What to pack, what to leave at home and why you should carry three pens.
Exam morning is the wrong time to find out your pen skips. Pack the night before with this list.
Pens
Carry three of the same pen so your handwriting stays consistent if one runs out. Choose a pen you have used for at least two weeks. Quick-drying gel or a 0.5 mm rollerball works for most students.
Pencils and erasers
Two sharpened HB pencils, one eraser and a sharpener. A mechanical pencil is useful for diagrams, but keep a wooden one as a backup.
Geometry
A compass with a tight hinge, a protractor, two set squares and a 15 cm scale. Check the compass pencil is sharp.
The pouch and the board
Most boards allow only transparent pouches and plain clipboards. Remove any paper from the pouch before you leave home.
What to leave behind
Erasable pens, correction fluid and highlighters are not allowed on answer sheets in most board exams. Check your admit card for the rules.
