Check the instructions for your SEC paper before bringing a water bottle into the room. In the 2026 GCE secondary examinations, SEAB allowed candidates to drink water and required them to put the bottle on the floor beside their seat. Eating was prohibited in the examination venue.
For SEC, follow the candidate instructions and any directions given at the venue. If you need food or a different drink for an approved arrangement, confirm how the arrangement applies before exam day.
- Check the instructions for the paper and venue.
- Place the bottle where the invigilator directs.
- Ask in advance about any approved arrangement involving food or drink.
What to do when you reach your seat
Listen for instructions about what stays on the desk and what goes beside your seat. For example, if the venue directs you to follow the GCE-style floor placement, put the bottle beside your own seat and clear of the aisle. If you are unsure where it should go, ask before the paper begins.
What if the instructions differ by session?
Check the notice for each component. A practical session may have laboratory safety instructions, and a holding room may have its own directions. If you will sit a written paper and a practical on different days, check both notices before packing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a transparent bottle?
The cited 2026 GCE secondary provision specifies where to put a water bottle. Check the SEC instructions for any container requirements.
Can I keep a snack on my desk?
The 2026 GCE rules prohibited eating in the venue. If you need to eat as part of an approved arrangement, ask where and when it applies.