EMIG Concours Technicien exam-day guide
EMIG Concours Technicien · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation letter
Print or download the convocation you received after registration. It usually states the exam centre, date, time and your candidate number. Check the exact wording of what you are asked to present, because the required document can vary between sessions; if anything is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Valid identity document
Bring the original photo ID accepted by the organising body (national ID card or passport are the usual choices). A photocopy is normally not accepted. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid and whether an expired document is tolerated.
Several black or blue ballpoint pens
Written papers are usually answered on paper. Bring at least two or three pens that you have already tested, plus a spare. Avoid gel pens that smudge if the answer sheet is scanned.
Pencil, eraser and pencil sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet that must be filled in with a pencil. Keep them in a clear pouch so they are easy to show at the door.
Non-programmable watch
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue watch lets you pace yourself. Smart watches and connected devices are usually forbidden; confirm with the provider what is allowed.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require stationery to be visible without opening a bag. A transparent pouch speeds up the security check and avoids surprises at the entrance.
Water bottle with the label removed
Staying hydrated helps concentration on a long paper. Remove the label in advance, as labelled bottles are sometimes refused at the door.
Transport plan and route
Check the route to the centre the day before, note the travel time and add a 30 to 45 minute buffer. Aim to arrive well before the doors close, since late candidates are often refused entry.
Snack for the break
If the session includes a break, a small snack and a drink help you recover between papers. Keep it in your bag and check whether food is allowed in the room.
Leave phones and connected devices at home or switched off in your bag
A ringing or vibrating phone during the test can lead to disqualification. The safest option is to leave it at home; otherwise switch it off completely and store it as instructed.
Read the instructions on the convocation and the exam rules
The convocation and the provider's rules page usually list the authorised materials, the start time and the procedure in case of a problem. Read them once in the final week and once the day before.
Confirm the practical details with the provider
If any point is not explicit in your documents (calculator, dictionary, exact arrival time, ID accepted), contact the organising body before exam day rather than guessing on the spot.
Plan the day
Re-read the convocation and the exam rules line by line. Note the address, the door-opening time, the start time and the list of authorised materials. Write a short list of the points you still need to confirm with the provider and send the questions that day, so you have time to receive an answer.
Do a final revision pass focused on the core technical content of the programme rather than on new topics. Review your own summary sheets, formulas and typical exercises. Stop learning new material at this stage; consolidate what you already know.
Do one timed rehearsal under exam conditions: same duration, no notes, no phone. This trains your pacing and shows which sections take too long. Correct it the same day and note two or three concrete points to fix.
Prepare the physical kit: pens tested on paper, pencil, eraser, watch, clear pouch and identity document. Put everything in one place so the morning is only about picking up the bag.
Check the route and the transport timetable, including any planned works or disruptions. Decide the exact departure time and add a comfortable buffer. If the centre is far away, consider sleeping nearby.
Light revision only: reread your summary sheets for 60 to 90 minutes, then stop. Avoid cramming new chapters late at night, as it increases anxiety and reduces alertness the next morning.
Prepare clothes and bag, charge nothing that you cannot bring into the room, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid excess caffeine and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Have a normal breakfast, leave early and arrive at the centre with a wide margin. Keep the convocation and identity document in an easily reachable pocket so the check at the door is quick.
Before entering, switch off your phone completely and store it as instructed. Go to the toilet before the session starts. Once seated, check that your name and candidate number are correct on the documents and answer sheets.
Read the whole paper first, note the mark weighting of each part and allocate time accordingly. Start with the questions you can handle confidently, then return to the harder ones. Write legibly and show your reasoning, since method often earns partial credit.
Keep 10 to 15 minutes at the end to check that every answer is transferred to the answer sheet, that units and significant figures are consistent, and that no question has been left blank by oversight. If you are unsure of a fact, state your assumption clearly rather than leaving the space empty.
Do not spend the evening comparing answers in detail; it changes nothing and increases stress. Note in writing what went well and what you would do differently, which is useful if you have to sit another session.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document required by the organising body and present it on request. The name on the document must match the name on the registration. If your situation is unusual (recent name change, missing document), contact the provider before exam day rather than at the door.
Arrive at the time stated on the convocation. Candidates arriving after the doors close may be refused entry; the exact tolerance period is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance if you are unsure.
Electronic devices, connected watches and any unauthorised material must be switched off and stored as instructed. Using or even holding such a device during the test is commonly treated as a breach of the rules and can lead to disqualification.
Follow the instructions of the invigilators at all times. Do not communicate with other candidates, do not look at another candidate's paper and do not pass any material during the test.
Breaks, if any, are announced by the invigilators. You normally cannot leave the room during the test except in an emergency and with authorisation; confirm the provider's policy on toilet breaks before the session.
Scoring rules, pass marks and the weighting of each part are set by the organising body. Read the instructions printed on the paper, which usually state how marks are awarded and whether wrong answers are penalised.
If you believe there is a problem with the conditions of the test (noise, a defective document, a missing page), raise your hand and inform an invigilator immediately, and note the facts afterwards. A complaint made only after the session is harder to take into account.
Results, publication dates and any appeal procedure are announced by the provider. Check the official channel rather than relying on informal sources, and keep your candidate number safe until the results are published.