose your questions deliberately, marking key command words (describe, explain, compare, evaluate, how far). Draft a brief plan for each essay: thesis, 3–4 main points with evidence, and a conclusion. Budget minutes per mark and write the finish time on your rough paper so you can check it.
Answer in the order that suits you, but keep to your time budget and do not overrun one essay at the expense of another. For source questions, state what the source says, then evaluate origin, purpose and reliability before using it as evidence. Link every paragraph back to the question. If you run short of time, write bullet-point plans for remaining answers rather than leaving them blank - some marks are better than none. Reserve the last 5–10 minutes to check you have answered the required number of questions and written your number on every booklet.
Do not dissect answers with friends in a way that unsettles you before other papers. Note any technique lessons for next time, then move on. If you have another History paper or session, confirm its time and venue with your centre.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from invigilators. They control seating, start and finish times, and what may be brought into the room. If an instruction seems unclear, ask before the paper starts rather than guessing.
Bring and present the identification your centre requires. Because accepted documents vary by centre, confirm with the provider in advance rather than assuming a particular ID will be accepted.
Do not bring phones, smart watches or other electronic devices into the exam room unless your centre explicitly permits storage arrangements. Unauthorised devices can lead to disqualification, so confirm with the provider if in doubt.
Write your candidate number on every answer booklet and follow the rubric exactly - answer the required number of questions from the required sections. Extra answers outside the rubric may not be marked.
Breaks and toilet visits are at the invigilator's discretion and are usually supervised. Raise your hand and wait; do not leave the room without permission. Ask your centre in advance about its break policy if you have a medical need.
Marks are awarded for what is written in your script, so show your working: clear paragraphs, explicit evidence, and conclusions that answer the question. Legible handwriting and labelled plans can earn credit; unreadable or unfinished answers cannot.
Any suspected malpractice - unauthorised material, communication with others, or disruptive behaviour - is reported and can affect your result. Keep your eyes on your own paper and your materials to yourself.
If you believe there was a problem with the paper or the conduct of the exam, tell the invigilator or your centre immediately afterwards; do not discuss it during the session. Your centre can advise on the official procedure.