Which document should you prepare?
ETS Global requires a valid, original physical document with a recent photo and signature. Its French help page specifies accepted documents by nationality and test country; check your situation there and in the handbook for your session. A photocopy or digital version is not enough. A card accepted for another administrative process is not automatically accepted here.
The name on your registration must match the document you present. Check this as soon as you receive confirmation. If there is a discrepancy, contact the organizer before traveling instead of relying on an on-site correction.
For the Public Program, also upload the photo required for your score report before the test. It does not replace your identity document. The admission form, sent in advance or provided on site, must be signed on test day. ETS Global states that registration confirmation is not required at check-in, but it is useful for finding the venue and time.
What should you check one last time?
The following checklist is an Upsilar planning aid. It does not replace specific test center instructions or approved accommodations.
- Review the full test name, format, and exact address.
- Check your physical document, its validity, and the name match.
- Prepare the admission form according to the instructions you received.
- If you are under 18, bring consent completed and signed by a parent or guardian; without it, you will be denied entry.
- Check your route to the check-in point, not just to the building.
- Check which belongings must be stored and review the test center rules.
What materials are actually required?
For the paper-and-pencil test, the French page specifies two HB pencils and an eraser. Do not extend that list to computer or tablet sessions; check your instructions for the format and equipment provided. The word “computer” alone does not mean you should bring your own.
For paper tests, the ETS guide prohibits taking notes or underlining in the booklet or answer sheet; personal scratch paper is not allowed. Calculators, watches, and phones are also prohibited. For a screen-based test, follow the tools and instructions authorized for your session; a practice habit is not permission.
| Item | Useful question |
|---|---|
| Materials | What does my test notice say to bring? |
| Resource | What does the test center provide? |
| Accommodation | What has been explicitly confirmed for my situation? |
How much time should you set aside?
The standard format has about 45 minutes of Listening followed by 75 minutes of Reading. The MSA format, reserved for organizations, takes about one hour: 25 minutes of Listening and about 37 minutes of Reading. A computer-based format alone does not determine the duration. Check-in is additional, so note the arrival time and arrangements for your session.
The paper-test guide does not provide for a break. Any exit requires the proctor’s permission, and lost time is not made up. For a screen-based test or approved accommodation, check the instructions you received instead of applying the paper rules. If your school or organization registers you, ask it for instructions; for the Public Program, consult your test center.
The pitfall
Arriving with a document that is “almost equivalent”
A screenshot of an identity document or a student card does not automatically replace the required primary document. The paper-test guide also distinguishes primary documents from supplemental ones. Read the combination that applies to your situation instead of taking one item from a list out of context.
The same reasoning applies to timing: the test duration does not tell you the check-in time. Plan for the check-in procedures in your test confirmation and do not infer a universal buffer from a friend’s experience.
How should you use the final minutes?
Find the check-in desk, present your documents, and follow instructions for personal belongings. If a technical problem appears before the test begins, alert staff. Do not wait for it to disrupt several questions.
Once seated, review the permitted instructions and make sure you understand how the format works. The organizer’s rules for this session take precedence over a strategy prepared for another format.
Key takeaways
- A digital document is not an accepted physical ID.
- Instructions depend on the test format and session.
- Resolve identity discrepancies before test day.