Cambridge IAL Economics exam-day guide
Cambridge IAL Economics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original ID document specified by your exam centre (commonly a passport or national ID card). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is permitted; do not assume.
Statement of entry / candidate number
Have your candidate number, centre number, and unit codes available. Your centre may issue a statement of entry; confirm with the provider what you are expected to bring and whether it may be taken into the exam room.
Black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in black ink unless told otherwise. For Economics, diagrams and graphs should be drawn in black pen; pencil is normally only for multiple-choice answer sheets or as your centre instructs. Confirm any centre-specific stationery rules with the provider.
Pencil, eraser, sharpener
Useful for rough work and for multiple-choice answer sheets if your centre requires pencil there. Check with the provider whether pencil is permitted for diagrams or only for answer sheets.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be in a clear container. Confirm with the provider whether a clear case is mandatory and what may be kept on the desk.
Approved calculator (if permitted for your unit)
Economics units may allow a calculator for numerical questions; confirm with the provider which units permit calculators and which models are banned (for example, those with symbolic algebra or stored text). Do not rely on memory.
No smart devices on your person
Phones, smartwatches, and any wearable technology must be switched off and stored as your centre directs, not kept in a pocket. Confirm the centre's storage policy with the provider before the day.
Clear water bottle, label removed
If you bring water, use a plain transparent bottle with the label removed. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at your desk.
Know your start time and arrival time
Arrive at the time your centre specifies, typically well before the start to allow for ID checks and seating. Confirm the exact arrival time and room with the provider; do not rely on a friend's timetable.
Plan your route and backup transport
Check the journey in advance and have a contingency. If you are delayed, contact the centre immediately; confirm with the provider what late-arrival rules apply and whether extra time is granted.
Review command words and diagram conventions
The day before, revisit command words (explain, analyse, evaluate, discuss) and standard Economics diagrams (demand and supply, externalities, monopoly, AD/AS). This is preparation, not a permitted item in the room; notes must be left outside.
Confirm access arrangements if applicable
If you have approved access arrangements (extra time, separate room, a reader or scribe), confirm with the provider that these are in place and what evidence the centre needs. Do not assume they carry over automatically.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Re-read your summary notes for each unit, focusing on definitions, key diagrams, and the evaluation points that earn high marks. Practise past-paper questions under timed conditions, but write full answers only for a few; for the rest, plan the structure and mark scheme points. Check your statement of entry for unit codes, dates, and times, and confirm with the provider that your entry is correct.
Prepare your equipment: black pens, pencil, eraser, clear case, approved calculator if permitted, and ID. Check the calculator model against the provider's banned list. Confirm your travel plan, including a backup route, and note the centre's contact number in case of delay.
Do a light review only: command words, diagram labels, and a handful of evaluation phrases (for example, 'however, this depends on the price elasticity of demand'). Do not cram new topics. Pack your bag with ID, pens, and permitted equipment, and lay out clothes. Set two alarms. Confirm the arrival time and room with the provider if you have not already. Aim for a full night's sleep; avoid late-night screen time.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate. Arrive at the centre at the specified time, not just before the start. Keep your phone switched off and stored as directed; do not bring it to your desk. Use the toilet before entering the room. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: check the unit code, the number of sections, and the instructions on how many questions to answer. Fill in your candidate details exactly as instructed.
Read the whole paper briefly to allocate time. Note the marks per question and divide your time proportionally; for example, a 25-mark essay should receive roughly a quarter of the total time if the paper is out of 100. Start with a question you can answer confidently to settle nerves, but do not spend too long on it. For multiple-choice sections, answer every question; there is normally no penalty for guessing, but confirm this with the provider.
For data-response and essay questions, plan before writing: identify the command word, the economic concepts, and the diagram you will use. Label diagrams fully (axes, curves, equilibrium points, shifts) and refer to them in the text. Use economic terminology precisely. For evaluation marks, weigh both sides and reach a judgement; do not just list points. Watch the clock and move on when the allocated time for a question is up.
Leave time to check that you have answered the required number of questions and that your candidate details are correct. Check that diagrams are labelled and that units and calculations are clear. If you have used additional answer booklets, ensure they are tied together as instructed. Do not erase or rewrite large sections at the last minute; make only clear corrections.
Do not discuss the paper in detail with others immediately; it can affect your confidence for the next unit. Note any questions you found difficult for later review, but focus on the next exam. Keep your equipment and ID in a safe place for the next session.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document required by your centre and confirm with the provider which forms are accepted. If you do not have acceptable ID, you may not be allowed to sit the paper; contact the centre in advance if there is any doubt.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the exam room: notes, textbooks, smart devices, or any wearable technology. Phones must be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider what is considered unauthorised, as rules can vary by centre.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Raise your hand if you need to leave the room; you may be escorted and may not be allowed to return if you leave during the final part of the exam. Confirm the centre's toilet and leaving policy with the provider before the day.
Breaks are not normally permitted during the exam except for emergencies. If you need to leave, you may be accompanied; time lost is not usually added back. Confirm with the provider whether any supervised break is allowed for your circumstances.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started, and do not look at another candidate's work. Any suspected malpractice will be reported. The consequences are determined by the awarding body, not the centre; confirm the malpractice policy with the provider.
Scoring is based on the mark scheme for each unit; there is no penalty for wrong answers in multiple-choice sections unless the provider states otherwise. For essay and data-response questions, marks are awarded for accurate knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation. Confirm the weighting of each assessment objective with the provider.
If you arrive late, you may still be allowed to sit the paper at the centre's discretion, but you will not usually be given extra time. Contact the centre immediately if you are delayed. Confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Access arrangements (extra time, separate room, use of a word processor) must be approved in advance. Confirm with the provider that your arrangements are in place and what evidence is required; do not assume they will be granted on the day.