PEIC Level 3 (B2) exam-day guide
PEIC Level 3 (B2) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the same ID document you used at registration (typically a passport or national photo ID). The name and spelling must match your booking exactly. If you are unsure which documents your test centre accepts, confirm with the provider before travelling.
Booking confirmation and candidate number
Print or save offline a copy of your confirmation email showing your candidate number, test centre address, and start time. Mobile signal at centres can be unreliable, so an offline copy is safer than relying on email.
Test centre location and travel plan
Check the exact building and entrance in advance, not just the street address. Plan to arrive well before the start time; centres commonly turn away late arrivals, but confirm the specific cut-off with the provider.
Two black or blue pens and a pencil
Bring spares in case one fails. Check with the provider whether the centre supplies stationery or whether you must bring your own for the written sections.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Hydration helps concentration across a long session. Many centres restrict bottles to clear, unlabelled ones; confirm the local rule with the provider.
Watch (optional)
A plain analogue watch helps you pace sections if the room clock is hard to see. Smart watches and any device with connectivity are almost always banned, so leave them at home or in your bag.
Layers of clothing
Exam rooms vary in temperature and you may be seated for a long time. Dress in layers you can remove, and avoid clothing with large slogans or text that could distract invigilators.
No phones or smart devices in the exam room
Switch devices off and store them as instructed, usually in a bag away from your desk. Possession of a phone at the desk is often treated as malpractice regardless of whether it was used.
Confirm break and timing policy
Ask the provider in advance whether supervised or unsupervised breaks are allowed, how long they are, and whether the clock stops during them. Policies differ between centres and sessions.
Confirm permitted materials
Ask whether dictionaries, notes, or calculators are allowed in any section. Do not assume; bring only what the provider has explicitly approved in writing.
Medical or access arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, these are normally arranged in advance with supporting evidence. Confirm with the provider that your arrangements are confirmed for test day.
Review format and section order
Re-read the official format description for your level so you know the order of sections, the approximate timing, and how each part is scored. This reduces surprises on the day.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material and switch to consolidation. Do one timed practice run under exam conditions to check your pacing, then review your error patterns rather than your scores. Re-read the format description so you know exactly what each section asks for. Prepare your ID, confirmation, stationery, and clothing, and check the journey plan including backup routes. Protect sleep: two full nights before the test matter more than a late-night cram.
Confirm the start time, address, and arrival instructions once more, and check for any provider email about room changes. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pens, pencil, water, and layers, and leave it by the door. Do a short, light review of format and common task types only, no new vocabulary lists. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine after midday, and go to bed at your usual time. Set two alarms.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water; a long session with no food hurts attention. Leave earlier than the map suggests to absorb transport delays. On arrival, follow signage, present your ID, and store devices as instructed. Once seated, check your desk, test your pen, breathe slowly, and read the instructions for each section before starting. If something is wrong with your equipment or environment, raise your hand immediately rather than struggling silently.
Read each task fully before writing and watch the clock at set checkpoints rather than constantly. Allocate time according to the marks or weighting of each part, and do not let one difficult item consume the whole section; move on and return if time allows. For writing, plan briefly, keep to the required length and register, and leave a minute to check for obvious errors. For reading and listening, answer every item even when unsure, since unanswered items usually score zero. If you finish early, use the time to check rather than to leave.
Note down which sections felt weak while the memory is fresh, as this guides any future preparation. Ask staff about the results timeline and how results are delivered if this was not stated in your confirmation. Do not discuss specific task content with other candidates in the waiting area.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document specified by the provider and present it on request. If your ID is expired, damaged, or shows a different name from your booking, contact the provider before test day; centres may refuse entry, and the exact rule should be confirmed with the provider.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Late arrival is commonly grounds for refusal or for reduced time, and the cut-off varies by centre, so confirm the specific policy with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or any other connected device into the exam room. Switch them off and store them as instructed; unauthorised devices at the desk are usually treated as malpractice even if unused.
Work only from your own knowledge and the materials the provider permits. Copying from another candidate, passing notes, or using hidden materials is malpractice and can lead to invalidation of results and a ban, so confirm the permitted-materials list in advance.
Follow invigilator instructions at all times, including on seating, leaving the room, and talking. If you need to leave for medical reasons, raise your hand and wait to be accompanied; do not simply walk out.
Check the break policy with the provider before the test. Some sessions allow only supervised breaks, some allow none, and the test clock may or may not stop; plan hydration and restroom visits around the rule you are given.
Answer every item. Unanswered questions normally score zero, and there is usually no penalty for a wrong answer, so make a reasoned choice rather than leaving blanks. Confirm the guessing policy for your specific test with the provider.
Understand how your result is reported and what each section contributes before you sit the test. If you believe a marking or conduct issue affected your performance, report it to the centre on the day and follow the provider's appeals or complaints procedure afterwards.