HAVO Informatica exam-day guide
HAVO Informatica · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring a valid ID
Bring a valid passport or ID card. Confirm with the provider which ID is accepted; requirements can vary by school.
Bring your admission letter and timetable
Have your admission letter (with your candidate number) and the exam timetable with you. Confirm with the provider whether a physical copy is required.
Bring pens and pencils
Bring at least two blue or black ballpoint pens and two pencils with an eraser. For computer-based work, confirm with the provider whether you may bring your own keyboard or mouse.
Bring your own laptop only if the provider allows it
Some schools provide computers; others require you to bring your own. Confirm with the provider which applies to you, and check the required software and charger.
Check that your files are on the allowed storage
If you bring your own device, save your work on the storage medium the provider specifies (for example a USB stick or the school network). Confirm with the provider which storage is permitted.
Bring a charger and power cable
A full battery is not enough for a long practical exam. Bring your charger and check that the socket type at the exam location matches.
Prepare your software and files the day before
Open the programs you will use (editor, database tool, spreadsheet) and check that they start. Confirm with the provider which software versions are available.
Bring a watch
A simple watch helps you keep track of time. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches are allowed; they are often not permitted.
Bring water and a snack
Bring a bottle of water and a small snack for during or after the exam. Confirm with the provider what is allowed at the exam desk.
Leave your phone at home or hand it in
Phones and other devices must usually be handed in or left in a locker. Confirm with the provider what the rule is at your location.
Know the location and travel time
Check the exam location and plan your journey. Aim to arrive well before the start time; confirm with the provider how early you must be present.
Read the general exam instructions
Read the general instructions for candidates that your school provides. Confirm with the provider where to find them.
Plan the day
Make a short list of the skills the practical exam tests, such as writing code, designing a database, or building a spreadsheet. Practise each skill once on the computer you will use, and check that your files open and save correctly.
Check the exam regulations for computer use: which programs are allowed, whether internet access is available, and how you must save and submit your work. Confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Prepare your materials: ID, admission letter, pens, pencils, charger, and any allowed storage. Pack them in one bag so you do not have to look for them on the day.
Get enough sleep and avoid learning completely new topics. Repeat the basics you already know, such as file handling, simple queries, and checking your own work.
Confirm the start time, location, and which equipment you must bring. Confirm with the provider whether you use a school computer or your own device.
Charge your laptop and any other devices, and test your charger. Make a backup of your practice files on the storage medium you are allowed to use.
Read through the general exam instructions once more, especially the rules about saving, autosave, and what to do if a computer fails.
Prepare clothes, water, and a snack, and set an alarm. Go to bed on time.
Eat breakfast and leave early enough to arrive with time to spare. Take your ID, admission letter, pens, pencils, charger, and allowed storage.
Hand in your phone and other devices as instructed. Confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
At your desk, check that your computer starts and that the programs you need are available. Report any problem to the invigilator immediately, before the exam starts.
Read the whole paper first and note how many points each part is worth. Start with the parts you can do well, and keep an eye on the time.
Save your work regularly and use clear file names as instructed. If the computer freezes or a program closes, stay calm, note what happened, and call the invigilator.
Test your programs and files as you go: run your code, check your query results, and look at your spreadsheet formulas. Leave time at the end to check that everything is saved and submitted as required.
Rules to check
Bring valid identification and your admission letter. Confirm with the provider which documents are required and whether a digital copy is accepted.
Follow the instructions of the invigilators at all times. Ask them before the exam starts if you are unsure about equipment, software, or saving your work.
Phones and other electronic devices are usually not allowed at the exam desk. Confirm with the provider what the rule is and where devices must be handed in.
Use only the programs, files, and internet access that the provider allows. Confirm with the provider which resources are permitted for this practical exam.
If you need to leave the room during the exam, for example for a toilet break, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Confirm with the provider what the break rules are at your location.
If technical problems occur, report them immediately and do not try to fix the computer yourself. Follow the invigilator's instructions; confirm with the provider how technical problems are handled.
Scoring is based on the official marking scheme for the exam. Confirm with the provider how partial credit is awarded and how your work must be saved or submitted to be marked.
Keep your work and answers to yourself during and after the exam. Do not share files or answers with other candidates; confirm with the provider what the rules say about discussing the exam afterwards.