AMDRAS Mediator Accreditation exam-day guide
AMDRAS Mediator Accreditation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The name must match the name on your registration. If your registered name differs from your ID (for example, a maiden name or a shortened form), contact the provider before exam day to correct it; confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form of ID is required.
Confirmation of your booking
Print or save the confirmation email showing your candidate number, test date, time, and venue or remote-testing link. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is acceptable.
Arrival time and venue details
Note the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time, and the exact building and room. For a remote sitting, note the platform, the link, and the check-in window. Confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled, since candidates arriving after the cut-off may be refused entry.
Permitted reference materials
Determine in advance whether the practical exam is open-book and, if so, which statutes, rules, or codes are allowed and in what format. Bring only what is expressly permitted. Confirm with the provider the permitted editions and whether annotated or tabbed copies are allowed.
Writing materials and permitted aids
Bring pens, pencils, and any calculator or other aid only if the provider permits them. Confirm with the provider whether scrap paper, highlighters, or sticky tabs are allowed, because rules differ between venues.
Personal medication and accessibility arrangements
If you need medication, food, or a modified setup during the test, request the accommodation in advance and bring any approval letter. Confirm with the provider the deadline for accommodation requests and what documentation is required.
Plan for storing personal items
Expect that phones, smart watches, bags, and notes must be stored away from the test area. Confirm with the provider whether lockers are available or whether you should travel light and leave valuables at home.
Travel and backup plan
Check the route and journey time, and identify a backup route or earlier service. For remote sittings, test your equipment, camera, microphone, and internet connection beforehand and have a backup connection such as a mobile hotspot.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Sleep adequately in the days before, eat a normal meal beforehand, and plan water and a snack around the scheduled break if one is offered. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Review of the practical format
Re-read the provider's description of the practical tasks, the time allocation, and the marking criteria so that you know what is expected on the day. Confirm with the provider any details that are unclear rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
Contact details for the provider
Save the provider's phone number and email so you can report an emergency, illness, or technical failure promptly. Confirm with the provider the procedure for reporting a problem on the day.
needs_review: exact prohibited-items list
The specific list of banned items varies by venue and by whether the test is in person or remote. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming, and treat any uncertainty as a reason to leave the item at home.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue, reporting time, and travel arrangements, and re-read the provider's candidate instructions and permitted-materials list. Check that your ID name matches your registration and resolve any discrepancy now. Practise the practical tasks under timed conditions, focusing on the skills the marking criteria emphasise rather than on memorising content. Gather the documents and permitted materials and pack them in one place. Protect your sleep schedule and avoid last-minute cramming that displaces rest. Confirm with the provider any point in the instructions that remains unclear.
Re-check the venue or remote-testing link and the reporting time, and confirm transport times. Prepare clothing that meets any dress or conduct requirements. Charge devices and, for a remote sitting, run a full equipment and connection test. Set out your ID, confirmation, and permitted materials by the door. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Confirm with the provider the procedure to follow if you fall ill or cannot attend.
Eat a proper meal, allow extra travel time, and arrive before the reporting time. Leave phones, smart watches, and notes stored as instructed. Use the waiting period to settle yourself rather than to cram. If something goes wrong, such as a delay or a technical failure, contact the provider immediately and follow their instructions.
Read each task and any instructions carefully before starting, and note the time allocation. Allocate time across the tasks and keep an eye on the clock so that no task is left unattempted. Work neatly and show your reasoning where the task calls for it, since markers can only credit what is visible. If a task is unclear, follow the provider's stated procedure for asking questions rather than guessing silently. If equipment fails or you feel unwell, raise it at once with the invigilator or, for a remote sitting, through the stated channel. Use any scheduled break only as permitted, and return promptly.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID that matches your registered name. If the names differ, resolve it with the provider before the test; candidates who cannot verify their identity may be refused entry or have their result withheld. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted.
Follow the provider's rules on what may be brought into the test area. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes are typically prohibited, and possession of unauthorised material may lead to removal or invalidation. Confirm with the provider the exact prohibited-items list for your venue or remote sitting.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Late arrival may result in refusal of entry or reduced test time, and the provider's cut-off policy varies. Confirm with the provider how lateness is handled before exam day.
Ask permission before leaving the test room, and expect that leaving may be escorted or recorded. For a remote sitting, do not leave the camera view without permission. Confirm with the provider the rules on toilet breaks and whether unscheduled breaks are permitted.
Use only the breaks the provider schedules, and return within the stated time. Extra time is not normally added for unauthorised breaks. Confirm with the provider whether a scheduled break is included and how it affects the total test time.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share, record, or reproduce task content afterwards. Suspected misconduct may be investigated and can lead to invalidation. Confirm with the provider the confidentiality terms you agreed to at registration.
Understand how the practical is marked before you sit it, including whether tasks are scored against criteria, whether there are minimum thresholds per task, and how the overall result is determined. Confirm with the provider the marking scheme and the pass standard, and do not rely on informal accounts.
If illness, a technical failure, or another serious problem affects your performance, report it to the provider as soon as possible and follow their procedure for special consideration. Deadlines and evidence requirements vary. Confirm with the provider what to do and by when.