This section gives you some tips and advice on what to expect on the day of your exam.
Please read all information carefully, go through Summary regulation and notice to candidates attached down below. If there is anything you do not understand, ask your teacher or send us a message.
The written exams
- Take a ball-pen, your passport/ID and your confirmation of entry with you to the exam. The British Council will provide you with pencils and erasers
- We strongly advise you not to bring any valuable items to the examination as you will not be allowed to keep any personal items with you (bags, mobile phones, coats etc)
- You are not allowed access to your mobile phones, tablets or any electronic items for the duration of the entire exam. This means that in the breaks between components you are not allowed to access these items
- Find out in advance how much time you will need to get to the place where the exam will take place. If you arrive late, it may regrettably mean that you will not be allowed to take the exam
- Be at the exam venue at least 30 minutes before the set time for the written exams
Mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices during the examination.
To protect exam integrity and prevent disruption, you are not allowed to take mobile phones or any other electronic items into the exam room while under test conditions. Electronic items include mobile phones, iPods, iPads, tablets, e-readers, laptops, smart watches and any other devices on which notes could be accessed, data received or transmitted during an exam session.
These electronic items must be placed in a designated area outside the exam room before the start of the first written component and must not be accessed again until after the last written component of the exam day. You must not have access to these electronic items during breaks.
The British Council will store your mobile phones, tables and any electronic devices brought into the examination room. You will be allowed to collect them only after the entire time for the exam has elapsed.
Any incidences of candidates using electronic devices during the entire exam period will lead to the disqualification of the candidate involved.
What identification document do I need to bring with me?
Candidates 15 years an over are obliged prove their identity, using one of the following documents:
- Czech and Slovak citizens - national identity card / passport / driving licence
- other European citizens - national identity card / passport
- outside European Union - passport only
Candidates under 15 years are obliged to prove their identity using one of the following documents:
- Czech citizens - passport / transport season ticket with a photo
- other European citizens - national identity card / passport
- outside European Union - passport only
When a candidate is unable to produce satisfactory proof of identity, theCandidate identification form must be completed in advance and sent to the registration centre before the examination. To do so, you can download the form below.
Unfortunately, candidates without valid ID will not be allowed to sit the test. For more details see the downloads section below.
What I am permitted to take to the testing room?
You must bring:
- your identification document, confirmation of entry and a pen
You may also bring:
- a bottle of water
- tissues
- medicine
The speaking exams
- Take your passport/ID and confirmation of entry.
- Find out in advance how much time you will need to get to the place where the exam will take place. If you arrive late, it can regrettably happen that you will not be allowed to take the exam.
- Be at the exam venue at least 15 minutes before the set of the speaking part.
Why do you take my photograph?
The test day photo is a regulation introduced by the University of Cambridge in order to further enhance the security and integrity of the Cambridge Exams and the verification of their results. It is mandatory only for the Cambridge English: First (FCE), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) exams. This doesn't include the "for Schools" exams.
- Your photo can be taken on either the day of the speaking test or the day of the written test by the registration centre
- A passport-style photo of you will be taken
- No-one will be able to access your picture unless you give them access to it
- Your photo will be stored by Cambridge Assessment English (not locally), and is only visible on the secure Results Verification Service. Photos are treated as confidential, like all your other personal information and fully comply with UK data protection laws
- Result Verification Service is used by universities, immigration authorities and other professional organisations to verify a candidate’s result. You choose which of these organisations can see your photo, by giving them your ID number and secret number which are on your Confirmation of Entry (timetable)
- Photos are only required for the Cambridge English: First (FCE), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) exams. This doesn't include the "for schools" versions as those are designed for children whose photos can change and results of these exams are not needed for immigration purposes
- Test day photo is introduced primarily to enhance the security of the examination for example as protection against imposter candidates
All candidates under 18 years of age must provide a parent or legal guardian’s consent to be photographed. To do so, you can download the form below. Please bring a signed copy of the document for both the written and speaking part of the exam.
Reporting of Incidents
If something happens during the exam that may have affected your performance (e.g. if you were ill during the test or if a loud noise affected your Listening test) you must inform the centre Supervisor / Invigilator immediately.