ACIArb (Intro to ADR) exam-day guide
ACIArb (Intro to ADR) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID whose name matches your registration exactly. If you registered under a different name form (for example a maiden name or a shortened first name), contact the provider before test day to have the record corrected. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a second form of ID is required.
Exam appointment confirmation and candidate number
Print or save the confirmation email and any candidate or booking reference. You may be asked for these at check-in or if there is a problem locating your registration. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Provider's candidate handbook or exam regulations
Read the current version before test day, not an old copy. It governs permitted materials, calculator rules, conduct, and the rescheduling and cancellation terms. Policies change, so check the version date.
Knowledge of the exam format and timing
Confirm the number of questions, the time allowed, and whether the assessment is multiple-choice, short answer, or a mix. The introductory ACIArb assessment is commonly delivered as an online multiple-choice examination, but confirm the exact structure, pass mark, and any negative-marking rule with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Remote-proctoring system check (if sitting online)
If you are sitting remotely, run the provider's system test on the same computer and network you will use on the day, and check camera, microphone, and browser compatibility. Confirm with the provider which browsers and operating systems are supported and whether a wired connection is recommended.
Quiet, private test space and backup plan
For a remote sitting, arrange a room where you will not be interrupted, tell household members, and have a backup plan (phone hotspot, alternative room) in case the connection drops. Confirm with the provider what to do if you are disconnected mid-exam.
Permitted reference materials
Most formal assessments restrict or prohibit notes and open-book materials. Do not assume any reference text is allowed. Confirm with the provider exactly what, if anything, you may have at your desk, and whether an on-screen or supplied reference is provided.
Calculator policy
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is permitted, and if so whether it must be a basic non-programmable model or an on-screen tool. Do not bring a programmable or graphing calculator unless explicitly allowed.
Water, medication, and comfort items
Have water and any necessary medication to hand, subject to the provider's rules on items at the desk. For a test-centre sitting, confirm locker and storage arrangements. For a remote sitting, keep the desk clear of anything not approved.
Arrival or log-in time buffer
Plan to arrive at the test centre, or log in remotely, well before the scheduled start so that ID checks and any security screening do not eat into your time. Confirm with the provider the recommended arrival or log-in window and the late-arrival policy.
Contact details for the provider's exam support
Save the provider's candidate support phone number or email so you can reach them quickly if there is a technical failure or a registration problem. Confirm the support hours relative to your start time.
A revision plan for core ADR topics
Bring your own condensed notes for the final review only, not into the exam. Focus on the distinctions that questions commonly test: negotiation, mediation, conciliation, adjudication, arbitration, and expert determination; the difference between arbitration and litigation; party autonomy and the arbitration agreement; and the role of institutions versus ad hoc proceedings. Confirm the current syllabus with the provider so you revise the right scope.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-read the appointment confirmation, verify the date, time, and time zone, and check the ID you will present. If sitting remotely, run the system test again and check that your camera and microphone work. Confirm with the provider any last-minute changes to format or rules. Then switch to consolidation: review your summary notes on the main dispute resolution processes and the core arbitration concepts, and do timed practice questions under exam conditions to check your pace.
Do a light review only: your own one-page summary of process types and key terms. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Plan your route or your quiet workspace and set two alarms. Check the provider's website or email for any notice about the sitting. Avoid learning new material late, and get a full night's sleep rather than cramming.
Eat properly and avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety. For a test-centre sitting, leave with a generous buffer for travel and security checks. For a remote sitting, close unnecessary applications, silence your phone, clear your desk, and log in early. Have your ID ready for the check-in step. Do a short warm-up of a few easy questions only if that settles you, not a full mock.
Read each question fully before answering, and watch for words such as 'not', 'except', and 'best'. Answer the straightforward questions first and flag the harder ones to return to if the platform allows. Where there is no penalty for wrong answers, never leave a blank. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last few minutes to check that every question is answered and that flagged items are resolved. If a technical problem occurs, note the time and contact the provider's support immediately rather than trying to fix it alone.
Note any technical issues or irregularities while they are fresh, in case you need to raise them with the provider. Confirm how and when results will be communicated and what the procedure is if you want to query a result. Keep your confirmation and correspondence until results are confirmed.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. If it does not match, resolve the discrepancy with the provider before test day, as you may be refused entry or your result may be withheld.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials exactly. Unless the provider has confirmed in writing that notes, textbooks, or a calculator are allowed, assume they are not, and keep your desk clear.
For a remote sitting, expect identity verification and possibly room and screen monitoring. Do not leave the camera view, do not have other people in the room, and do not use unauthorised devices or communication tools. Confirm with the provider what monitoring and recording apply to your sitting.
Breaks are usually limited and may be supervised or not permitted during timed sections. Confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and what the procedure is if you need to leave the room.
Scoring and the pass mark are set by the provider. Confirm the pass mark, whether wrong answers are penalised, and when and how results are released. Do not rely on unofficial accounts of the pass standard.
If you are disconnected, experience a technical failure, or are interrupted, follow the provider's stated procedure, note the time, and contact support. Do not attempt to restart or reconfigure the system in ways the provider has not authorised.
Rescheduling, cancellation, and refund terms are set by the provider and may include deadlines and fees. Confirm the current terms before changing your booking, and keep written confirmation of any change.
Academic integrity rules apply: no impersonation, no sharing of live exam content, and no collusion. Breaches can lead to cancellation of your result and further action by the provider.