ISED Basic exam-day guide
ISED Basic · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. If your registered name differs from your ID (for example a maiden name or a shortened first name), contact the provider before test day to correct the record - do not assume staff will resolve it at check-in.
Confirmation email or appointment number
Have your booking confirmation accessible offline (screenshot or printed). It speeds up check-in and resolves any scheduling discrepancy. Confirm the exact arrival time and address on it rather than relying on memory.
Know your test format and delivery mode
Confirm with the provider whether your sitting is in-person at a test centre, at a partner site, or remotely proctored, and whether it is computer- or paper-based. Each mode has different check-in steps, so read the provider's candidate handbook for your specific sitting.
Second acceptable ID (needs_review)
Some providers require two forms of ID or a specific combination (for example one photo and one signature ID). The ISED Basic provider's exact ID policy should be confirmed directly - check the candidate handbook or ask the provider, and carry a backup piece of ID if it is permitted.
Arrival time and travel plan
Plan to arrive ahead of your appointment - many centres ask for 15–30 minutes to complete check-in. Confirm the required arrival window with the provider, and scout the route and parking or transit options in advance so a delay does not cost you your seat.
Permitted items only
Assume personal items (phone, smartwatch, bag, notes, food) are not allowed at your desk. Confirm with the provider what is permitted in the testing room and what storage is available; many centres provide a locker. Leave valuables at home.
Any approved accommodations arranged in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, these must normally be requested and approved before test day with supporting documentation. Confirm the provider's deadline and approval process - accommodations cannot usually be granted on arrival.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Eat a normal meal beforehand, bring water if the provider permits it in the waiting area, and plan a light snack for after the test. Avoid trying new caffeine levels or unfamiliar food on exam morning.
Review logistics, not new material
In the final day, skim your own summary notes and formulas rather than starting new topics. Confirm the exam's structure (number of questions, time limit, pass mark if published, whether items are multiple-choice) from the provider's official materials.
Know the scoring and results process
Confirm with the provider how and when results are released, whether a pass/fail or scaled score is reported, and what the retake policy and waiting period are. This affects how you plan the days after the exam.
Backup plan for technical failure (remote sittings)
If testing remotely, confirm the platform requirements, run the system check in advance, and know the provider's procedure for connectivity failure or proctor disconnection. Have a phone number or support channel ready.
Read the provider's candidate agreement
Review the conduct rules you will be asked to accept - these typically cover prohibited items, communication during the test, and consequences of misconduct. Confirm the current version with the provider rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
Plan the day
Confirm every logistical detail in writing: appointment time, address or remote-session link, ID requirements, permitted items, and accommodation approvals. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook for your sitting. Switch from learning new content to consolidating: review your own summaries, formula sheets, and error log, and do at most one short set of practice questions per day to stay sharp without burning out. Protect sleep - do not plan late-night cramming in this window.
Lay out everything you will bring the night before: ID, confirmation, and anything the provider explicitly permits. Charge devices and, for remote sittings, test your equipment and internet. Confirm your travel plan and set two alarms. Do a light review of high-level summaries only, then stop. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Decide in advance what you will do if something goes wrong (traffic, illness, technical failure) and note the provider's contact channel.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive within the provider's required window - earlier rather than exactly on time. At check-in, present your ID and confirmation, store prohibited items as instructed, and follow staff or proctor directions precisely. Use the restroom before you are seated. Once at the workstation, take a few slow breaths and read the on-screen or printed instructions fully before starting.
Read each question completely before answering, and watch for qualifiers such as 'not', 'best', and 'first'. Answer the easy items first and flag anything that needs more thought; return to flagged items with remaining time. If the format penalises wrong answers, confirm that rule with the provider beforehand and answer accordingly. Track your pace against the time limit at natural checkpoints. If you need a break, follow the provider's break rules exactly - for many exams, leaving the room may pause or not pause the clock, so confirm in advance. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor or support channel immediately rather than troubleshooting alone.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid identification in your registered name. Name mismatches are a common reason candidates are turned away; resolve them with the provider before test day.
Follow the provider's rules on prohibited items and behaviour. Phones, smart devices, notes, and unauthorized materials are typically barred from the testing room; confirm the exact list with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not attempt to record, copy, or share exam content. Providers treat content security seriously and misconduct can void your result.
Confirm the break policy with the provider before you sit. Whether breaks are allowed, timed, or counted against your test time varies, and leaving the room without authorization can end your session.
Confirm the scoring, pass mark, and results-release process with the provider. Do not rely on rumoured pass marks or scoring formulas.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency, notify staff or the proctor immediately and follow their instructions; ask the provider afterward about any illness or emergency policy that may apply to your sitting.
Request any accommodations well before test day and confirm approval in writing; they generally cannot be arranged on arrival.
Keep your confirmation and result correspondence. If you plan to retake, confirm the provider's retake eligibility and waiting period before rebooking.