In-person assessment logistics

Prepare the permitted kit for an in-person exam

An exam-day kit should be based on the assessment instructions, not on what was allowed in your last exam. Identification, stationery, calculators and stored belongings can be handled differently across institutions and modules. Check the details early enough to replace a missing essential or clarify an uncertain rule.

Oxford's in-person exam guidance includes specific instructions for identification and candidate details, while Leeds provides revision and exam resources. These are examples of institutional guidance. Your own timetable and examination instructions determine what you need to bring and how the room will operate.

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Verify the timetable entry

Check the module, date, start time, venue and room against the official timetable. Look for updated notices rather than relying on a screenshot saved at the start of term. Record the route and the entrance you need, especially if the assessment takes place in an unfamiliar building.

Plan travel with a reasonable margin based on the actual journey. Check local transport information near the date if you depend on it. If you have approved access or exam arrangements, confirm the specified venue and reporting process with the university rather than assuming they match the standard timetable.

List only permitted equipment

Read the rules for pens, pencils, calculators, rulers, dictionaries and other materials relevant to the module. Check whether a calculator must be a particular type or satisfy a stated condition. Do not infer approval from a product description saying it is suitable for exams.

Pack the required stationery and check that it works. If spare items are permitted, choose a small practical set. Confirm any restrictions on cases, packaging or annotations. Keep notes and revision materials separate from the equipment intended for the desk so you can store them as instructed.

Prepare identification and candidate information

Find the identification specified by the institution and check that it is available. If the exam uses a candidate number or another identifier, learn where to retrieve it and how it should be entered. Follow the instructions about anonymity rather than putting personal details on every page by habit.

If identification is missing or a detail appears wrong, contact the relevant university team before the day where possible. Keep their response accessible. Avoid assuming that a photograph or another document will be accepted without confirmation; the institution must tell you how to proceed.

Know how belongings and questions are handled

Read the instructions for phones, watches, bags, drinks and other belongings. Plan where you will put items that cannot be on the desk. Follow the invigilator's directions in the room. Do not rely on what a friend was permitted to do in another assessment.

Find out the process for asking for assistance, reporting an issue or leaving the desk. If a question appears unclear, follow the exam's stated procedure. Keep this separate from academic preparation: knowing the room process reduces avoidable uncertainty but does not change the conditions under which answers must be produced.

Use a final check without creating a ritual

The day before, compare the packed kit with the official list and confirm the journey. Keep the essentials together so departure does not depend on finding a calculator or card at the last moment. Use an ordinary bag you can manage within the venue's rules rather than purchasing special equipment without a requirement.

After the exam, note any practical issue that should be fixed before the next one. Recheck module-specific rules instead of assuming the same kit works throughout the examination period. A small, verified set of permitted items is easier to manage than a bag filled with things brought solely because they might be useful.

Your next steps

Confirm the official time, venue and any individual arrangements.
Check module-specific equipment rules.
Locate the required identification and candidate details.
Pack only the items permitted for the exam setup.

Products and offer records

Relevant records in the Tailored Deals catalogue

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Sources and further help

Sources were consulted on 5 September 2026. Provider terms and services can change; check your exact booking, product or university service.

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