ECAT exam-day guide
ECAT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed admission ticket / hall ticket
Print the admission document from your candidate portal and keep a spare copy. Exact format and whether a printout is mandatory must be confirmed with the provider.
Valid photo ID
Carry the original government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether photocopies are allowed.
Permitted stationery
Bring black/blue ballpoint pens and a pencil plus eraser if your exam uses optical answer sheets. Confirm the exact permitted items with the provider, since some centres supply materials.
No prohibited electronics
Leave phones, smartwatches, calculators, and earbuds at home or in the designated storage area. Confirm the provider's policy on calculators and any allowed devices.
Know your reporting time and venue
Note the reporting time, gate-closing time, and full address of the test centre from your admission ticket. Late entry rules must be confirmed with the provider.
Plan transport and arrive early
Rehearse the route and aim to reach the centre well before the reporting time to absorb traffic or security delays.
Light snack and water
Bring a small snack and clear water for before or after the test. Confirm whether food or drink is allowed inside the test hall.
Simple, comfortable clothing
Wear plain, comfortable clothes and avoid metal-heavy accessories that could slow security screening. Confirm any dress-code requirements with the provider.
Rest and sleep plan
Protect your sleep in the nights before the exam; avoid last-minute all-night cramming.
Emergency contact and backup cash
Carry a little cash and a phone number for a family member in case of transport issues, keeping the phone stored away during the test as required.
Plan the day
Confirm exam date, reporting time, and venue from your admission ticket; verify ID documents and print spares. Re-read the provider's instructions on permitted and prohibited items.
Do a light revision of high-yield topics and one timed practice set; stop introducing brand-new material.
Rehearse the route to the centre and estimate travel time; arrange transport and, if needed, accommodation.
Pack your bag with ticket, ID, and permitted stationery. Lay out clothes. Do a final short review only, then rest.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and set two alarms. Sleep at your usual time.
Eat a light breakfast, re-check your bag, and leave with buffer time to arrive before the reporting time.
At the centre, follow security and ID checks, locate your seat, and settle in. Keep calm and focus on the first section.
Read instructions carefully, budget time per section, answer easier questions first, and mark uncertain answers for review if the interface allows it.
Watch the clock, leave time to transfer answers to the answer sheet or review flagged items, and avoid spending too long on any single question.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID that matches your registration; entry may be refused without it. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Gates may close before the test begins, and late entry policies must be confirmed with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, or other unauthorised electronics into the test hall; store them as directed by centre staff.
Follow all invigilator instructions and centre rules on calculators, stationery, and personal items. Confirm the exact permitted list with the provider.
Maintain exam integrity: no talking, no sharing materials, and no looking at others' work. Suspected misconduct can lead to disqualification.
Use restroom and water breaks only as permitted by centre staff; confirm the provider's break policy before the exam.
Understand the scoring and negative-marking rules for your exam in advance; confirm whether unanswered or wrong answers affect your score.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency on the day, inform centre staff immediately and follow their guidance.