CIE exam-day guide
CIE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Admission confirmation / appointment details
Have your booking confirmation, candidate number, and test centre address or remote-session link ready. Confirm arrival time and reporting window with the provider.
Permitted stationery
Pack only what the provider allows (often pencils, eraser, sharpener). Confirm the exact permitted list in advance; many centres prohibit borrowing during the test.
Approved calculator (if applicable)
Check whether a calculator is permitted and which models are approved. Confirm with the provider; do not assume.
Clear water bottle / permitted refreshment
Some centres allow a clear, label-free water bottle at the desk. Confirm the provider's rules on food and drink.
Personal medication and access arrangements
If you need medication, extra time, or other access arrangements, confirm approval with the provider well before test day and bring any required documentation.
Plan your route and arrival buffer
Know the travel route and aim to arrive with a comfortable margin. Confirm the latest arrival time and late-entry policy with the provider.
Remote-test setup check (if testing online)
If your test is remote, confirm platform, camera, microphone, and room requirements with the provider in advance and run any system check they offer.
Leave valuables and prohibited items at home
Phones, smart watches, and notes are typically banned from the test room. Confirm the provider's prohibited-items and storage policy.
Read the provider's candidate handbook
Review the official rules on conduct, ID, breaks, and scoring before test day. Treat the handbook as authoritative over any third-party advice.
Plan the day
Finish active revision and switch to consolidation: review summaries, formulas, and error logs rather than starting new topics. Confirm your appointment details, ID, and travel plan. Protect sleep.
Do a light review only. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, and permitted stationery. Check the test centre location or remote-session link once more. Eat normally and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a proper meal, re-check your bag against the checklist, and leave with buffer time. Avoid cramming new material. Arrive early and follow centre staff instructions.
Read instructions and timing carefully before starting. Pace yourself and keep an eye on the clock. If you get stuck, mark and move on, then return if time allows. Use only permitted breaks and follow invigilator directions.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID specified by the provider; entry may be refused without it. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and centre staff; failure to comply can lead to removal or cancellation of results.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, notes, or other prohibited items into the test room. Confirm the provider's storage and prohibited-items policy.
Breaks are usually only permitted as specified by the provider. Confirm break rules and whether leaving the room is allowed during the test.
Any misconduct or attempt to gain unfair advantage may result in invalidation of results. Confirm the provider's misconduct policy.
Scoring and results-release timelines vary; confirm how and when results are issued with the provider.
If you have access arrangements, they must be approved in advance; confirm deadlines and documentation requirements with the provider.
If you feel unwell or something goes wrong on the day, raise it with centre staff immediately and confirm the provider's procedure for reporting issues.