Civil Litigation exam-day guide
Civil Litigation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID required by the provider (often a driver's license or passport). Confirm the exact accepted forms and name-match rules with the provider; do not rely on a photocopy or digital image.
Admission ticket or confirmation
Print or save the scheduling confirmation and any candidate number. If the provider requires a printed ticket, confirm that requirement in advance.
Appointment time and test-center address
Verify the address, arrival time, and parking or transit options the day before. Test centers sometimes share buildings with other offices; confirm the suite or floor with the provider.
Permitted reference materials
Civil litigation exams vary widely: some are open-book, some provide a statutory extract or rulebook, and some allow nothing. Confirm with the provider exactly what is permitted and in what format.
Allowed writing instruments and scratch paper
Bring only what the provider permits. Many centers supply scratch paper and prohibit outside paper; confirm the policy with the provider rather than assuming.
Watch or silent timer
A simple analog watch can help pace yourself if the testing software's clock is not visible enough. Confirm whether wearable devices are allowed; smartwatches are commonly prohibited.
Comfort items permitted by the provider
Water, tissues, or medication may require accommodation approval. Confirm with the provider in advance; do not bring them if not expressly allowed.
Accommodation approval letter
If you have approved testing accommodations, bring the approval documentation and confirm the check-in procedure with the provider.
Transportation and backup plan
Plan to arrive with buffer time. Identify a backup route or contact number in case of delay, and confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Review plan for the final week
Prepare a one-page outline of civil litigation topics you will skim in the final 24 hours: pleadings, motions, discovery, trial procedure, and judgment/enforcement. Keep it brief and based on your own notes.
Confirm scoring and result timeline
Know whether the exam is scored immediately, whether there is a waiting period, and how results are delivered. Confirm these details with the provider; do not assume a timeline.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the test center or provider contact in your phone and on paper. If you are delayed or ill, call as soon as possible to understand your options.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-check the appointment time, address, ID requirements, permitted materials, and accommodation status with the provider. Print or save all confirmations. Do a final review of civil litigation topics using your own outline, focusing on procedural sequences and common motion practice. Avoid learning new material; consolidate what you know. Get a full night's sleep and keep the next two days light.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, permitted materials, and comfort items. Lay out clothes. Re-read your one-page outline only. Confirm transportation and set two alarms. Avoid intensive study; a brief skim of headings is enough. Eat a normal meal and avoid alcohol. Check the provider's website or phone line for any last-minute changes, but do not rely on social media.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the test center with buffer time, ideally earlier than the provider's stated arrival time. Leave prohibited items (smartwatch, notes, phone) secured as directed. Complete check-in calmly, present your ID, and listen to instructions. Use the restroom before the exam starts. If something goes wrong, notify staff immediately rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Read the instructions and note the total time and number of questions. Pace yourself: allocate time per question and leave a few minutes to review flagged items. Answer easier questions first if the format allows. For civil litigation questions, identify the procedural stage, the governing rule, and the procedural consequence before selecting an answer. Use scratch paper to outline fact patterns. If breaks are permitted, confirm the procedure with the proctor and return promptly. Do not discuss the exam with others during breaks.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID required by the provider. Confirm accepted forms and name-match rules with the provider before exam day; a photocopy or digital copy is generally not accepted.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials. Civil litigation exams differ on whether statutes, rulebooks, or notes are allowed; confirm the exact policy with the provider and do not bring prohibited items into the testing room.
Electronic devices are commonly restricted. Confirm with the provider whether phones, smartwatches, and other devices must be stored or left outside; do not assume a device is allowed because it is silent.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy. Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled or on request, whether the clock stops, and what identification is needed to re-enter. Return promptly when a break ends.
Scoring and result delivery vary by provider. Confirm whether the exam is scored immediately, whether there is a waiting period, and how results are reported. Do not rely on unofficial sources for scoring rules.
Maintain exam integrity: do not communicate with other candidates about exam content during the session, do not copy or share questions, and follow all proctor instructions. Report any irregularity to the proctor immediately.
If you arrive late, are ill, or encounter an emergency, contact the provider as soon as possible to understand your options. Do not assume a make-up or refund policy; confirm the provider's terms in advance.
Use only the writing instruments and scratch paper supplied or permitted by the provider. Confirm whether outside paper is allowed; many centers provide and collect all scratch paper.