On exam day, you hear a lot of instructions in a short time, often from someone you don't know. In big classes, the person who runs the room may be a proctor, not your professor. British students call this person an invigilator.
The instructions are short and direct: "Phones off." "Bags at the front." "Pencils down." This isn't rude. In an exam room, short commands are the fastest way to be clear. Understand them the first time, because nobody wants to hear them twice.
You'll need a few polite questions too. Raise your hand, wait, and ask quietly. Start with "Excuse me" and keep it to one line. Your classmates are thinking, and the room is silent.
Phrases
phones must be off, not only silent
put your things away from your desk
show your card to prove who you are
you can start the exam now
the time warning near the end
stop writing now; time is over
give your exam to the proctor
the polite way to leave for a minute
asks for more paper to write on
asks about a question; they may not help, but you can ask
breaking exam rules, like copying or using notes
more minutes for students who need support
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say what the proctor says, or what you ask.
1
2
3
4
5
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.