CAAB CPL Theory Exam exam-day guide
CAAB CPL Theory Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the original government-issued photo ID (usually a passport) in the exact name used on your exam registration. Photocopies are normally not accepted. Confirm with the provider which ID documents are accepted and whether a student pilot licence or national ID card is also required.
Exam admit card / roll-number slip or appointment letter
Carry the printed confirmation issued for your sitting. Confirm with the provider (CAAB exam centre or your flying school) how and when the admit card is issued, and whether a printed hard copy is mandatory.
Written confirmation of date, time and venue
Keep a printed copy of the slot confirmation showing reporting time and the exact building/room. Confirm with the provider in advance, since venues and reporting times can be changed at short notice.
Training records your provider requires for eligibility
Some centres ask to sight your logbook, training record or licence file on the day. Confirm with the provider exactly which originals must be produced, and whether certified copies are acceptable.
Candidate/computer number or licence reference
Have your candidate number, licence file number or student pilot licence number written down separately from your devices. Confirm with the provider which reference number appears on the exam and answer sheet.
Non-programmable calculator
Bring a basic non-programmable calculator for navigation and flight-planning papers, with fresh batteries. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are permitted at all and which models are banned.
Pens, pencils, eraser and sharpener in a clear pouch
Bring at least two pens and a pencil for multiple-choice answer sheets, kept in a transparent pouch or bag if the centre requires it. Confirm the provider's rules on what may be on the desk.
Plain wristwatch (no smart features)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace yourself without relying on a visible clock. Smartwatches and fitness bands are normally prohibited. Confirm with the provider what timekeeping devices are allowed.
Water and any permitted medication
Bring water in a clear container and only medication you genuinely need. Confirm with the provider in advance whether drinks, food or medication may be taken into the exam room and what documentation is needed for medication.
Route and travel plan to the venue
Reconnoitre the route the day before and plan to arrive well ahead of the reporting time, allowing for traffic. Confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive after the reporting time.
Prohibited-items plan
Leave phones, smartwatches, earbuds, notes and study material at home or stored as directed. Confirm with the provider where personal belongings must be left, as storage may be limited.
Prepared exam-day kit checked the night before
Pack ID, admit card, stationery and calculator the evening before and re-check them in the morning. Confirm with the provider if anything on this list does not apply to your sitting.
Plan the day
Re-confirm the sitting with the provider: date, reporting time, venue, room, permitted items and ID requirements. Get any unanswered questions in writing. Re-read the syllabus topics for your papers and spend the time on weak subjects using practice questions, not on new material.
Plan the journey and, if the venue is unfamiliar, do a dry run or check the route on a map. Note backup transport options in case of strikes, traffic or weather disruption. Protect your sleep schedule from this point on.
Do a final inventory of documents. If anything is missing or expiring (ID, admit card, training record), contact the provider immediately - do not wait until the morning.
Do light revision only: formulae, definitions, units, air-law numbers and chart symbols. Stop studying early enough to sleep properly. Avoid cramming new topics the night before.
Pack the kit: ID, admit card, confirmation letter, stationery, calculator, watch, water. Check calculator batteries. Lay out clothes. Confirm your alarm and a backup alarm.
Check the provider's channel once more for any last-minute change of venue or timing. Note the contact number of your flying school or the exam centre in case of emergency.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and leave with a generous buffer. Arrive ahead of the reporting time and go straight to the registration desk; have ID and admit card ready in hand.
Switch off and stow your phone and any smart device as directed before entering the room. Do not carry notes into the exam hall - hand them to a colleague or leave them in storage.
Read the invigilator's instructions and the front page of the paper carefully, including the time allowed and the number of questions. Fill in your candidate details and paper code before you start answering.
Pace yourself: divide the total time by the number of questions to get a per-question budget, and leave time at the end to transfer answers and check them. Do not spend too long on one item - mark it and return later.
Raise your hand for an invigilator if you need anything, if a page is missing, or if you believe a question is faulty. Note the question number and raise it after the paper rather than debating it during the exam.
Before leaving, check that your answer sheet, question paper and any materials have been collected and accounted for as the invigilator requires. Ask the provider about the result timeline, resit rules and how to obtain your mark.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID that matches your registration exactly. A name mismatch or missing document can result in refused entry, so confirm the accepted ID documents with the provider before exam day.
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds and any other electronic device must be switched off and stored exactly as the invigilator directs. Possession of an unauthorised device at the desk is normally treated as misconduct, so confirm the provider's device policy in advance.
Only permitted items may be on the desk. Notes, books, charts, printed material and unauthorised calculators must be left outside the room. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask the provider before the exam day rather than bringing it.
Follow all invigilator instructions and do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has been distributed. Raise your hand if you need assistance, need to leave the room, or believe there is an error in the paper.
Break policy varies between centres and papers. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted, whether the clock stops, and whether you may leave and re-enter the room. Never leave the room without an invigilator's knowledge.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the authority. Confirm the current pass mark for each paper, whether marks are aggregated or each paper must be passed separately, and the rules on resits and attempt limits directly with the provider rather than relying on second-hand information.
Report to the venue at or before the stated reporting time. Late arrival may mean refused entry or reduced time. Confirm the provider's cut-off for admission to the exam room.
If you believe a question is defective or your result is wrong, follow the provider's formal procedure after the exam. Do not attempt to resolve it with the invigilator during the paper, and confirm the deadline and format for any review or appeal with the provider.