VWO Geschiedenis exam-day guide
VWO Geschiedenis · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring a valid identity document
A passport, identity card, or residence permit is normally required at the door. Confirm with your school which document types it accepts; if you are unsure whether your document is valid, ask your exam coordinator before exam day rather than on the morning itself.
Check your personal exam timetable and room allocation
The school publishes the exact date, start time, and room for each subject. Verify the history slot and arrival time on your own timetable; times can differ per subject and per room.
Bring your candidate number or school pass
Many schools use a candidate number that you write on answer sheets. Confirm with your school whether this number is pre-printed on your materials or whether you must bring it yourself.
Bring black or blue pens plus spares
Write answers in ink unless the school says otherwise. Bring at least two working pens of the same colour so a failing pen does not cost you time. For source-based questions that require annotation, confirm with your teacher whether pencil or highlighters are permitted.
Bring a watch if the room may lack a visible clock
You need to pace yourself across the paper. A simple analogue or digital watch is usually acceptable, but smartwatches and phones are not; confirm with your school which watches are allowed.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or switched off in your bag
Devices must not be on your person during the exam. If your school has a specific collection point or rules for devices, confirm these with the provider in advance.
Bring water and, if allowed, a small snack for a long session
Check the school's rules on drinks and food at the desk; many rooms allow a clear bottle of water but not food. Confirm with the provider.
Know which reference materials are provided
For history, any permitted source booklet or appendix is normally supplied with the paper. Do not bring your own notes, textbooks, or summaries unless your school explicitly allows a specific resource; confirm this with the provider.
Review the command verbs and question structure the night before
Reread your own summary of what verbs such as describe, explain, compare, and evaluate require, and how many points each question is worth. This is preparation, not new learning; keep it short.
Plan your route and arrival time
Arrive with margin for transport delays. Candidates who arrive late may be admitted under conditions set by the school; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider beforehand so you know what to expect.
Sleep and eat normally
A full night's sleep and a normal breakfast do more for recall than last-minute cramming. Avoid trying to learn new material in the final hours.
Check whether you need to declare anything to the invigilator
If you use a permitted aid or have a documented accommodation, confirm with your school in advance how this is arranged and whether you must report to the invigilator at the start.
Plan the day
Switch from learning to consolidating. Reread your own summaries, timelines, and source-analysis notes rather than the textbook. Make a one-page list of the periods and themes you know least well, and spend your remaining study time there. Practise at least one full past paper or school mock under timed conditions, then mark it honestly against the mark scheme to see where you lose points: knowledge, use of sources, or structure.
Work on exam technique. Rehearse how you will answer source questions: state what the source says, identify its nature and origin, and connect it to your own historical knowledge. Practise structuring longer answers with a short introduction, clearly signposted paragraphs, and a conclusion that answers the question directly. Check the mark allocation so you know roughly how many minutes and how much detail each question deserves.
Do a light review only: key dates, names, and the command verbs. Pack your bag with your ID document, pens, watch, water, and any permitted materials. Confirm the start time and room one final time. Set an alarm, eat a proper meal, and go to bed at a normal hour. Stop studying early enough that you are not tired the next morning.
Eat breakfast, arrive at the school with time to spare, and avoid comparing notes with classmates in the corridor, which tends to raise anxiety. Once seated, read the instructions on the cover, check the number of pages, and note the total time and the mark total. Write your name or candidate number where required before you start.
Scan the whole paper before writing. Identify which questions are compulsory and whether there is a choice. Mark the questions you find hardest and decide the order in which you will answer. Allocate time per question based on marks, and keep a few minutes at the end for checking.
Answer the question that is asked and use the command verb to decide the depth required. For source questions, quote or refer to the source explicitly and explain how it supports your point; do not just summarise it. For longer answers, make your argument visible in the first sentence of each paragraph. If you get stuck, move on and return later. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints rather than constantly.
Check that every required question has an answer, that you have not left a multiple-choice or short-answer item blank, and that your numbering matches the paper. Correct obvious slips of the pen. Do not rewrite whole answers at this stage; use the time to catch omissions.
Rules to check
Bring and present a valid identity document if your school requires it; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if you forget it.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must not be used or kept on your person during the exam. Confirm with the provider where devices are stored and what the consequences of a breach are.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including on seating, starting and stopping writing, and leaving the room. Writing after the signal to stop may have consequences; confirm the school's policy.
Raise your hand if you need to leave the room, feel unwell, or need more paper. Toilet visits are usually supervised and may be logged; confirm the specific arrangements with the provider.
Scoring is normally based on the official mark scheme for the subject, with points awarded per question and converted to a final grade. Do not assume partial credit for a correct fact that does not answer the question; confirm how marks are awarded with your teacher.
Use only the materials your school permits. Notes, textbooks, and unauthorised aids are not allowed unless explicitly stated; if you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask before the exam rather than bring it.
If you believe there was a problem during the exam, such as a misprinted paper or a disturbance, report it to the invigilator immediately and note it afterwards; confirm with the provider how such reports are handled.
Check the school's rules on lateness, illness, and resits in advance. These are set by the school and the examining body, so confirm the details with the provider rather than relying on what other candidates say.