AICD CDC / GAICD exam-day guide
AICD CDC / GAICD · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the government-issued photo ID required for admission. Accepted ID types vary by provider and test centre, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and that your ID is unexpired and matches the name on your registration.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Print or save the booking confirmation and any candidate or registration number the provider issued. You may be asked to quote it at check-in; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Login credentials for a computer-based test
If the exam is delivered online or at a test centre, confirm your username, password, and any multi-factor authentication method in advance. Test them at least 24 hours before the exam so a locked account can be resolved.
Technical check for remote delivery
If sitting remotely, run the provider's system and equipment check on the same computer and network you will use. Confirm camera, microphone, browser version, and bandwidth requirements with the provider, and know the contact number for technical support.
Permitted reference materials
Confirm with the provider whether the format is open book and exactly which documents, standards, or notes may be taken in. Bring only what is expressly permitted; unlisted material may be treated as a breach of rules.
Exam-day logistics plan
Confirm the start time, arrival or login time, venue location, and transport route. Allow a buffer for delays, and for a test centre check whether parking or public transport access is limited.
Acceptable calculator or writing materials
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator, notepad, or pen is permitted and whether the test centre supplies them. Do not assume personal devices are allowed; many providers prohibit programmable or networked devices.
Break and refreshment plan
Confirm the break policy, including whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or counted against your time. Bring water and a light snack only if the venue or remote rules permit them at your desk.
Rest and readiness the night before
Protect sleep in the final night and avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Review only your own summary notes and the exam format so you arrive calm and able to manage time.
Provider contact details
Save the provider's candidate services phone number and email, plus the test centre or technical support contact, so you can report an emergency, illness, or technical failure promptly and ask what evidence is required.
Special arrangements confirmation
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm with the provider in writing that they are approved and recorded for your booking. Bring the approval correspondence if the provider instructs you to do so.
Timekeeping device
Confirm whether a watch is permitted; many providers prohibit smartwatches and some prohibit all watches. If a watch is allowed, use a simple non-connected one, and rely on the on-screen timer where one is provided.
Plan the day
Confirm every logistical detail: booking time, venue or remote link, ID requirements, permitted materials, and any approved adjustments. Re-read the provider's candidate rules and the exam format so there are no surprises on the day. Complete two or three timed practice sets under exam conditions, then spend the remaining time reviewing your own summary notes and weak areas rather than starting new topics. Prepare clothes, ID, confirmation, and any permitted materials in one bag or folder.
Do a light review of frameworks, governance principles, and key definitions, then stop early. Test your login and equipment if the exam is remote, charge devices, and check the network. Confirm your travel plan and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine late in the day, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do not attempt to memorise new material overnight.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate, allowing time for normal routines without rushing. Re-check that your ID, confirmation, and permitted materials are packed. Arrive at the test centre with a comfortable buffer before the stated arrival time, or log in early for a remote exam as the provider directs. Avoid discussing content with other candidates, and use the waiting time for calm breathing rather than last-minute cramming.
Read the instructions and note the total time and number of questions, then calculate a rough per-question pace. Answer the questions you know first and flag difficult ones for review rather than stalling. Read each question for the stem's key words, such as best, most appropriate, or first action, and eliminate clearly wrong options. For scenario questions, identify the decision-maker, the relevant duty or principle, and the least intrusive effective action. Use remaining time to review flagged items and check that every question is answered if the format has no penalty for guessing. Confirm with the provider whether unanswered questions are scored as incorrect and whether negative marking applies.
Rules to check
Bring the exact photo identification specified by the provider. If your ID is expired, lost, or in a different name from your registration, contact the provider before the exam; admission may be refused and the remedy is set by provider policy, so confirm with the provider.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials and devices. Unless expressly allowed, keep phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags stored as directed; unauthorised material at your desk may lead to invalidation of your result.
Arrive or log in by the stated time. Late arrival may mean you are refused admission or given less than the full time; the exact cut-off and any discretion rest with the provider, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Breaks are governed by the provider and the exam format. Unless the provider states otherwise, expect that unscheduled breaks may not stop the clock and that leaving the room or view of the camera may be recorded; confirm the break policy before the day.
Do not communicate with other candidates about exam content during the test or afterwards. Sharing, reproducing, or soliciting questions may breach the provider's confidentiality and misconduct rules and can affect your certification.
If a technical failure occurs during a remote exam, stop and contact technical support immediately, note the time and nature of the problem, and follow the provider's instructions. Do not attempt to restart or continue in a way the provider has not authorised.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and may be based on a scaled or criterion-referenced standard rather than a simple raw percentage. Confirm the pass standard, result timing, and any appeal or special consideration process with the provider.
If illness or an emergency prevents you from sitting or completing the exam, contact the provider as soon as practicable and ask about deferral, withdrawal, or special consideration. Keep evidence such as a medical certificate, as the provider will specify what is required.