AIC exam-day guide
AIC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID you registered under, and make sure the name matches your registration exactly. Acceptable ID types vary by delivery mode and testing partner, so confirm the current list with the provider before test day. needs_review: confirm accepted ID forms with the provider.
Appointment confirmation / authorization to test
Have your appointment number, candidate ID, and the confirmation email accessible (printed or on paper, since phones are usually stored away). If you never received an authorization, contact the provider before the appointment window closes.
Testing-platform login details
Know your username and password, and confirm which system you will launch (test-center-delivered vs. remote-proctored). Write credentials on paper rather than relying on a password manager inside a locked-down browser.
Remote-proctoring equipment check (if applicable)
Webcam, microphone, stable internet, and a permitted browser are typically required for remote delivery. Run the provider's system test at least 24 hours ahead and again the morning of. needs_review: confirm device and bandwidth requirements with the provider.
Approved calculator
Many insurance designation exams allow only non-programmable calculators, and some provide an on-screen calculator instead. Confirm both whether a calculator is permitted and which models qualify before you pack one. needs_review: confirm calculator policy with the provider.
Scratch paper and writing instrument
Test centers commonly supply and collect scratch materials and prohibit bringing your own. Check the rule for your delivery mode; if remote, confirm whether blank paper and a pen are allowed and how they must be shown on camera. needs_review: confirm scratch-material rules with the provider.
Note on permitted study materials
Assume the exam is closed-book unless the provider states otherwise in writing. Do not bring notes, flashcards, or annotated outlines into the testing room; leave them in a locker or outside the camera view.
Directions, parking, and arrival buffer
Scout the route and parking in advance, and plan to arrive with a comfortable buffer rather than exactly at the appointment time. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival window and late-arrival cutoff, since seating may be refused after a set time.
Break supplies
Bring water and a light snack in case breaks are allowed, but expect personal items to be stored outside the testing room. Confirm the break policy and whether break time counts against your exam clock. needs_review: confirm break rules with the provider.
Candidate handbook and exam rules
Read the provider's current candidate handbook or exam-day page at least 72 hours ahead so last-minute policy changes, security screening steps, and conduct rules are not a surprise.
Score-report expectations
Know whether a preliminary result appears on screen and when the official score report is issued. Note the retake window and any waiting period in case you need it.
Backup plan for disruptions
Save the provider's candidate-services phone number and know the process for technical failures or illness on test day. Confirm deadlines and fees for rescheduling before the appointment, not after.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook and your appointment confirmation. Verify the appointment date, time, delivery mode, and location, and settle any discrepancy with the provider while there is still time to reschedule.
Take one full-length timed practice set under exam-like conditions (no notes, no phone, single sitting). Score it, then list your three weakest topic areas and spend remaining study time only on those.
Shift your sleep schedule so you are awake and alert at your actual appointment time, especially for a morning slot.
Do a final pass over a one-page summary of high-yield concepts: policy structure, coverage triggers, claims handling sequence, and any calculation methods the exam tests. Stop introducing new material after this point.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. If testing remotely, run the platform's system check, clear your desk, and confirm your room meets the provider's requirements.
Do a dry run of the route and parking, or confirm your internet provider has no scheduled outage. Check the provider's site for test-center closures or platform notices.
Light review only, no cramming. Set two alarms, lay out clothes, and aim for a full night's sleep; recall is stronger after rest than after a late cram session.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive with a buffer (or log in early if remote). Do a brief 10-15 minute warm-up on familiar concepts only, then put the notes away.
Read the on-screen instructions, confirm the timer, and take the provided scratch paper or tutorial. Compute your per-question pace from the total item count and remaining time before you start.
Work in two passes: answer items you know cleanly, flag the rest, and never leave a question blank unless the provider penalizes wrong answers (confirm this). Watch for qualifiers such as BEST, EXCEPT, and FIRST.
Return to flagged items, confirm every question has a response, and resist changing answers unless you have a concrete reason; first-instinct answers are usually right.
Note which topics felt weak while it is fresh. If a preliminary score is shown, record it and wait for the official report before making retake plans.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration exactly. If your legal name differs, resolve it with the provider before test day; confirm which ID types are accepted.
The exam is closed-book. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study aids must be stored as directed; possession of a prohibited device during testing can void your score regardless of intent.
Do not communicate with anyone about exam content during the test, and do not reproduce or share exam items afterward. Most providers treat this as an integrity violation with consequences beyond the individual attempt.
Breaks, if offered, may be counted against your exam time and may require sign-out and security screening on return. Confirm the specific break policy for your delivery mode with the provider.
Only use scratch materials the provider supplies or explicitly permits, and surrender them at the end of the session. Do not remove any testing materials from the room.
The passing standard is set by the provider and is not necessarily a simple percentage you can compute from a practice score. Do not rely on a rumored cut score; confirm how results are reported.
Rescheduling, cancellation, and retake rules have deadlines and fees that vary by program. Confirm these with the provider before your appointment rather than assuming a grace period.
If a technical failure or medical issue interrupts the exam, stop and notify the proctor or candidate services immediately and get instructions in writing. Do not attempt to continue unmonitored.