GCSE exam day checklist

You have done the revision; exam day is about making sure nothing gets in the way of showing what you know. This checklist covers what to bring, what to leave at home, the key exam room rules, and a simple plan for using your time well once the paper is in front of you.

The night before

• Check your timetable. Confirm the date, whether the exam is in the morning or afternoon, the room and your candidate number.
• Pack your bag. Use the checklist below so you are not searching for a calculator in the morning.
• Do a light review, not a cram. Look over key facts, formulae or quotations, then stop.
• Get a good night's sleep. Sleep helps your brain consolidate what you have learned; a late night of cramming usually does more harm than good.

What to bring

What not to bring

The rules for exams in the UK are set out by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) in its information for candidates, which your school will share. The following must not be taken into the exam room, even if they are switched off:

• Mobile phones, earphones or earbuds, tablets, smart glasses and music players
• Watches
• Notes or revision materials

Simply having a banned item with you counts as breaking the rules, even if you do not use it, and breaking the rules can lead to disqualification. Do not use correction fluid or pens, erasable pens, highlighters or gel pens in your answers.

In the exam room

• Arrive early. Aim to be there at least 10 minutes before the start.
• Listen to the invigilator. Follow instructions and do not talk to other candidates once you are in the room.
• Fill in your details first. Name, candidate number and centre number on the front of every booklet and any extra sheets.
• Write only in the answer spaces. If you run out of room, ask for extra paper and label clearly which question you are continuing.
• Do not leave early unless an invigilator tells you that you can.

A plan for the paper

1. Read the instructionsCheck how many questions you need to answer and whether there are any choices.
2. Budget your timeA useful rule is roughly one minute per mark, leaving a few minutes at the end to check.
3. Underline the command wordDescribe, explain, compare and evaluate each need a different kind of answer. See our guide to command words.
4. Do not get stuckIf a question is taking too long, mark it, move on and come back later.
5. Plan longer answersSpend a minute jotting down points before writing extended answers. Our guide to 6 mark questions has a routine you can use.
6. Check at the endLook for unanswered questions, missing units and calculations without working.

Looking after yourself

Feeling nervous is normal and can even help you focus. Eat something before the exam, take a few slow breaths if you feel anxious, and avoid comparing answers with friends afterwards; it rarely helps and can affect your next exam. If something serious affects you on the day, such as illness, tell your school's exams officer as soon as possible; there may be support available.

Frequently asked questions