HAVO Engels exam-day guide
HAVO Engels · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring valid ID
Take a passport or ID card that matches the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents it accepts and whether a school ID is enough.
Bring your admission/exam letter
Print or download the letter your school or the examination office gives you; it usually states the time, room and candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Bring pens and pencils
Take at least two blue or black ballpoint pens plus a pencil, eraser and sharpener. Check the provider's rules on what writing materials are allowed.
Bring a clear pencil case or none
Many venues require a transparent bag or no case at all. Confirm with the provider which is expected.
Bring a simple watch
A plain analogue or digital watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches and phones must be handed in.
Leave your phone at home or plan to hand it in
Phones and smart devices are usually collected or banned at the desk. Confirm with the provider exactly where devices go and what happens if one is found.
Bring water and a snack
A transparent bottle of water and a small snack for after the exam are sensible. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Know the location and travel time
Check the room and building in advance and plan to arrive well before the start time. Confirm with the provider how early candidates should report.
Read the instructions on the paper carefully
Check the number of questions, the marks per question and any word limits before you start writing.
Prepare for the listening section
If your exam includes a listening part, check the provider's information on audio equipment, playback rules and whether you may take notes during playback.
Plan the day
Do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions, then mark it and list your three weakest question types. Spend the remaining days on those types only, not on new material.
Re-read the exam specification for your level: which skills are tested, how long each part lasts, and how marks are divided. Confirm with the provider if anything in your information is unclear.
Practise the writing task once with a strict time limit, using a clear structure: introduction, two body paragraphs and a short conclusion. Check that you have covered every bullet point in the task.
Do a short review of useful linking words, common exam instructions and your personal list of recurring mistakes. Stop studying early enough to sleep well.
Pack your bag: ID, exam letter, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water. Charge nothing you cannot take in; decide now what you will do with your phone.
Check travel arrangements and the weather, set two alarms, and confirm the start time and room. Eat a normal meal and avoid last-minute cramming.
Eat breakfast, arrive at the venue with time to spare, and find the room and your seat. Keep conversation light; avoid comparing preparation with other candidates.
Fill in your name and candidate number, check the paper for missing pages, and read the instructions for each part before writing.
Skim the questions first, then read the text. Answer in your own words where the task asks for it, and quote only when the question requires a quotation.
Spend a few minutes planning, write, then reserve time to check tense, subject-verb agreement, spelling and whether every task point is covered.
Make sure no question is blank, check that answers are in the right place, and confirm you have written your name and number. Hand in only when instructed.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document the provider requires and keep it on your desk if instructed. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Phones, smartwatches and other devices must be switched off and handed in or stored as the venue directs. Keeping a device at your desk can lead to invalidation, so confirm with the provider what the exact rule is.
Arrive before the stated start time. Candidates who arrive late may be admitted or refused depending on the provider's regulations; confirm with the provider what the cut-off is.
During the exam, do not talk, look at other candidates' papers or pass anything between desks. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need help.
If you need the toilet or feel unwell, raise your hand; an invigilator will decide whether you may leave and whether you are supervised. Confirm with the provider whether lost time is compensated.
Use only the writing materials allowed by the provider, and write in the colour and format the paper specifies. Answers written outside the designated spaces may not be marked.
Marks are awarded for content, structure and language as set out in the marking scheme for your level; check the provider's published weighting so you know how much each part is worth.
If you believe something went wrong during the exam, tell the invigilator immediately and ask your school to note it; complaints raised later are harder to support.