IATA DGR (Air) exam-day guide
IATA DGR (Air) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID) whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Admission confirmation and candidate number
Print or save the confirmation email showing your exam appointment, candidate/registration number, and test centre address. Some providers require a printed copy; confirm with the provider.
Approved reference materials
IATA DGR exams are typically open-book for the DGR manual. Confirm with the provider which edition (e.g., current-year DGR) and which supplementary publications (e.g., Emergency Response Guidance, Supplement) are permitted, and whether tabbed or annotated copies are allowed.
Your own copy of the DGR manual
Do not rely on a centre-supplied copy. Bring your own edition matching the one named in the exam syllabus. Confirm with the provider whether loose-leaf or digital versions are accepted.
Calculator
A basic non-programmable calculator is useful for quantity, net-quantity and radiation/transport-index style calculations. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are permitted and whether phones are banned entirely.
Writing implements and highlighters
Bring pens, pencils and a highlighter for annotating the manual and working calculations. Confirm with the provider whether highlighters are allowed in the exam room.
Permitted personal items only
Bring keys, wallet and required medication only. Phones, smart watches and notes usually must be stored away; confirm the provider's storage arrangements and prohibited-items list.
Confirm exam format and timing
Verify in advance the number of questions, time allowed, pass mark and whether the exam is paper or computer-based. Confirm with the provider, as these vary by centre and course type.
Confirm language and accommodations
If you need a translated paper, extra time or other accommodation, confirm approval with the provider well before exam day; such arrangements are rarely granted on the day.
Plan travel and arrival time
Reconnoitre the test centre route and arrive with buffer time. Confirm with the provider the arrival window and what happens if you are late.
Rest and logistics the night before
Sleep adequately, eat beforehand, and check transport disruptions. Carry water and a snack for after the exam if the centre permits.
Practice manual navigation
Before exam day, rehearse finding the Dangerous Goods List columns, special provisions, packing instructions and state/operator variations quickly. This is the single biggest time-saver in an open-book exam.
Plan the day
Re-read the syllabus and your summary notes on classification, identification, packing, marking/labelling, documentation and acceptance checking. Do two or three timed practice papers under exam conditions, then review every wrong answer against the manual to learn where the relevant table or instruction sits.
Confirm all administrative details with the provider: exact venue, start time, arrival window, permitted materials, ID requirements and exam format. Resolve any open questions now rather than on the day.
Do a final light revision pass focused on weak areas and on commonly confused items (e.g., packing instruction references, quantity limits, segregation). Stop heavy study at least a few hours before bedtime.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, DGR manual and permitted supplements, calculator, pens and highlighter. Check the manual is the correct edition and complete. Set two alarms and plan the journey with a buffer.
Avoid cramming new material. Eat well, hydrate, and get a full night's sleep; fatigue is a bigger risk than one missing fact in an open-book exam.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the centre early, and use waiting time only for calm orientation (e.g., checking tab positions), not for panic revision. Keep phones switched off and stored as instructed.
Read the instructions and confirm the time allowed and question count. Note the pass mark if displayed. Quickly check that your manual and permitted materials are to hand before the clock starts.
Work in two passes: answer confident questions first, flag the rest, then return to flagged items using the manual. For each question, identify the UN number or proper shipping name, then trace the Dangerous Goods List entry and the referenced packing instruction. Watch for 'not' and 'except' wording and for operator/state variations.
Ensure no question is blank, transfer or check answers against the answer sheet if separate, and verify you have not mis-keyed question numbers. Use remaining time to sanity-check flagged items rather than to change settled answers without reason.
Note any topics that felt uncertain for future study or recurrent training, and confirm with the provider how and when results are issued and what the resit policy is.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID matching your registration name; photocopies and expired documents are normally refused. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted.
Arrive within the provider's stated arrival window. Late arrival may mean refused entry or reduced time; confirm the exact policy with the provider before exam day.
Use only materials the provider has approved in advance. In an open-book DGR exam this typically means your own copy of the specified manual edition; confirm whether tabs, annotations or supplementary publications are allowed.
Phones, smart watches and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed. Do not attempt to communicate with other candidates or access outside information during the exam.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks, leaving the room and returning. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted and whether the clock stops during them.
Do not remove exam papers, answer sheets or centre materials from the room unless explicitly permitted.
Scoring, pass marks and result notification timelines vary by course and centre. Confirm the pass mark, marking method (e.g., whether all questions carry equal weight) and result process with the provider rather than assuming.
If you believe there is an error in a question or a disruption during the exam, raise it with the invigilator immediately and follow the provider's appeals or incident procedure.