NZ Scholarship Geography exam-day guide
NZ Scholarship Geography · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission slip
needs_review - confirm with the provider whether you must print the admission slip or may show a digital copy, and check the venue, report time, and session time on it.
Photo ID
needs_review - confirm accepted ID forms with the provider and whether expired ID is accepted. Carry the original document, not a photocopy.
Blue or black pens
Bring at least two working pens plus a spare. Write legibly; confirm with the provider whether correction fluid or tape is permitted.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Use for diagrams, field sketches, map annotation, and rough planning. Keep them in a clear bag if the venue requires it.
Ruler
Useful for scale bars, cross-sections, flow lines, and neat field sketches. Confirm whether any specialised drawing equipment is allowed.
Coloured pencils
needs_review - confirm with the provider whether colour is permitted or expected in maps and diagrams. If allowed, bring a small set and keep it inside your approved equipment.
Calculator
needs_review - confirm whether a calculator is permitted for Scholarship Geography and which models are approved. Do not bring one if it is not on the approved list.
Clear water bottle
needs_review - confirm venue policy on drinks. If allowed, use a clear bottle with labels removed and keep it on the floor, not on the desk.
Non-smart watch
needs_review - confirm whether a watch is allowed. Use a watch with no smart features to pace sections; do not rely on a phone.
Travel and emergency plan
Know your route, backup transport, and reporting time. Aim to arrive early with time to spare; carry an emergency contact number but keep your phone off and stored during the exam.
Command-word and format review
Do: revise the command words used in Geography (describe, explain, analyse, evaluate, justify) and the required answer format. Confirm the current exam format and duration with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics with the provider: venue, report time, ID requirements, approved equipment, and whether calculators or coloured pencils are allowed. Build a one-page summary of key geographic concepts, named case studies, and fieldwork evidence. Practise two or three timed answers using command words, focusing on explanation and evaluation rather than recall alone.
Prepare your equipment bag and check every item against the approved list. Protect your sleep schedule: avoid all-nighters, eat normally, and do light exercise. Do not start a large new topic; consolidate what you already know.
Pack your bag at the door: admission slip, photo ID, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, approved extras, water bottle if allowed, and watch if allowed. Re-read the admission details and check transport. Set two alarms.
Do light review only: command words, case-study evidence, diagram conventions, and map skills. Stop studying early enough to sleep at your normal time. Avoid too much caffeine or a heavy late meal.
Eat breakfast, arrive early, and use the bathroom before entering. Turn your phone off and store it as instructed. Keep your admission slip and photo ID accessible. Listen carefully to supervisor instructions and read the front of the paper before starting.
Read all questions first and allocate time by marks. Plan each answer briefly, use geographic terminology, and support claims with specific named places, case studies, or fieldwork evidence. Use labelled diagrams with scale and direction where they add value.
For Scholarship-level answers, show analysis and evaluation: link processes across scales, compare alternatives, and acknowledge limitations or differing perspectives. Do not just describe. Leave 5–10 minutes to check question numbers, legibility, units, and that all required questions are answered.
Rules to check
Follow all supervisor instructions. Once you enter the exam room, do not communicate with other candidates except through the supervisor.
Carry your admission slip and photo ID. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether you must place them on the desk.
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Do not keep any unauthorised device on your person or desk.
Bring only approved equipment. Confirm with the provider whether calculators, coloured pencils, correction tape, and water bottles are permitted; if in doubt, leave the item out.
Do not share materials, look at another candidate’s work, or take any material into the room that could give you an unfair advantage. Malpractice can lead to cancellation of results.
Breaks and toilet access are at the supervisor’s discretion. Confirm the venue’s procedure before the exam; do not leave the room without permission.
Scholarship Geography is externally marked. Results are reported in Scholarship bands; confirm the current band names, scoring approach, and any eligibility rules with the provider.