HAVO Tehatex exam-day guide
HAVO Tehatex · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring your official invitation/registration letter
Print or save the confirmation from your school or the examination office. It states the time, room and any candidate number you need. If you are unsure what document counts as proof of registration, confirm with the provider (your school's exam coordinator or the examining body) before the day.
Bring valid ID
A passport, ID card or another document accepted by your school. Which IDs are accepted and whether a copy is enough differs per school, so confirm with the provider. Keep it in your bag, not loose on the table.
Bring your own drawing and writing materials
For Tehatex practical work, bring pencils (HB and 2B or similar), an eraser, a sharpener, a ruler, a triangle or set square, a protractor and a pair of compasses. Bring pens for written answers and labelling. Check with your teacher which materials your school supplies and which you must bring yourself.
Bring colour materials if your assignment requires them
Coloured pencils, markers or paint may be needed for rendering and presentation. Ask your teacher in advance what the practical assignment expects, because the school may provide specific materials or forbid certain ones.
Bring a clear pencil case or see-through bag if required
Some schools require transparent bags so invigilators can check materials quickly. Confirm the rule with the provider. Keep only what you need inside so you are not searching during the test.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or switched off in your bag
Phones, smartwatches and earbuds are usually not allowed at the workplace. Even a silent phone can lead to confiscation or a report. Confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Know the room, entrance and start time
Check the location the day before and plan to arrive well before the start. Find out which entrance is open and where bags are stored. If the location is unfamiliar, do a dry run or check the route.
Eat and drink before you start
A practical exam can run for a long block of time. Eat a proper meal beforehand and bring a water bottle if the school allows drinks at the table. Confirm whether drinks are permitted.
Bring a watch if clocks are not visible
You need to pace yourself through preparation, making and finishing. A simple wristwatch without smart functions is usually safe; confirm with the provider whether watches are allowed.
Prepare your workspace routine
Decide in advance how you will lay out tools, keep your work neat and protect wet or fragile parts. A tidy workspace saves time and prevents smudges on drawings and models.
Plan the day
Re-read the assignment brief and the assessment criteria. List the products you must deliver, such as a design drawing, a working model, a material list and a written explanation. Check which tools and materials you are expected to bring and confirm anything unclear with your teacher.
Do a timed dry run of the practical steps you expect: measuring, cutting, joining, finishing and drawing. Note where you lose time and adjust your plan. Practise the drawing conventions and labelling your course uses so they are automatic on the day.
Check your materials and tools: sharp pencils, spare blades if allowed, enough glue, correct dimensions of sheet material. Replace anything worn out. Pack everything in one bag so nothing is forgotten.
Confirm the start time, room and entrance. Prepare your bag with ID, invitation letter, tools and materials. Charge nothing you cannot bring; leave devices out. Get a normal night's sleep rather than cramming.
Write a one-page plan for the exam: rough time blocks for reading the brief, planning, making, checking and finishing. Include a safety check for tools and a final quality check of edges, joints and presentation.
Eat breakfast, arrive early and check in. Keep your bag organised so you can set up quickly. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions about start time, permitted materials and what to do if something breaks or runs out.
Read the whole brief before touching materials. Underline the required dimensions, materials and finish. Make a short written plan with time blocks and a sketch of the order of operations. Ask the invigilator only procedural questions, following the provider's rules.
Work in a logical order: measure twice, mark clearly, cut and shape, then join, then finish. Keep your drawing and your workpiece consistent with each other. Check dimensions after each major step rather than at the end.
Reserve the last part of the time for finishing: sanding, cleaning edges, securing joints and completing labels and notes. Check your work against the brief point by point. Hand in exactly what is requested and leave the workspace tidy.
Rules to check
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. If an instruction seems unclear, ask a procedural question; do not guess about what is allowed.
Bring and show the ID and registration documents your school requires. The exact requirements vary, so confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Use only permitted tools and materials. Ask in advance whether you may bring your own equipment, and do not borrow from other candidates during the test unless the invigilator explicitly allows it.
Keep phones, smartwatches and other connected devices away from your workplace. Confirm the school's device rule with the provider.
Work safely with tools and machines. Use guards and clamps as instructed, keep your hands clear of cutting edges, and report any injury or damaged equipment to the invigilator immediately.
Breaks during a practical exam are usually limited or arranged by the invigilator. Ask beforehand how to request a toilet break and whether the clock stops; confirm the provider's policy.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria for the practical assignment, such as planning, craftsmanship, use of materials, safety and presentation. Ask your teacher which criteria apply to your task rather than assuming.
If you finish early, use the time to check dimensions, joints, finish and labels. Do not leave the room until the invigilator dismisses you, and follow the provider's rules on what may be taken from the room.