PADI Divemaster Theory exam-day guide
PADI Divemaster Theory · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the same ID you used for course registration. The exam centre must verify your identity before you sit the paper; if the name on your ID does not match your registration, contact your PADI Regional Headquarters or the exam provider in advance to correct it. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept.
Exam confirmation / admission details
Carry the confirmation email or letter showing your candidate number, test date, time, and venue. Some centres require it at the door. If you never received one, confirm with the provider before travelling.
PADI Divemaster crew pack and course materials
Bring your Divemaster manual, RDP tables/planning materials, and any course materials the provider says are permitted. Many Divemaster theory exams are closed-book, so confirm with the provider what, if anything, you may bring to your desk.
Two pens and two pencils plus an eraser
Answer sheets may be machine-read; use the pencil type the provider specifies and keep a spare. A pencil sharpener is cheap insurance. Do not rely on the centre supplying stationery.
Non-programmable calculator or confirm whether one is allowed
Some theory papers include dive-planning or pressure/volume calculations. Confirm with the provider whether a basic calculator is permitted and whether it must be non-programmable; do not assume your phone can substitute, since phones are usually prohibited.
Wristwatch or silent timer
Wall clocks may be absent or hard to see. A plain watch lets you pace sections and check remaining time. Smartwatches are frequently banned, so bring a simple analogue or digital watch and confirm the provider's policy on wearable devices.
Printed RDP / dive tables if permitted
If the provider allows reference tables during the exam, bring a clean printed copy rather than relying on a phone app. If the exam is closed-book, leave them outside the room. Confirm with the provider which applies to your sitting.
Water, a snack, and layers of clothing
Sittings can run long and rooms vary in temperature. Eat a normal meal beforehand; low blood sugar hurts concentration more than last-minute revision helps. Keep water on the desk only if the provider permits drinks in the exam room.
Know the venue, route, and parking or transport plan
Do a route check the day before, including parking or public transport timing. Aim to arrive well before the start time the provider specifies; late arrivals may be refused entry, so confirm with the provider what the cut-off is.
Review your weak topics, not everything
Use your Divemaster course knowledge reviews, quizzes, and any mock results to identify two or three weak areas (for example dive physics, decompression theory, or the RDP) and revise those specifically. Broad re-reading the night before adds little.
Sleep and no all-night cramming
A full night's sleep outperforms an extra two hours of revision for recall-based exams. Stop studying at a set time, prepare your kit, and go to bed.
Confirm exam format, duration, and pass mark with the provider
Ask directly: how many questions, how long, closed or open book, what the pass mark is, and whether resits are available and when. These details vary by region and provider, so do not rely on hearsay from other candidates.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics in writing: venue, start time, arrival cut-off, ID requirements, permitted materials, and the pass mark. Re-read your course knowledge reviews and mark the topics you got wrong; build a short revision list from those, not from the whole manual.
Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions if the provider offers one or you have mock questions from your course. Review every wrong answer and trace it back to the relevant manual section. Stop adding new material after this point.
Drill the calculation-heavy areas: pressure-volume relationships, buoyancy, air consumption (SAC), and RDP planning if your exam covers tables. Work them by hand so you can do them without a calculator if one is not allowed.
Light revision only: skim your weak-topic list and key definitions. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, stationery, watch, and permitted materials. Check the route and set two alarms. Avoid alcohol and late nights.
Confirm with the provider if you have not received joining instructions, and check for any last-minute venue or timing change. If you feel unwell, contact the provider about rescheduling rather than sitting impaired.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress in layers, and arrive early. Leave your phone and smartwatch stowed or surrendered per the provider's rules. Do a final five-minute skim of your weak-topic list, then put notes away.
Read the instructions and check the question count and time limit. Note the time you must finish. Ask the invigilator immediately if a page is missing or a question is unclear in format (not content).
Work in passes: answer the questions you know first, flag the rest, then return to harder items. For calculations, write the formula, substitute units, and sanity-check the answer. Watch for negatives and 'which is NOT' wording.
Check that every question has an answer, transfer any answers to the answer sheet correctly, and verify your candidate details. Only change an answer if you have a clear reason; second-guessing rarely helps.
Ask the provider when and how results are issued and what the resit policy is. Note which topics you found hard while fresh, in case you need to resit or continue to the practical assessments.
Rules to check
Bring government-issued photo ID matching your registration and present it on request. If your name differs from your registration, resolve it with the provider before exam day; you may be refused entry otherwise.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials exactly. Unless the provider confirms an exam is open-book, assume it is closed-book and keep notes, phones, and reference tables out of the room.
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices are normally prohibited at the desk. Switch them off and stow them where instructed; confirm the provider's device policy in advance.
Arrive by the stated time. Late entry may be refused or may not extend your finishing time; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy rather than assuming you will be admitted.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and follow the invigilator's instructions. Toilet breaks are usually allowed but may be escorted and may not add time; confirm the provider's policy.
Do your own work. Any communication with other candidates, use of unauthorised materials, or attempt to copy answers can lead to invalidation of your result and further action under the training organisation's standards.
If you believe a question is ambiguous or misprinted, answer it as best you can and report it to the invigilator afterwards. Do not ask other candidates for their interpretation during the exam.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and training organisation. Confirm the pass mark, result timeline, and resit conditions with the provider; do not rely on numbers quoted by other candidates.