What Should Be on My 4+ Exam Checklist?
Two weeks out, one week out, the night before, the morning of. A practical checklist for 4+ exam day, by phase. Tick through it and you will have done everything that matters.
Two weeks before
- Confirm the date, time and address for each assessment.
- Print or screenshot the assessment letter from each school.
- Note the dress code for each school. Some specify, some do not.
- Plan parking or transport for each school. Drive the route once if possible.
- Tighten sleep routines. Bedtime by seven for younger children, seven thirty for older. Aim for eleven hours nightly.
- Reduce late afternoon screens. Substitute reading, drawing, building.
- Continue daily reading and conversation, lightly.
- Practise pencil grip and drawing ten minutes daily.
- Do not introduce new content. The skills are there. Now they need consolidating.
One week before
- Book a final mock if useful. Sometimes optional at this stage.
- Drive past each school with your child. Speak warmly about it.
- Practise the assessment morning routine at home. Eating breakfast at the table, putting on a coat, etc.
- Avoid major life events. Big trips, parties, exciting outings.
- Reduce caffeine and stress for yourself. Children mirror parental nerves.
- Prepare your child’s outfit. Comfortable, simple, easy to manage. Try it on once.
- Plan something nice for after each assessment. Park, cafe, library.
The night before
- Pack the bag. Whatever the school requires, plus snack, water bottle, comfort item.
- Lay out the outfit (and a backup, in case of breakfast spillage).
- Confirm the route and parking. Print directions if needed.
- Normal bedtime, ideally fifteen minutes earlier than usual.
- Light, calming bedtime routine. Bath, reading, songs.
- No assessment talk. Tomorrow is just a fun day with new friends.
- Set the alarm with thirty minute buffer.
- Get yourself an early night. Your nervous system matters too.
The morning of
- Wake with full buffer. No rushed mornings.
- Real breakfast together. Porridge, eggs, toast with peanut butter, fruit. Not just a banana on the way.
- Comfortable, simple outfit. Loo before leaving.
- Toilet trip. Encourage one even if not asked for.
- No assessment talk in the car. Songs, what you can see, light chatter.
- Arrive five minutes early. Walk if too early.
- Brief warm goodbye. Hug, kiss, see you later, walk away.
- Trust the school. They have done this before.
What to bring
- Assessment letter from the school
- Identification or registration confirmation if requested
- Snack and water bottle for after
- Comfort item if your child has one and the school allows
- Spare clothes in case of accident
- Tissues
- Hand sanitiser
- A book or magazine for your wait
- Phone charged in case of pickup change
What not to bring
- Last minute flashcards. No.
- A list of likely questions. No.
- Worksheets. No.
- Anything that signals high stakes. No.
After the assessment
- Warm hug, light questions. “Did you have a nice time?”
- Plan to leave the school site quickly. Avoid lingering with other parents.
- Go straight to the planned treat. Park, cafe, walk.
- Avoid debrief in the car. Save for evening with partner.
- Tell your partner the basic facts but do not discuss in front of your child.
- Resist the urge to text other parents for comparison. Unhelpful.
In the days after
- Carry on with normal routines.
- Avoid speculation about outcomes.
- Do not check email obsessively. Schools take two to four weeks.
- Praise your child for the experience, not the outcome.
- Let it go a little. The day is done. Whatever happens, it happens.
Our 4+ Preparation Roadmap includes a printable version of this checklist. Download it from the Academic Success website.
Multi-school week checklist
If your child is sitting multiple assessments in close succession, an additional layer:
- Spread assessments out where possible. Aim for one a week with rest days in between.
- Prioritise top schools for early in the week.
- Manage child fatigue. Watch for signs of effort drop. Adjust if needed.
- Pace yourself. A week of assessments is exhausting for parents too.
- Plan something special at the end of the assessment cycle. A weekend away, a treat, an outing. Marks the close.
Frequently asked questions
What if I forget something on the day?
Most schools are flexible. Identification can usually be confirmed afterwards. A missed snack is recoverable. Stay calm if something is forgotten.
How early should I arrive?
Within the assessment letter's window, ideally five minutes before the latest end. Earlier means waiting; later disrupts the school's schedule.
What if my child refuses to leave with the teacher?
Hand off briskly to staff. Most reluctant children settle within minutes once parents are out of sight. Returning to comfort makes it worse.
Should I send a thank you note?
Not required, but a brief polite email after the assessment is gracious. Avoid anything that reads as lobbying for an offer.
What if I have not done the previous steps?
Do what you can. Even thirty minutes of calm preparation is better than panic. The morning of, focus on the basics: rest, food, calm goodbye, light pickup.
