LO VMBO KB (common core) exam-day guide
LO VMBO KB (common core) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring a valid ID document
Most Dutch exam locations require a valid passport, ID card, or residence permit. Confirm with your school which document types are accepted and whether a copy is allowed.
Check your exam timetable and room number
Your school publishes the personal timetable (rooster) with date, start time, and room. Write down the room and the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time.
Bring pens that write black or blue
Take at least two working ballpoint pens. Some subjects or answer formats may require a specific colour; confirm with the provider.
Bring a pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for multiple-choice answer sheets and for any drawing or rough work. Confirm whether rough work on the answer sheet is allowed.
Bring a simple calculator if the subject allows it
For subjects such as mathematics, a basic calculator may be permitted. Check the official subject rules for the exact type and whether a graphing calculator is banned.
Bring a transparent pencil case or loose items
Some rooms only allow transparent cases. If unsure, carry pens loose in a clear bag and confirm with the provider.
Leave your phone and smartwatch at home or switched off in your bag
Devices must normally be off and out of reach. Having a phone on your person during the exam can be treated as cheating. Confirm the exact rule with your school.
Bring a water bottle without a label
Drinks are usually allowed if the label is removed. Confirm whether drinks are permitted in your exam room.
Bring your own transport plan and arrive early
Plan to arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes before the reporting time so delays do not cost you exam time. Confirm the reporting time with your school.
Check whether you need any approved aids or a dictionary
Some subjects or candidates may use approved aids such as a dictionary. This depends on the subject and your status, so confirm with the provider.
Know how to reach your mentor on the day
Save your mentor's or exam coordinator's number so you can report illness or delays. Confirm the school's absence procedure in advance.
Read the official subject instructions
Check the official rules for each subject on what aids are allowed and how long the exam lasts. Confirm details with the provider if anything is unclear.
Plan the day
Make a final overview of the subjects and topics you find hardest. Do active practice: work through old-style questions and check your answers against the mark scheme. Stop learning brand-new material and focus on consolidating what you already know. Prepare your materials so you are not searching for pens or your calculator at the last minute.
Practise under timed conditions for at least one session, using the same length as the real exam. Review the instructions for each subject, especially how marks are awarded and whether you must show your working. Confirm your timetable, room, and reporting time with your school if you have not already done so.
Pack your bag: ID, pens, pencil, eraser, calculator if allowed, and water. Check your transport and set two alarms. Do a light review of summaries and formulas rather than intensive study. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable time; sleep helps more than late-night cramming.
Eat breakfast and drink water. Leave earlier than strictly necessary. Check you have your ID and pens before you leave. Arrive at the reporting time, find the room, and avoid last-minute discussions that make you anxious. Switch off your phone and put it away before you enter the room.
Read the instructions on the cover and check the number of questions and pages. Fill in your name and candidate number correctly. Scan the whole paper briefly, then start with questions you can answer confidently to build momentum.
Keep an eye on the clock and divide your time across the questions. Show your working where marks are available for it. If a question blocks you, move on and return later. Leave a few minutes at the end to check that you have answered every question and filled in the answer sheet correctly.
Hand in all materials as instructed and do not take the question paper out unless you are told you may. Once outside, avoid comparing answers in a way that unsettles you before your next exam.
Rules to check
Bring a valid ID document and be ready to show it. If you do not have acceptable ID, you may be refused entry; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Arrive at the reporting time set by your school. If you are late, the school decides whether you may still sit the exam and whether you get the full time; confirm the exact late-arrival policy with the provider.
Phones, smartwatches, and other devices must be switched off and out of reach during the exam. Using or merely having an unauthorised device on you can be treated as cheating, so confirm the rules with your school.
Only use aids that are explicitly permitted for that subject, such as a basic calculator or an approved dictionary. Ask the provider in advance if you are unsure whether an aid is allowed.
Follow the invigilator's instructions about breaks, toilet visits, and leaving the room. In most cases you may only leave under supervision, and the exam clock usually keeps running; confirm the break rules with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at anyone else's work. Suspected cheating can lead to invalidation of your result.
Scoring is based on the official mark scheme for the subject. Write clearly and show your working where required, because marks may be awarded for method as well as for the final answer.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact your school as soon as possible. The rules for resits and for reporting illness are set by the provider; confirm the procedure with your school rather than assuming.