SEE Science & Technology exam-day guide
SEE Science & Technology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document / hall ticket
Print or download the admission document issued by your test provider and check that your name, photo, test date, and test centre match your ID. If you have not received it, or the details are wrong, contact the provider before test day rather than on the morning itself.
Valid photo ID matching your registration
Bring the original ID document in the exact form your registration requires. Do not rely on a photocopy or a digital copy unless the provider explicitly permits it. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Confirmation of test centre location and arrival time
Re-read the provider's instructions on reporting time and gate-closing rules. Arrival cut-offs and late-entry policies vary and are not guessable, so confirm with the provider and plan to arrive with a comfortable margin.
Permitted stationery only
Bring only what the provider lists as allowed. If the test supplies pencils, paper, or a calculator, do not bring your own. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, confirm with the provider in advance; prohibited items are typically confiscated and can lead to a misconduct finding.
Calculator policy checked in advance
Science and technology tests often restrict or supply calculators. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed, which models are permitted, and whether one is provided on screen or on the desk. Do not assume.
Watches, phones, and wearables left at home or stored
Most providers prohibit phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices in the testing room. Plan how you will store them. Do not carry them into the room on the assumption that switching them off is enough; confirm with the provider what storage is available.
Transport and backup plan
Work out the route, an alternative route, and the expected travel time at the hour you will actually travel. Identify a fallback if public transport is disrupted, and note a contact number for the test centre in case of delay.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep, a light meal before the test, and water. Avoid trying new caffeine levels or unfamiliar food on test day. If the test is long, confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled and whether water is allowed at the desk.
Personal medical or access arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or a medical accommodation, confirm in writing that it has been approved and will be in place. Bring any supporting documentation the provider requires. Do not assume an earlier request has been actioned.
Review of the test format and section timings
Know the number of questions, the time per section, whether sections are separately timed, and whether you can move back and forth between questions. Confirm the scoring and guessing policy with the provider if it is not stated in the candidate handbook.
A short, calm pre-test routine
Decide in advance what you will do in the last 30 minutes before entering the room: a brief skim of your own summary notes, a few easy practice items, or simply quiet breathing. Avoid heavy new study that can raise anxiety.
Emergency contact and backup funds
Carry a small amount of money and a phone number for someone who can help if transport fails or you need to leave early. Keep the phone out of the testing room.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own condensed notes, formula sheets, and error log. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook for rules on ID, permitted items, arrival time, and misconduct. Confirm your admission document and ID are in order, and check the test centre location and travel time. Do two or three short timed sets to keep pacing sharp, then stop. Protect sleep: do not trade sleep for last-minute cramming.
Pack your bag with the admission document, ID, and permitted stationery, and place it by the door. Lay out clothes. Confirm your transport plan and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time. Do one light review pass only, focused on common traps and units, then close the books. Do not attempt a full mock test the day before.
Eat a light breakfast and drink water. Leave earlier than your calculated travel time allows. Re-check that you have your admission document and ID before leaving. Arrive at the centre with margin, follow staff instructions, and use any waiting time for calm breathing rather than new study. If something goes wrong, contact the centre immediately instead of arriving late without notice.
Read the instructions and the scoring and guessing rules before starting. Do a quick first pass answering the questions you can handle confidently, and flag the rest. Watch the clock against the number of questions remaining, and never let one hard item consume a disproportionate share of the section. Show your reasoning where working is required, use the units stated, and check that answers are in the requested form. Leave time to transfer or confirm answers if the format requires it. If equipment fails or you feel unwell, raise your hand and tell the invigilator immediately; do not wait until the end.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID required by your registration and the admission document issued by the provider. If the name on your ID differs from your registration, or you lack the required document, confirm with the provider beforehand; admission may be refused on the day.
Arrive by the reporting time stated in the provider's instructions. Late-entry cut-offs are set by the provider and are not negotiable at the door, so confirm the exact rule with the provider rather than assuming.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or other unauthorised electronic devices into the testing room. Follow the provider's storage instructions exactly. Possession of a prohibited device can be treated as misconduct even if it is switched off.
Work only from the materials the provider supplies. Do not communicate with other candidates, look at others' work, or share answers. Talking, passing items, or disruptive behaviour can lead to removal and cancellation of results.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules. Do not leave the room during a timed section unless an invigilator authorises it, and expect to be accompanied or supervised if you do. Confirm the break policy with the provider in advance.
If you believe there is a problem with a question, equipment, or your environment, raise it with the invigilator at the time and ask for it to be recorded. Report it to the provider afterwards as well; complaints raised only after the test are harder to resolve.
Scoring, guessing penalties, and pass marks are set by the provider and can change. Read the current candidate handbook and confirm with the provider whether unanswered questions are penalised before deciding how to guess.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Suspected misconduct can lead to removal from the test and cancellation of results, and providers may apply further sanctions under their own regulations.