ARCtick Licence exam-day guide
ARCtick Licence · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact original ID document named in your admission confirmation, valid on test day. Check the name matches your registration exactly. If you are unsure which documents the provider accepts, or whether a digital or expired copy is allowed, confirm with the provider before test day.
Admission or appointment confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your test time, location or online link, and candidate number. Note reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time; confirm the required arrival window with the provider.
Know your test format and timing
Re-read the official candidate handbook so you know the number of sections, time limits, and whether any breaks are scheduled. Do not rely on secondhand accounts; confirm details with the provider.
Permitted calculator or tools
If the exam allows a calculator or reference materials, bring only the model or type listed as permitted. Confirm the permitted list with the provider, since unapproved devices are commonly confiscated.
Test-centre logistics
Plan the route, transport, and parking in advance and aim to arrive with buffer time. For a remote sitting, test your camera, microphone, and connection the day before and have a backup plan. Confirm centre-specific rules with the provider.
Rest and nutrition plan
Protect sleep in the final nights, eat a normal meal before the test, and bring water only if the venue permits it. Avoid new caffeine or energy products on test day.
Review, do not cram
In the last 24 hours, skim your own summary notes and formula sheet rather than starting new topics. Accuracy and calm matter more than last-minute volume.
Personal items plan
Leave valuables at home. Expect a secure-storage or locker rule for phones and bags, and confirm what the venue allows with the provider.
Read the candidate agreement
Review the conduct and integrity rules you agreed to at registration, including rules on electronic devices and communication during the test. Confirm specifics with the provider.
Backup plan for disruption
Know the provider's contact channel for delays, illness, or technical failure, and note the reschedule or refund conditions. Confirm these policies with the provider rather than assuming.
Plan the day
Switch from learning to consolidating. Re-read your own condensed notes, redo a small set of previously missed questions, and stop adding new material. Confirm the appointment time, address or link, and ID requirements, and resolve any uncertainty with the provider. Check transport and, for a remote test, run a full equipment and connection test. Keep the last evening light and go to bed at your normal time.
Do a short, low-stakes review of key facts and instructions only, then stop. Prepare and pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted tools in one place. Lay out comfortable clothing and confirm your alarm and travel plan. Avoid intensive practice tests that could dent confidence, and avoid alcohol or late nights. If you feel unwell, contact the provider immediately to ask about options, since late notice usually limits them.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it. Arrive at the reporting time with buffer, not just at the start time. Leave phones and valuables as instructed and follow staff directions for check-in and ID verification. For a remote sitting, join early, close other applications, and keep your workspace clear as required. Use the restroom before the test begins.
Read the instructions and time limits for each section before starting. Do an initial pass answering questions you know, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the format allows navigation. Watch the clock and allocate time per question based on the section length. If a question stalls you, make a reasoned choice and move on rather than losing time. Use scheduled breaks only, and follow all proctor instructions exactly. If equipment or the venue fails, notify the proctor or provider immediately and note what happened.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document specified in your admission confirmation and present it when asked. If you are unsure which forms of ID are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day; do not assume a photocopy or digital version is acceptable.
Follow all instructions from the test administrator or proctor, including rules on personal items, electronic devices, and leaving the room. Unapproved devices or materials are typically removed and may lead to invalidation, so confirm the permitted list with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates about test content during the test or during breaks, and do not copy, photograph, or share exam questions afterward. Treat all content as confidential under the candidate agreement.
Breaks, if any, are usually only at scheduled points; confirm the break policy and whether the clock stops with the provider. Plan hydration and restroom visits around the stated schedule.
If you need to leave the testing room for an emergency, attract the proctor's attention and follow their instructions. Unapproved absence from the room may end your test, so confirm the procedure with the provider.
Scoring, pass marks, and result timing are set by the provider. Do not rely on rumored cut scores; confirm the scoring method, result release date, and any retake or appeal process with the provider.
Report any technical failure, illness, or irregularity to the provider as soon as possible and keep any reference numbers. Late reporting can affect your options, so confirm the deadline for reporting problems with the provider.
Maintain honest conduct throughout. Attempting to use unauthorized help or misrepresenting your identity can result in score cancellation and further sanctions under the provider's integrity policy.