Cert III Refinishing exam-day guide
Cert III Refinishing · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID the name on your registration matches. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Admission or confirmation letter
Print or download your booking confirmation showing test date, time, location, and candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
PPE: respirator and safety glasses
Bring a fitted respirator suitable for refinish work and impact-rated safety glasses. Confirm with the provider whether the test centre supplies PPE or requires you to bring your own.
Work clothing and closed-toe boots
Wear or pack coveralls and closed-toe, non-slip boots suitable for a spray booth and workshop. Avoid loose sleeves, jewellery, and open footwear.
Calculator (if permitted)
Bring a basic non-programmable calculator for mixing-ratio and coverage calculations. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are allowed and whether phones are banned entirely.
Pens and a notebook (if permitted)
Bring two pens and a small notebook for written portions or notes before the practical. Confirm with the provider whether notes may be taken into the practical area.
Review the assessment criteria and task list
Re-read the published performance criteria and the list of practical tasks so you know what each station is scored on. Ask the provider for the weighting if it is not published.
Plan travel and arrive early
Check the route, parking, and public transport, and aim to arrive well before your reporting time. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival window and late-arrival policy.
Eat, hydrate, and sleep
Practical tests are long and physical. Have a proper meal before reporting and bring water if the centre allows it.
Know the safety-data requirements
Be ready to locate and interpret safety data sheets and product labels for the materials you will use. Confirm with the provider whether reference sheets are provided at each station.
Check equipment calibration expectations
If you will use spray equipment, mixing cups, or measuring tools, know how to check and set them up. Confirm with the provider whether equipment is supplied or you must bring your own.
Confirm rescheduling and cancellation terms
Read the provider's policy on illness, lateness, and rescheduling before test day. Confirm with the provider directly rather than relying on second-hand information.
Plan the day
Re-read the published task list and performance criteria and identify your two weakest skills. Spend the remaining practice time on those, not on tasks you already do well. Check that your PPE fits and is undamaged, and that your ID and confirmation documents are ready. Confirm the reporting time, address, and parking with the provider.
Do one full dry run of the practical sequence in order, timing each task as you would on the day. Practise mixing ratios, gun setup, and panel preparation from memory. Write a short card of the steps you keep forgetting and review it, not new material.
Stop heavy practice. Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, PPE, clothing, pens, and calculator if permitted. Lay out clothes. Check travel times again for the actual time of day. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a sensible hour.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate. Arrive at the centre with time to spare. Report to reception, present your ID, and listen carefully to the briefing and any station instructions. Ask clarifying questions before the clock starts, not during a task.
Read each task instruction fully before touching equipment. Work in a safe, methodical order: set up, check, then apply. Keep your station tidy and clean tools as you go. Watch the clock and leave time to finish and tidy each station. If something goes wrong, stay calm, follow the safety rules, and tell the assessor.
Return equipment and clean your station as instructed. Ask the provider when and how results will be issued, and note any feedback the assessor gives you.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID that matches your registration. If your ID has changed or the name differs, contact the provider before test day; do not assume a copy will be accepted.
Follow all safety instructions from assessors and centre staff. Wear the required PPE at all times in designated areas. Unsafe behaviour can end your assessment; confirm with the provider how safety breaches are handled.
Phones, smart watches, and other devices are normally restricted during the test. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and whether any exceptions apply.
Breaks are usually scheduled, and unscheduled breaks may be limited. Confirm with the provider the break policy, whether water is allowed at stations, and any access arrangements you need.
Ask questions only about instructions, not about answers. If a task instruction is unclear, raise it with the assessor before you begin that task.
Scoring is based on the published performance criteria for each task. You may lose marks for unsafe work, incomplete tasks, or poor finish quality, so confirm with the provider how each criterion is weighted.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible and follow their rescheduling policy. Do not attend if you are unfit to work safely.
Treat assessors, staff, and other candidates with respect. Any misconduct or attempt to gain unfair advantage may result in your assessment being voided; confirm with the provider for the exact consequences.