Fast Stream Tests exam-day guide
Fast Stream Tests · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Accepted ID types vary between online-proctored and test-centre sittings - confirm the exact list with the provider before test day.
Booking confirmation and candidate/reference number
Have the confirmation email or PDF accessible offline (downloaded, not just in your inbox) so you can quote the reference if you need to contact support mid-test.
Working login details, tested in advance
Log in to the test platform at least 24 hours before your slot to confirm your username and password work and that any two-factor code reaches your phone.
A reliable device plus charger
Use a laptop or desktop where possible; close all other browser tabs and applications. Keep the charger plugged in for the whole sitting so a low battery cannot end your test.
Stable internet with a backup option
Know how to tether your phone as a hotspot if your home connection drops, and have the provider's technical-support number written down on paper.
Quiet, well-lit room with a clear desk
Remove notes, books, phones and smart devices from the desk surface unless the instructions explicitly allow them. Tell household members not to enter the room.
Scratch paper and pen - only if permitted
Many numerical and verbal tests allow blank paper for working; some proctored sittings forbid it or require you to show it on camera first. Confirm the rule with the provider.
Calculator - only if permitted
Some numerical tests provide an on-screen calculator, some ban calculators entirely, and some allow a basic one. Confirm which applies to your test before you sit down.
Water in a clear container and a light snack for afterwards
Hydration helps sustained concentration on long batteries of timed questions; eat properly beforehand rather than during the test.
A visible clock or timer
Set a timer for the overall sitting if the platform only shows per-section time, so you are not caught out by an unannounced section change.
Notifications silenced and auto-updates paused
Turn on do-not-disturb, disable pop-up notifications, and postpone operating-system updates so nothing interrupts the session.
Completed practice questions and read the candidate instructions
Work through any official practice or familiarisation material the provider offers so the question formats and navigation are already familiar.
Plan the day
Confirm your slot time in your own time zone, re-read the candidate instructions and technical requirements, and complete the practice tests. Request any reasonable adjustment (extra time, breaks, assistive technology) now - late requests may not be processed.
Do one full timed practice sitting under realistic conditions to check your pacing across sections. Stop heavy practice 24 hours out; further cramming tends to increase anxiety more than scores.
Test your device, browser and internet connection on the exact setup you will use. Charge everything, download your confirmation, and write down the support contact number. Check the room for anything that would breach the rules.
Get a normal night's sleep, eat well, and avoid alcohol. Sleep is the single highest-return preparation for a timed reasoning or judgement test.
Eat a proper meal, avoid starting anything with a fixed end time close to your slot, and log in 15–20 minutes early in case of technical checks or ID verification.
Do a short warm-up (five minutes of easy practice questions, not a full mock) to get into the rhythm, then close everything except the test platform.
Read the instructions screen for timing, navigation and whether you can flag and return to questions. Note whether your test is section-timed (you cannot bank extra time) or whole-test timed.
Keep moving: if a question is stalling you, make your best answer, flag it if the platform allows, and return later. Never leave a blank if there is no penalty for guessing - confirm the marking rule first.
If the platform freezes or disconnects, do not panic-refresh repeatedly. Note the time, screenshot if possible, and contact support using the number you wrote down.
Note anything unusual (technical issues, interruptions) and report it to the provider promptly in writing, as deadlines for raising issues are often short.
Rules to check
Bring and be prepared to show the original photo ID named on your booking; a mismatch between the name on your ID and your registration can bar you from sitting.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials exactly - notes, phones, smart watches, second screens and, in some sittings, calculators or scrap paper may be prohibited and can lead to invalidation.
Do not share, record, screenshot or discuss the test content with others. Selection tests are confidential and breaches are treated as misconduct.
Check the break policy before you start. Many timed test batteries run continuously with no scheduled breaks, while others allow them between sections - confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Check the scoring and retake rules before you begin: whether wrong answers are penalised (guessing strategy depends on it), and whether you may resit within the same recruitment cycle. Confirm with the provider.
Complete the test in one sitting on your own, without help from another person or any AI tool. Remote proctoring and later verification can detect collaboration.
Request any reasonable adjustments (extra time, separate room, assistive technology) well in advance; retroactive adjustments are rarely granted. Confirm the deadline and evidence required with the provider.
If a technical failure affects your performance, report it immediately and in writing with timestamps. Outcomes are much easier to remedy when raised at the time rather than after results are released.