VWO Wiskunde A exam-day guide
VWO Wiskunde A · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring your valid ID and exam admission letter
Confirm with the provider which ID is accepted and whether the admission letter must be printed or can be shown digitally. Keep both together the night before.
Bring a graphic calculator (GR) with charged batteries
The VWO Wiskunde A exam assumes a graphing calculator. Confirm with the provider which models are permitted and whether a backup calculator is allowed. Replace or carry spare batteries.
Bring a Binas or other approved information booklet if allowed
Check the official regulations for the exact edition and whether it is provided at the exam location or you must bring your own. Confirm with the provider.
Bring pens, pencils, eraser, and a ruler
Use blue or black ink for written answers; pencil for graphs and sketches. A ruler is useful for tables and coordinate axes.
Bring a watch or know the time
Phones must be off and stored away, so a simple watch helps you track time without relying on the room clock.
Know the exact start time and location
Confirm the room and arrival time with your school or the provider. Plan to arrive well before the start; late arrival rules vary, so confirm with the provider.
Review the formula overview and calculator skills
Be able to find formulas quickly and use your calculator for tables, graphs, intersections, and statistical calculations. Do not rely on programs or notes; confirm with the provider what is allowed.
Practice with the official exam format and timing
Use past papers or official sample materials to get used to the question style, number of questions, and time pressure. Confirm with the provider which materials are current.
Prepare a transparent pencil case and no smart devices
Smartwatches, phones, and earbuds are not allowed at the exam table. Confirm with the provider where to store them.
Plan food, drink, and medication
Bring water in a clear bottle if permitted and any necessary medication. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the exam room.
Check whether a dictionary is permitted
For some candidates a dictionary may be allowed. Confirm with the provider; do not assume.
Read the official exam regulations one more time
Rules on calculator models, allowed aids, and conduct can change. Confirm with the provider or your school before exam day.
Plan the day
Make a one-page summary of key Wiskunde A topics: statistics (mean, median, box plots, normal distribution), probability, exponential and logarithmic growth, differentiation and optimisation, and linear programming if applicable. Do a timed practice paper under exam conditions and review mistakes. Check your calculator settings and batteries, and confirm the exam location and start time with your school or the provider.
Light review only: formula overview, calculator skills, and a few worked examples. Prepare your bag with ID, admission letter, calculator, pens, ruler, and approved booklet. Set an alarm and plan transport. Get a full night's sleep. Avoid learning new topics.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early. Keep your phone off and stored. Check that your calculator is working. Use the time before the start to settle down; do not cram new material. Follow the invigilator's instructions.
Read the whole paper briefly and note the mark allocation. Start with questions you are confident about. Show your working: method marks are awarded even if the final answer is wrong. Use your calculator for graphs and tables, but write down intermediate steps. Keep an eye on time and leave a few minutes to check that you have answered every question and that your calculator answers are in the required form.
Rules to check
Bring a valid ID and your admission letter. Confirm with the provider which documents are required and whether digital copies are accepted.
Only permitted aids may be on your table: a graphing calculator of an approved model, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, and an approved information booklet if allowed. Confirm with the provider which calculator models and booklets are permitted.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored away. Do not keep them on your person during the exam.
Arrive on time. Late arrival may be handled differently depending on the provider; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider or your school.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for permission; confirm with the provider how toilet breaks are handled.
Write your answers clearly and show your working. Answers without sufficient working may receive fewer marks, even if the final answer is correct.
Scoring is based on the official mark scheme. Method marks are awarded for correct steps; check that your final answer is given in the requested form and units.
At the end of the exam, stop writing when instructed and hand in all materials. Do not take the question paper or answer sheet out of the room unless the invigilator says it is allowed.