BREEAM Assessor (New Construction) exam-day guide
BREEAM Assessor (New Construction) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID specified in your exam booking confirmation. Acceptable document types and name-matching requirements vary by provider, so confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second piece of ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have your booking confirmation, candidate number, and any test-centre details printed or saved offline so you can reach them without internet access. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Exam format and permitted-aids confirmation
Confirm with the provider whether the assessment is closed-book, whether any standards, tables, or formula sheets are supplied on screen, and whether a calculator or notepad is allowed. Do not assume you may bring reference material.
Approved calculator if permitted
If the provider permits a calculator, bring a basic non-programmable model and confirm the permitted type in advance. If unsure, plan to use the on-screen calculator and confirm with the provider.
Test-centre logistics or remote-test setup
For a test centre, confirm the address, arrival time, and parking or transport options. For remote proctoring, confirm the platform, system requirements, webcam and microphone checks, and room rules with the provider.
Time-zone and start-time check
Reconfirm the start time in your local time zone, especially for remote or online-proctored sittings, and note any required check-in window before the start.
Personal administration plan
Know the provider's rules on breaks, water, medication, and access arrangements, and request any reasonable adjustments well before exam day. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on general assumptions.
Revision of question formats and command words
Review the question types used in the assessment (for example multiple choice, scenario-based, or short written answer) and practise reading command words such as identify, explain, and justify so you allocate answer length correctly.
Scenario practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one full timed practice sitting using original practice material, and review where you lost time. Focus on BREEAM New Construction process, assessment stages, evidence requirements, and the roles of assessor, client, and design team.
Rest and travel buffer
Plan a calm route or a quiet room for a remote sitting, aim for a full night's sleep, and build in a buffer for delays. Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics in the final hours.
Provider-specific rules confirmation
Before the exam, confirm with the provider the rules on late arrival, rescheduling, permitted items, scratch paper, and what happens if technical problems occur during a remote sitting. Mark these as needs_review until confirmed in writing.
Post-exam record
Note your provisional result process and any result-notification timeline from the provider. Confirm with the provider how and when results are issued and what the retake policy is.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating. Rework your summary notes on the BREEAM New Construction assessment process, the sequence of assessment stages, evidence and verification requirements, and the assessor's quality-assurance obligations. Revisit weak areas identified in practice, but stop introducing unfamiliar material in the last day. Confirm your booking details, ID requirements, and venue or remote-setup instructions with the provider.
Complete one or two timed practice sittings under exam-like conditions, then review every wrong answer to identify whether the cause was knowledge, misreading, or time pressure. Practise scenario questions where you must select the most appropriate action for an assessor, since these reward understanding of process and evidence rather than recall alone.
Do a light review of your own summary sheets and key terminology only. Prepare and lay out your ID, confirmation, calculator if permitted, and travel or room setup. Check the start time in your local time zone and set two alarms. Confirm any access arrangements or remote-proctoring checks with the provider. Aim for an early night rather than late-night cramming.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in with time to spare, and avoid discussing uncertain topics with other candidates. Run any required system or identity checks early for a remote sitting, and keep your desk clear of items the provider does not permit. Re-read the provider's instructions on permitted items before you begin.
Read the instructions and any on-screen guidance before starting, note the total time and number of questions, and set a rough pace per question. Answer the straightforward questions first, flag anything uncertain, and return to flagged items with remaining time. For scenario questions, identify what the assessor is being asked to do, then eliminate options that skip evidence, bypass quality assurance, or exceed the assessor's role. For written answers, use the command word to judge length and include specific process steps or evidence types where relevant.
Use the last few minutes to check that every question has an answer and that flagged items are resolved as far as time allows. Confirm submission if the platform requires it. After the exam, note anything you found difficult while it is fresh, and check the provider's result and feedback process.
Rules to check
Bring only the identification and permitted items specified in your booking confirmation. Confirm with the provider which items are allowed in the test room or at a remote desk, and treat anything not explicitly permitted as prohibited.
Follow the provider's identity-verification process exactly, including any photograph, signature, or remote ID check. If your ID does not match your booking name, contact the provider before exam day rather than at check-in.
Arrive or log in at the time stated in your confirmation. Late-arrival and admission cut-off rules differ between providers, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed and whether rescheduling is possible.
Breaks, water, medication, and movement around the room are governed by provider rules and any approved access arrangements. Confirm these with the provider in advance and follow invigilator or proctor instructions during the sitting.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, do not use unauthorised devices or materials, and do not attempt to record or share question content. Suspected misconduct is handled under the provider's disciplinary procedure, which you should read in advance.
Understand how the assessment is scored before you sit it. Confirm with the provider whether results are criterion-referenced, whether there is a pass mark, whether wrong answers are penalised, and whether partial credit applies to written answers.
If a technical failure or interruption occurs during a remote sitting, stop and follow the provider's stated incident procedure and keep any evidence requested. Confirm with the provider how lost time is handled, as policies vary.
Check the provider's policy on results, feedback, appeals, and retakes before exam day, and confirm with the provider any details not stated clearly in your booking materials.