PACT exam-day guide
PACT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. Exactly which forms are accepted (passport, driver's licence, national ID card) and whether a secondary ID is required varies by test centre and provider - confirm with the provider before test day. An expired or photocopied ID is the most common reason candidates are turned away.
Admission confirmation or appointment number
Print or save offline a copy of your booking confirmation showing the test date, time, and centre address. Some centres ask to see it at reception; others do not, but having it costs nothing and resolves any booking discrepancy quickly.
Know your exact reporting time and centre entrance
Reporting time is usually earlier than the start time to allow for check-in and ID verification. Large venues and business parks often have several entrances, so check which one is used for testing. The interval between reporting and start time is set by the provider - confirm with the provider.
Travel plan with a buffer
Plan to arrive with spare time rather than exactly on time. Identify a backup route and check for planned engineering works, road closures, or public holidays that affect transport on the day. Late arrival can mean refused admission with no refund, but the exact cut-off is provider-specific - confirm with the provider.
Permitted items only - check the list
Many providers supply scratch paper and a pen and prohibit bringing your own. What is allowed into the testing room (water in a clear bottle, tissues, medication, mobility aids, religious headwear) varies, so request the current permitted-items list from the provider and plan around it.
Storage plan for phone and valuables
Phones must normally be switched off and stored outside the testing room; smart watches and fitness trackers are usually treated the same way. Lockers are often available but not guaranteed. Decide in advance what you will leave at home or in your accommodation.
Approved accommodations confirmed in writing
If you have an approved adjustment (extra time, separate room, rest breaks, screen-reader or other access arrangement), carry the written approval and confirm the centre has it on file. Arrangements not requested and approved in advance are generally not granted on the day.
Refreshed on the test interface and format
Review the provider's official tutorial or demo of the delivery platform so navigation, flagging, and review functions are familiar. Note the number of questions and section timings from your own booking confirmation rather than relying on memory or forum posts.
Break and timing strategy decided
Know in advance whether breaks are scheduled or optional and whether the clock stops during them. The answer affects pacing, so confirm the break policy for your specific test with the provider before the day.
Score-report and retake rules understood
Read how and when results are released, how long they stay valid, and how many attempts are permitted within a given period. These terms differ between providers and change over time - confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Practical comfort items
Layer clothing you can adjust, since room temperature is outside your control, and eat a normal meal beforehand. Avoid heavy caffeine or unfamiliar food on test morning. Any food or drink in the testing room is subject to the permitted-items rules above.
Evening-before logistics check
Set two alarms, confirm the centre address and travel time once more, and prepare ID, confirmation, and clothing in one place. Stop studying early enough to sleep; a rested candidate outperforms a last-minute crammer on almost every practical exam.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Re-read your own summary notes, error log, and the official format description for each section. Take one timed practice set under realistic conditions, then spend more time reviewing mistakes than scoring them. Confirm your appointment details, centre address, and reporting time, and re-check the permitted-items and ID rules with the provider if anything is unclear.
Resolve every remaining logistics question: travel route, backup route, parking or transit fares, and where you will leave your phone. Confirm any approved accommodations are recorded. Prepare the exact clothing and items you will take and place your ID and confirmation in your bag now, not on the morning.
Do light review only - key formulas, definitions, or frameworks, not new material. Do not attempt a full mock exam; a poor late score damages confidence without improving performance. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep. Check one final time that your ID is valid and matches your registered name.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate normally rather than excessively. Leave earlier than your planning suggests, carrying only permitted items plus your ID and confirmation. On arrival, follow staff instructions for check-in and ID verification, use the washroom before entering the testing room, and switch off and store your phone as directed.
Read the on-screen instructions and complete any tutorial carefully so you understand navigation, how to flag items, and how to review before submitting. Note the time limit and question count, then set a rough pace. If scratch material is provided, use it to jot timings or key facts rather than re-deriving everything.
Work at a steady pace and do not let one hard question consume time meant for several easier ones - mark it, move on, and return if time allows. Answer every question unless the scoring rules penalise incorrect answers, which you should confirm with the provider beforehand. Use scheduled breaks as intended and stay aware of the clock.
Use remaining time to check that no questions are unanswered and that flagged items have been reviewed. Confirm the submission process with the invigilator if unsure. After the test, note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh, and check your confirmation for how and when results will be released.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo identification matching your registered name exactly. Name mismatches, expired documents, and photocopies typically result in refused admission; the accepted ID list is provider-specific, so confirm with the provider.
Arrive by your stated reporting time. Late arrivals may be refused entry and may forfeit the fee, but the exact cut-off and any discretion applied are set by the provider - confirm with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.
Electronic devices, including phones, smart watches, and fitness trackers, must normally be switched off and stored outside the testing room. Unauthorised items in the room can lead to removal from the test or invalidation of results.
Follow all invigilator instructions and do not communicate with other candidates once in the testing room. Any form of assistance, unauthorised material, or attempt to record test content is treated as misconduct and may void your result.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules: some tests have scheduled breaks, others offer optional ones, and the clock may or may not stop. Confirm the break policy and whether food, drink, or medication can be accessed during them with the provider.
Scoring rules differ between tests - some penalise incorrect answers, others do not. Confirm the scoring method for your exam with the provider before deciding whether to guess on unanswered items.
Approved accommodations are granted only when requested and approved in advance. Bring written confirmation if you have one, and raise any problem with centre staff immediately rather than after the test.
Results, score validity periods, and retake limits are set by the provider and change over time. Confirm the current terms with the provider and keep your confirmation safe, as you may need it to access or query your result.