Firstwords exam-day guide
Firstwords · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type and name spelling your registration requires. If your registration confirmation is unclear about acceptable ID, confirm with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation and test-centre address
Save a screenshot of your booking and the check-in time. Verify the address and transport route the day before; arrival and late-arrival cutoffs vary by site, so confirm with the provider if your confirmation does not state them.
Login credentials for the delivery platform
If your sitting is remote-proctored, test your username, password, and any multi-factor step in advance. Password resets on test day can cost you minutes you will not get back.
System and equipment check (remote sittings)
Run the provider's equipment or compatibility check on the same computer, camera, microphone, and network you will use. Confirm with the provider whether a wired connection or a backup device is required.
Permitted materials list
Find out in advance whether scratch paper, a pen, a calculator, or a formula sheet is allowed, and whether the provider supplies them. Do not assume anything is permitted; confirm with the provider.
Personal items plan
Most testing rooms restrict bags, phones, and watches. Plan where these will go, since storage may be limited or unavailable at some sites. Confirm with the provider what storage is offered.
Break and timing expectations
Know roughly how long the sitting runs and whether breaks are scheduled or optional. Break rules and whether the clock stops differ between providers, so confirm with the provider.
Scoring and result-release basics
Understand the score scale and when results are typically released before you sit, so you are not surprised afterwards. Exact timelines are provider-specific; confirm with the provider.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, these are usually requested well before test day. If you have not already arranged them, contact the provider immediately.
Water, snack, and medication plan
Check the provider's policy on drinks, snacks, and necessary medication before the sitting. Do not bring items you have not confirmed are allowed into the testing room.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge your devices, and lay out your ID and confirmation. Protect your sleep; fatigue costs more points than one extra hour of cramming.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Review your own error log and the areas you have repeatedly missed, and do short timed sets to keep pacing sharp. Confirm your appointment details, ID requirements, and permitted materials with the provider if anything is unclear. Check travel or remote-setup logistics so test day has no unknowns.
Do one light review pass over summaries and formulas, then stop. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Run a final equipment check if you are testing remotely. Set alarms and aim for a full night's sleep; avoid heavy studying late in the evening.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive early enough to absorb check-in delays, and log in early for remote sittings. Do a brief warm-up of a few easy questions rather than a full practice set, so you are alert but not drained.
Read each question fully before answering, and flag uncertain items to revisit instead of stalling. Watch your pace against the clock and protect time for a final review. If a technical problem occurs, note the time and contact the proctor or provider support immediately rather than troubleshooting silently.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID required by your registration; the name on it should match your booking. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Follow all proctor instructions and room rules. Behaviour that looks like prohibited communication or use of unauthorised materials can lead to your sitting being voided, regardless of intent.
Keep phones, watches, and other devices stowed and silent as directed. Rules on what may be kept at your desk vary, so confirm with the provider if your confirmation does not specify.
Breaks are usually governed by strict rules about leaving the room and whether the clock keeps running. Confirm the break policy with the provider and plan accordingly.
If you test remotely, stay within camera view and follow the proctor's identity and room-scan steps. Leaving the frame or using unapproved applications can end your session.
Scores are reported on the provider's scale, and results timing varies. Do not rely on a specific release date unless the provider has stated it to you directly.
If something goes wrong, such as a technical failure or an interruption, report it to the proctor or provider support at the time and keep a record; post-hoc complaints are harder to resolve.