DANB ICE exam-day guide
DANB ICE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your application. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether copies are permitted.
Admission or eligibility confirmation
Bring any scheduling/authorization confirmation the provider issues after you are approved to test. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Appointment confirmation details
Have the test date, time, and test center address written down, plus the provider's contact number in case of a delay.
Arrival time buffer
Arrive earlier than your scheduled report time so you can complete check-in. Confirm with the provider how early you should arrive and what happens if you are late.
Know what is prohibited in the testing room
Phones, smart watches, notes, and study materials are typically restricted. Confirm with the provider the exact list and where to store personal items.
Acceptable calculator policy
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is provided on-screen, permitted, or prohibited, and which models are allowed if any. Do not assume.
Scratch materials policy
Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, a dry-erase board, or an on-screen notepad is supplied and whether you may bring your own.
Break and scheduling expectations
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are built in, optional, or unscheduled, and whether the clock stops during breaks.
Testing accommodations
If you requested accommodations, confirm approval in advance and bring any authorization documentation the provider requires on test day.
Review the exam content outline
Use the provider's published content outline to plan last-minute review. Do not rely on unverified topic lists. If unsure of current outline details, confirm with the provider.
Logistics plan
Plan travel, parking, meals, and hydration around your report time so you are not rushed or hungry during the test.
Score reporting knowledge
Confirm with the provider how and when results are delivered and what a passing score requires. Mark as needs_review until verified.
Plan the day
Stop adding new material. Review the provider's content outline and your weakest two or three areas, and take one timed practice set under realistic conditions if available. Confirm your appointment time, address, and ID requirements, and resolve any open question with the provider now rather than on test day.
Do light review only, such as summary sheets or a short list of frequently confused terms. Pack your ID and any permitted items the night before. Confirm your route and set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep rather than a late-night cram.
Eat a normal meal and stay hydrated, but avoid heavy or unfamiliar food. Arrive at the center with buffer time. Leave prohibited items behind or stored as the provider directs. Keep conversation with other candidates minimal and focused on check-in.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'except,' 'first,' or 'best.' Answer easier items first and flag difficult ones to revisit if the platform allows. Use permitted scratch materials to work through calculations or eliminate options. If a question stalls you, choose the best remaining answer and move on. Confirm with the provider how unanswered items are scored before you rely on a guessing strategy.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired identification in the name on your application. Confirm with the provider which documents qualify and whether a second form is needed.
Follow all testing-room restrictions on personal items, electronics, and study materials. Confirm with the provider the full list of prohibited items and how flagged items are handled.
Do not communicate with other candidates about exam content during or after the test, and do not share, record, or reproduce questions. Treat the exam content as confidential.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock continues during breaks, and whether you may leave the testing area.
Scoring and passing standards are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider the score scale, passing threshold, and whether results are immediate or delayed, and how re-testing works if you do not pass.
If a technical problem, illness, or other disruption occurs, notify the test administrator immediately and follow their instructions. Document what happened and confirm with the provider what remedy or rescheduling options exist.
Follow the administrator's instructions at all times, including sign-in, security screening, and checkout procedures. Noncompliance may result in score cancellation, so ask before acting if a rule is unclear.