QIA exam-day guide
QIA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and test-center address
Save the confirmation email or number and the exact test-center address, plus a phone number for the site in case of delays. Confirm arrival time and reporting window with the provider.
Login credentials for computer-based delivery
If the exam is computer-based, know your username/password and any candidate ID number. Confirm with the provider what credentials are issued and whether they are needed at check-in.
Approved calculator or reference materials
Check the current candidate handbook for what is permitted. Do not assume a calculator, formula sheet, or notes are allowed; confirm with the provider and bring only what is explicitly authorized.
Confirmation of permitted personal items
Many centers restrict phones, watches, bags, and notes to a locker. Confirm the provider's policy on personal items and storage before you travel.
Water and a light snack for before/after
Eat a normal meal beforehand. Keep snacks and drinks outside the testing room unless the provider permits them; confirm break rules.
Review the exam format and scoring summary
Know the number of questions, time limit, question types, and how the exam is scored (e.g., pass mark or scaled score) from the official handbook. Do not rely on secondhand summaries.
Plan your route and backup transport
Do a dry run or map the route, account for traffic and parking, and identify a backup way to arrive. Aim to arrive with buffer time before the reporting deadline.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, lay out ID and confirmation, and get a full night's sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep.
Read the candidate agreement and conduct rules
Review the provider's rules on prohibited items, communication, and misconduct so you know what will void your result. Confirm specifics with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary notes and weak areas, do a timed practice set or two under exam conditions, and confirm logistics: appointment time, address, ID, and permitted items.
Confirm with the provider any details you are unsure about: ID requirements, calculator/reference policy, break rules, and what happens if you arrive late. Do not guess.
Do a light review only. Prepare and pack your ID, confirmation, and approved items. Check transport and weather. Set alarms. Go to bed at a normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave early with buffer time. Re-read your one-page summary if it helps, but avoid heavy cramming. Arrive within the reporting window.
Follow staff instructions, present your ID, store prohibited items as directed, and use the restroom before entering. Ask staff about break and timing rules if unclear.
Read each question fully, answer easy items first, and flag uncertain ones for review if the interface allows. Budget time by dividing the time limit by the number of questions. Watch the clock and reserve time to review flagged items.
If a question is unclear, eliminate obviously wrong options and choose the best remaining answer rather than leaving blanks (unless the provider penalizes wrong answers, which you should confirm). Use scheduled breaks only as permitted.
Follow the provider's process for score reporting and keep your confirmation. Do not discuss exam content with others, per the candidate agreement.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID in your registered name; confirm accepted forms with the provider.
Follow all test-center and proctor instructions, including rules on prohibited items, phones, watches, and notes.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not attempt to record, copy, or share exam content; doing so can void your result.
Use only approved calculators or reference materials; confirm what is permitted with the provider before test day.
Breaks are typically only as permitted by the provider; confirm whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and how they affect your time.
Arrive within the reporting window; late arrival may result in denial of entry or forfeiture of fees. Confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider; review the official handbook for the current scoring method and pass mark rather than relying on rumor.
If you have a documented need for accommodations, arrange it with the provider well before test day; confirm deadlines and required documentation.