The Night-Before Checklist for a Student and Scribe

Preparing for an exam with a scribe involves more than just knowing the material. The night before is the ideal time to align on logistics so both people can focus on the test itself. Exam authorities, schools, and testing bodies set specific rules for accommodations, so always verify current requirements with your institution before relying on any general guide.

Use the checklists below to cover the practical details. Treat them as a starting point for your own night-before routine.

Checklist for the Student (Candidate)

Confirm the Basics

• Exam date, start time, and exact location (building, room number, or virtual link).
• Approved accommodations: extra time, rest breaks, specific software, or paper format.
• Identification and any authorization letters the exam center requires.

Prepare Your Tools

• Pack pens, pencils, erasers, calculator (if permitted), and water in a clear bottle.
• If using a laptop, charge it fully and pack the charger. Disable notifications and updates.
• Print or download your exam timetable and accommodation approval letter.

Plan Your Dictation Strategy

• Review how you will signal punctuation (e.g., "period," "new paragraph," "comma").
• Decide how you will handle spelling: will you spell technical terms letter-by-letter or rely on the scribe’s best effort?
• Practice a few sentences aloud if you haven't worked with this scribe recently.

Rest and Routine

• Eat a familiar dinner. Avoid heavy caffeine or new supplements.
• Set two alarms. Plan your travel route or login time with a 30-minute buffer.
• Aim for a full sleep cycle. A tired brain dictates slower.

Checklist for the Volunteer Scribe

Verify Your Role and Rules

• Re-read the exam authority’s scribe guidelines. Confirm you understand what you cannot do (e.g., prompting, interpreting questions, correcting grammar).
• Confirm you have no conflict of interest (subject tutor, relative, close friend) per the institution’s policy.
• Ensure your ID and any volunteer clearance documents are ready.

Technical and Physical Setup

• If handwriting: bring multiple working pens (black or blue ink as required) and spare paper.
• If typing: test the exam software or secure browser beforehand. Confirm auto-save and font size settings.
• Check the seating arrangement. You need to hear the student clearly without leaning in awkwardly.

Communication Alignment

• Confirm the student’s preferred punctuation commands and spelling protocol.
• Agree on a subtle signal if the student needs you to slow down, repeat the last sentence, or pause.
• Clarify how you will handle diagrams, graphs, or equations: will you draw, or will the student describe coordinates?

Personal Logistics

• Know the parking, transit, or virtual check-in procedure.
• Eat beforehand. Bring water for yourself, but keep it away from exam papers.
• Silence your phone and store it as directed by the invigilator.

Shared Confirmation Message

Send this text or email to each other by early evening. It closes the loop on the night-before exam scribe preparation.

Subject: Confirmed for [Exam Name] Tomorrow

Hi [Name],

Just confirming we are set for tomorrow.

Meeting: [Time] at [Location / Virtual Link] Exam Starts: [Time] My Accommodations: [Extra time % / Rest breaks / Laptop / Paper] My Punctuation Style: [e.g., "I say 'period' and 'new paragraph'. I will spell [Subject] terms.] Scribe Role Reminder: You write exactly what I dictate. No prompting or editing. Emergency Contact: [Name/Number] if something changes.

See you there. Get some rest.

— [Student Name] & [Scribe Name]

Practical Next Steps

1. Verify with your exam office. Rules change. Confirm the scribe checklist matches the current policy for your specific test.
2. Do a 5-minute trial. If this is a new partnership, spend five minutes tonight dictating a sample paragraph. It reveals audio issues or terminology confusion early.
3. Pack a "Plan B" kit. Extra pen, printed backup of the confirmation message, and a snack for after the exam.
4. Protect the morning. Avoid last-minute cramming. Use the hour before departure for calm review or breathing exercises.

A smooth exam day starts with a quiet night before. Clear communication now means fewer distractions when the clock starts.