BIA Non-Life Insurance Diploma exam-day guide
BIA Non-Life Insurance Diploma · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket or confirmation email
Print or download the exam confirmation showing your candidate number, test centre, and session time. If the provider does not issue a separate ticket, confirm with the provider what proof of registration is accepted on the day.
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name used on your registration. Check with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a signature is required; expired or photocopied ID is commonly refused.
Exact test-centre location and route
Confirm the street address, building entrance, and nearest transport links the day before. Allow extra time for security checks or registration queues; if the venue is unfamiliar, a reconnaissance trip or map study reduces morning stress.
Arrival time and late-entry policy
Arrive earlier than the stated reporting time. Ask the provider how late arrivals are handled, since many centres refuse entry after the exam has started or after a fixed cut-off.
Permitted calculator
Non-life exams often include rating and claims calculations. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are allowed and whether yours must be cleared of stored data or shown to invigilators before use.
Stationery and permitted materials
Bring pens or pencils and any eraser allowed by the provider. Check whether rough paper, formula sheets, or printed tables are supplied at the desk or must be requested in advance.
Knowledge of the exam format
Review the number of questions, question types (multiple choice, short answer, or case-based), total marks, and time allowed. Confirm with the provider whether sections are weighted and whether there is negative marking.
Watches and personal items plan
Many centres ban smart watches and phones from the desk. Confirm with the provider what storage is available and whether a simple analogue watch is permitted for timekeeping if the room clock is not visible.
Break and refreshment plan
Check with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, whether water is allowed at the desk, and whether you may leave the room during the test. Plan food and hydration around the reporting time.
Access arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm in writing that they have been approved and will be in place. Bring any approval letter the provider requires.
Review plan for weak syllabus areas
Identify the two or three topics where practice scores are weakest and prepare concise summary notes. Focus on core non-life concepts such as underwriting, claims handling, reinsurance, and regulation rather than re-reading everything.
Backup logistics
Plan a backup route, emergency contact, and charged phone for the journey. Keep the provider's contact details handy in case of transport disruption or illness.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Work through concise summaries and practice questions under timed conditions, concentrating on weak areas. Confirm the test centre address, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider if anything is unclear.
Prepare the checklist items physically: ID, confirmation, calculator, stationery. Test the calculator, check its batteries if applicable, and confirm it meets the provider's rules. Get normal sleep rather than late-night cramming.
Do a light review of key definitions, principles, and formulas only. Pack everything in one bag and place it by the door. Check transport timetables and any planned engineering works, and set two alarms.
Avoid intensive new study and heavy alcohol or caffeine late in the day. Eat a normal meal, confirm the morning plan, and aim for a full night's sleep. If you feel unwell, contact the provider immediately about illness or deferral rules.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress in layers, and leave earlier than the journey requires. Re-check you have ID, confirmation, and calculator. Arrive at the centre with time to spare and follow registration and security instructions calmly.
Read the instructions and mark allocation before starting. Answer the questions you know first, flag difficult ones, and return to them. Watch the clock against the number of questions remaining, and leave time to check answers and ensure no question is left blank unless the provider penalises guessing.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID in the name used at registration; entry may be refused without it, and the provider's exact ID policy should be confirmed in advance.
Follow all invigilator instructions on seating, materials, and timing. Do not start writing before being told or continue after the stop signal.
Keep phones, smart watches, and notes out of the exam room or in the storage the provider specifies. Unauthorised devices or materials may lead to disqualification.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need assistance, a replacement pen, or to leave the room.
Confirm the provider's rules on breaks, water, and leaving the room; some tests allow no exit until the end, so plan accordingly.
Use only the calculator and materials the provider permits, and show your calculator for inspection if asked.
Understand the scoring rules before the day: whether marks are awarded per question, whether sections are weighted, and whether wrong answers are penalised.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, timing, or conditions, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the provider's complaints procedure afterwards.