Exam Day Tips for IGCSE & A Level
Practical advice to help you perform your best on exam day. Covers what to bring, time management, MCQ and written paper strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.
IGCSE & A Level All Subjects
What to Bring
Essential
- Black or dark blue pens (bring spares)
- Pencil and eraser (for graphs and diagrams)
- Ruler (15 cm or 30 cm)
- Calculator (if allowed for your paper)
- Student ID / candidate number
- Water bottle (clear, no label)
Subject-Specific
- - Maths: Scientific calculator, protractor, compass
- - Physics: Calculator, protractor (for ray diagrams)
- - Chemistry: Calculator (for mole calculations)
- - Biology: Coloured pencils (for diagrams, optional)
Not allowed: Phone, smartwatch, notes, correction fluid (Tipp-Ex). Check your exam centre's rules.
Time Management
The Marks-per-Minute Rule
Work out how long you have per mark before the exam starts. This tells you exactly how much time each question deserves.
Example: Paper 4 — 80 marks in 75 minutes
75 ÷ 80 = ~1 minute per mark
A 6-mark question deserves ~6 minutes. A 2-mark question gets ~2 minutes. Stick to this strictly.
Practical Tips
- 1. Read the whole paper first (2-3 minutes). Note which questions you're confident on.
- 2. Answer your strongest questions first to secure easy marks.
- 3. If stuck for more than 2 minutes on a question, move on and come back.
- 4. Leave 5 minutes at the end to check your answers.
- 5. Never leave a question blank — attempt everything.
MCQ Paper Strategy
How to Approach MCQs
- 1. Read the question carefully — many mistakes come from misreading what's being asked.
- 2. Eliminate wrong answers — crossing out options narrows your choice and improves your odds.
- 3. Watch for "NOT" and "EXCEPT" — these words flip what you're looking for.
- 4. Check units — especially in Physics and Chemistry calculations. The answer might be correct but in the wrong units.
- 5. Never leave blanks — there's no negative marking. A guess gives you a 25% chance.
Common MCQ Traps
- ! Calculation errors: Writing down intermediate steps avoids silly mistakes.
- ! Distractor answers: The most common wrong answer is often designed to catch a specific misconception.
- ! Changing answers: Only change if you're sure — your first instinct is usually right unless you find a clear error.
- ! Rushing the last few: Budget time so you're not guessing at the end. Aim for ~1 minute per question.
Want to practise? Try our past paper MCQs with detailed explanations, or read our MCQ mistake guides.
Written Paper Strategy
Maximising Marks
- 1. Match points to marks: A 3-mark question needs 3 distinct points. Don't write one point in three different ways.
- 2. Show all working: In calculations, method marks are available even if your final answer is wrong.
- 3. Use precise terminology: "Diffusion" not "spreading out". "Deceleration" not "slowing down". Vague language loses marks.
- 4. Answer the command word: "Explain" needs a reason. "Describe" needs what happens. "State" just needs the fact. See our command words guide.
Graphs, Diagrams & Calculations
- - Graphs: Label axes with quantity AND unit. Use a ruler for straight lines. Plot points accurately — don't "connect the dots" through anomalies.
- - Diagrams: Use a sharp pencil. Label clearly with lines (not arrows) that touch the part. Don't shade unless asked.
- - Calculations: Write the formula first, then substitute values, then calculate. Always include units in your final answer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- - Confusing mass and weight
- - Forgetting to convert units (g to kg, cm to m)
- - Writing "it" instead of naming the specific substance or particle
- - Not balancing chemical equations
- - Mixing up "increase" and "decrease" in trends
- - Drawing diagrams without labels
Mathematics
- - Not reading the question carefully (e.g., "give your answer to 3 significant figures")
- - Sign errors in algebra (especially with negatives)
- - Forgetting to check if an answer is sensible
- - Mixing up area and perimeter formulas
- - Not showing working (method marks can't be given)
- - Calculator in wrong mode (degrees vs radians)
The Night Before Checklist
Do
- Review key formulas and definitions — use our formula sheets
- Pack everything you need (pens, calculator, ID)
- Set two alarms
- Go through a few flashcards on your weakest topics
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep
Don't
- Try to learn new topics — it's too late and will increase anxiety
- Stay up past midnight studying
- Do a full past paper — light review only
- Panic about topics you don't know — focus on what you do know
- Consume excessive caffeine
Revision Resources
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