S+SNZ Geodetic Survey exam-day guide
S+SNZ Geodetic Survey · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, current photo ID in the name you registered under. If your registration name differs slightly from your ID, confirm with the provider before test day how to resolve it; do not assume a correction can be made at the venue.
Confirmation of booking and test details
Carry a printed or offline copy of your booking confirmation, including venue address, start time, and any candidate number. Save the provider's contact number in your phone in case of transport problems.
Admission requirements and permitted materials
Confirm with the provider exactly what is permitted in the test room: whether annotated standards, formula sheets, calculators, or reference extracts are allowed, and in what form. Requirements vary by session, so check your own booking rather than relying on what other candidates report.
Approved calculator and spare batteries
If calculators are permitted, bring a model that meets the provider's rules and a spare power source. Confirm with the provider whether programmable or graphing calculators are excluded and whether a calculator is supplied at the desk.
Writing instruments and non-programmable extras
Bring several pens or pencils, an eraser, and a scale or straightedge if the provider permits them. Keep them in a clear container if the venue requires transparent storage.
Knowledge of the assessment format
Re-read the provider's current assessment specification so you know the number of items, time allocation, and whether any part is practical, oral, or portfolio-based. Do not rely on second-hand descriptions of the format.
Personal timing plan
Decide in advance how many minutes you will spend per item or section and when you will move on. Practise this plan under timed conditions in the final days so the pacing is automatic.
Travel and arrival plan
Confirm the venue location, entry point, and arrival time with the provider, and plan to arrive with margin for delays. Check local transport disruptions the day before.
Personal needs and medication
Bring any medication or personal items you need, and confirm with the provider in advance whether they may be taken into the test room and whether supervised breaks are available.
Access or special arrangements confirmation
If you requested adjustments, bring written confirmation of what has been approved and confirm with the provider whom to speak to on arrival. Do not assume adjustments will be applied without confirmation.
Refreshment plan
Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk and whether breaks are scheduled. Plan hydration and a light meal so hunger does not affect concentration in a long session.
Contact details for the provider
Have the provider's contact number and email available offline, so you can report a delay or emergency before the start time. needs_review: confirm the correct contact channel and any cut-off time for late arrival.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, start time, permitted materials, and any approved adjustments with the provider in writing. Download or print your booking confirmation and check that the name matches your photo ID.
Run one full timed practice session under conditions close to the real thing: same calculator, same permitted references, no interruptions. Review errors by topic rather than re-reading everything.
Check travel arrangements and identify a backup route. Confirm the weather forecast and any planned transport works that could affect arrival.
Do a targeted review of your weakest two or three topics, focusing on method selection and common arithmetic or unit errors. Write a one-page summary of formulas and procedures you will use.
Pack the checklist items in one bag. Charge devices, fit spare batteries, and place ID and confirmation at the top of the bag.
Do a short, light review only, then stop. Confirm your alarm, sleep schedule, and meal plan. Avoid learning new material or working late.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early, and re-check that ID, confirmation, and permitted materials are with you. Leave non-permitted items at home or in secure storage.
Follow venue sign-in procedures, listen to the supervisor's briefing, and check that your desk materials match what the provider permits. Raise any discrepancy with the supervisor before the start, not during the test.
Read the instructions and item counts first, then apply your timing plan. Answer the straightforward items first, mark uncertain ones, and return to them. Show working where marks may be awarded for method, and check units and significant figures before submitting.
Use the remaining time to check that every item has an answer, that your name and candidate details are correct, and that you have not left a section blank. Submit or hand in according to the supervisor's instructions.
Rules to check
Bring only materials the provider permits. Confirm with the provider in advance whether annotated standards, formula sheets, or calculators are allowed, and leave anything unconfirmed outside the test room.
Present the photo ID you registered with and sign in as directed. If your identification does not match your booking, confirm with the provider how to proceed; do not assume the supervisor can amend records on the day.
Follow all supervisor instructions on seating, materials, and communication. Do not talk to other candidates once the test has begun, and raise hand for a supervisor if you need assistance.
Confirm the provider's policy on breaks, including whether you may leave the room, whether the clock stops, and whether supervised breaks are available. Do not rely on assumptions about rest breaks in a long session.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider where they should be kept during the test.
Understand how the assessment is scored before you sit it, including whether marks are awarded for method, how sections are weighted, and what the pass standard is. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on other candidates.
If you believe there is an error in an item or a disturbance during the test, note it and report it to the supervisor at the time or through the provider's stated process afterwards. Confirm the provider's procedure for appeals or special consideration in advance.
Do not attempt to reproduce, share, or discuss the content of the assessment afterwards in any way that breaches the provider's confidentiality rules. Confirm with the provider what may and may not be discussed.