Excel your exams at ExCeL London

ExCeL London is one of the largest venues in the city. It can feel intimidating on exam day, but it doesn’t have to.

I'm D.A., a final-year business management student with firsthand experience taking exams at ExCeL London. Here are some tried and tested tips to help you ace your exams.

Packing smart and less

When you’re prepping your exam bag, remember less is more.

Stick to essentials: student ID (passport or driver's license as backup), a non-glass and label-free clear water bottle, pens (black or blue), a calculator (Casio fx-83/fx-85 if required), a translucent stationery wallet and a Post-it note with your candidate ID (in case you forget).

Absolute no’s inside the exam hall: Revision notes and laptops for last-minute cramming; phones, smart watches, food or certain drinks (unless permitted via Personalised Assessment Arrangements), ear plugs, books and dictionaries (unless it’s an open-book exam and approved by your department).

You can still bring them for revision outside the exam hall, but to avoid exam misconduct, you must switch off and store your phone, laptop and books in your bag before you enter.

Dressing for comfort

The halls at ExCeL can range from freezing to stuffy, so layers are your best friend. I usually wear a comfy zip hoodie or cardigans that can be easily removed or put back on. Avoid clothes and shoes that make a lot of noises, as echoey floors amplify sound, which can be distracting for other people.

Getting there early

From my experience, I recommend you arrive at least 45-60 minutes early. Arriving with less than 15 minutes to spare once caused me unnecessary stress.

It’s just a short walk to ExCeL’s east entrance from Prince Regent station (DLR line). But many students (including myself) use Custom House station (Elizabeth line) to reach the west entrance, as it is one stop fewer and convenient for people travelling from the west side of London. If you are looking for an accessible route, I recommend you read this article.

Using Citymapper, I check my route once the night before and again on the day of the exam to imprint directions in my mind and to check for any unexpected delays or cancellations. If there’s a major travel disruption or you happen to be late, your best bet might be a taxi. I rely on ‘Obi’, an app that compares all ride-hailing apps simultaneously to quickly find the cheapest option.

Navigating the venue

There are multiple exam halls at the ExCeL London, so don’t panic if you see halls for other universities. KCL halls are always clearly with signs outside. I also use the display screens near the entrances to quickly find my exam hall.

Toilets and water stations are usually a 3–7-minute walk from the exam halls. I learnt to use them on my way into the hall from ExCeL entrances to avoid unnecessary panic later.

Help Desks are available near exam halls and are staffed from 30 minutes before exams. If you’ve lost your ID or are unsure about your seating area, just ask a staff member for help. For paper-based exams, your seat number will be different from your computer-based exam seat. So, make sure to check your personalised exam timetable before entering the exam hall.

During the exam

You won’t necessarily need a non-smart watch; ExCeL displays large hologram clocks clearly on the for paper-based exams. However, if you need better clarity, carry an analogue watch.

For any support, technical issues or if you’re not feeling well during your paper or computer-based exam, just raise your hand and an invigilator will be there to assist you.

Managing noise

I learnt the hard way that ambient noises—footsteps, paper rustling, coughing, and invigilator announcements are inevitable. I recommend practising concentration beforehand using ‘exam hall ambiance’ videos on YouTube. It sounds strange, but it genuinely helps maintain your focus under real exam conditions.

Allocating time & final checks

As soon as you're allowed, pre-write your candidate ID and module codes on your exam papers where required. Mentally allocate specific times for each question; for instance, 50-55 minutes per essay in a three-hour exam. Leave 10-15 minutes at the end to double-check your answers.

ExCeL London might feel overwhelmingly huge at first, but thousands of King’s students (including myself) successfully navigate exams here every year. So can you.

Good luck: you’ve absolutely got this!