CITM exam-day guide
CITM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact original ID document named in your booking confirmation. Name and spelling must match your registration. Photocopies and digital copies are usually not accepted; confirm with the provider which ID types are valid for your delivery mode.
Booking confirmation and candidate number
Keep a printed or offline copy of your appointment confirmation, test centre address, and any candidate or registration number. Do not rely on mobile signal or email access at the venue.
Know your exam delivery format
Confirm whether you sit the exam at a test centre or proctored online, and whether it is computer-based or paper-based. The rules on permitted items, breaks, and room conditions differ by format; confirm with the provider.
Review the permitted-items list
Check the current candidate handbook for what is allowed at your desk. Many certification exams prohibit notes, phones, smart watches, and study material. Do not assume a calculator or scratch paper is allowed without confirming with the provider.
Confirm exam duration and question count
Note the total seat time, number of questions, and whether there is a scheduled or optional break. This shapes your pacing plan; verify the current structure with the provider rather than relying on older accounts.
Confirm scoring and pass mark
Check whether results are reported on a scaled score, pass/fail only, or with section feedback, and whether the pass mark is published. If it is not published, confirm with the provider; do not guess a target percentage.
Confirm reschedule and cancellation deadlines
Know the deadline and any fee for changing your appointment, in case of illness or travel problems. These terms are provider-specific; confirm with the provider and keep written confirmation of any change.
Plan travel and arrival time
Arrive earlier than the stated reporting time to allow for security checks and ID verification. Check local transport disruptions the day before. Candidates arriving after the cut-off may be refused entry; confirm the cut-off with the provider.
Prepare for the online-proctoring setup if applicable
If testing remotely, run the system check in advance, test your camera, microphone, and internet, and clear your desk and room. Confirm the room and equipment rules with the provider.
Rest and logistics the night before
Sleep, eat, and hydrate normally. Confirm your alarm, route, and what you will wear, keeping in mind that some centres restrict items like jackets, hats, or jewellery; confirm with the provider.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you have approved adjustments such as extra time or a separate room, bring the approval confirmation. Arrangements must usually be requested in advance; confirm with the provider that yours is recorded.
Backup contact details
Save the test centre or provider contact number offline in case of delay, illness, or technical failure on the day.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Re-read your summary notes and the current candidate handbook, focusing on exam structure, permitted items, and scoring. Confirm your appointment time, venue or online session link, and ID requirements. Do one or two timed practice sets to check pacing, then review only the errors.
Do a logistics check: route, travel time, parking or transport, and arrival cut-off. For online delivery, run the full system and equipment check and tidy the test room. Resolve any open issue with the provider now, not on the day, since reschedule deadlines may be approaching.
Light review only: key definitions, formulas, or frameworks you keep missing. Pack your ID and confirmation. Avoid cramming late into the night. Set two alarms and confirm your journey plan. If you feel unwell, check the provider's policy on illness and rescheduling immediately.
Eat a normal meal and arrive at the centre or log in early as instructed. Leave prohibited items at home or in secure storage. Keep the pre-exam period calm: skim only a short summary sheet, then stop. Follow all identity and security instructions from staff or the proctor without discussion.
Read the instructions and note the time and question count before starting. Answer in passes: do the questions you can resolve quickly first, flag the rest, and return to them. Watch for questions asking for the best or least appropriate option. If a scheduled break is offered, use it to reset, and note whether the clock stops; confirm with the provider if unsure. If equipment fails, stop and alert the proctor immediately rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Leave time to revisit flagged questions and ensure no question is left unanswered unless the format penalises guessing. Submit deliberately, then follow the provider's process for results and any post-exam survey.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID specified in your booking, with a name matching your registration exactly. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Do not bring or use prohibited items such as phones, smart watches, notes, or unauthorised study material in the test room. The permitted-items list is set by the provider; confirm it in the current handbook.
Follow all instructions from test centre staff and proctors, including security screening, room rules, and identity checks. Refusal to comply can lead to removal or invalidation of your result.
Breaks are governed by the exam format. Ask in advance whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or counted against your time, and whether you may leave the room; confirm with the provider.
Scoring rules, including whether unanswered questions or incorrect answers affect your score, are set by the provider. Check the current handbook rather than assuming a penalty or no penalty.
Report any technical problem, distraction, or irregularity to the proctor immediately and ask for it to be recorded, since later appeals usually require a contemporaneous note.
Do not discuss, copy, or share exam content. Most providers treat disclosure of questions as misconduct that can void results; review the confidentiality terms you agreed to.
If you cannot attend, contact the provider as soon as possible and follow their reschedule or cancellation process. Deadlines and fees vary; confirm with the provider and keep written confirmation.