GRI exam-day guide
GRI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Have the same ID you used to register within arm's reach. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted for your sitting before exam day rather than assuming a student card or expired document will work.
Login credentials for the GRI Academy / learning platform
Test your username and password at least 24 hours ahead. If a multi-factor code goes to your phone, make sure that phone is charged and with you at the desk.
Stable internet connection with a backup
Wired or strong Wi-Fi in the room you will test in, plus a phone hotspot or second network as fallback. Know how to reconnect quickly if the session drops.
Working webcam, microphone and speakers/headset
Run the platform's system check the day before and again 30 minutes before the start. Confirm with the provider whether headsets are permitted or built-in audio is required.
Quiet, private, well-lit room
A closed door, no other people, no background noise, and lighting that shows your face clearly. Tell household members the exact time window so they do not interrupt.
Fully charged laptop and power cable
Do not rely on battery alone. Close all other applications, tabs and notifications, and disable pop-up blockers that might interfere with the exam window.
Confirmation of your exact start time and time zone
Convert the scheduled slot into your local time and set two alarms. Sessions are often scheduled against a fixed time zone; confirm with the provider which one applies to you.
Clear desk and permitted materials only
Remove books, notes, sticky notes and extra devices unless the provider explicitly allows them. Confirm in advance whether your exam is open-book or closed-book.
Scratch paper and pen, only if permitted
Some sittings allow blank paper; many do not. Ask the provider before the exam so you are not caught with a prohibited item on camera.
Provider's technical support contact and your registration number
Save the support phone number or email in your phone and write your candidate/registration number on a note so you can reach help fast if the platform fails.
Water in a clear container
Small comfort item that avoids needing to leave the desk mid-exam. Keep the label off and confirm it is allowed if your sitting has strict desk rules.
A plan for the technical-failure scenario
Know before you start what the provider requires if you disconnect: whether the timer keeps running, who to contact, and whether a case must be filed immediately. Confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Re-read the exam logistics email in full: format, number of questions, time limit, permitted materials, proctoring requirements and the pass mark. If any of these are unclear, email the provider now rather than the night before.
Complete a system/equipment check on the same device and network you will use on exam day. Fix anything that fails while there is still time to get help.
Do a final consolidation pass only - skim your own summary notes, the GRI Standards structure, and definitions you keep confusing. Do not start new material.
Protect sleep. Shift your study blocks earlier so you are not cramming late two nights in a row.
Take one timed practice set under realistic conditions to calibrate your pace: how many questions per minute you must sustain to finish.
Confirm the start time in your own time zone, the link to the exam, and the support contact. Put all three in one place you will see in the morning.
Prepare the room and desk, lay out ID, charger and any permitted items, and tell the people you live with your exam window.
Stop heavy studying in the evening. A light review of framework structure and key terms is enough. Sleep is worth more than one more hour of revision.
Eat properly, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine, and do not schedule anything tight before or after the slot.
Final equipment check: power, internet, camera, microphone, notifications off, other applications closed, browser updated.
Log in early to complete any identity verification, agreement screens or onboarding. Being early absorbs delays that would otherwise eat exam time.
Read the instructions and note the total time and question count. Write down your per-question budget so you can pace deliberately.
Answer in two passes: take the questions you know quickly, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Never let one hard item consume several minutes.
Read each stem for qualifiers - 'most likely', 'best', 'except', 'primary'. Many items turn on one word rather than on the underlying concept.
Eliminate to two options, then choose on principle (what the reporting framework requires, not what a company might prefer to do). Only change an answer if you find a concrete reason.
Stop answering new questions and check for unanswered or flagged items. Submit deliberately - confirm any submission prompt rather than closing the window.
Note anything that went wrong technically and file a support case the same day if needed; deadlines for disputes are usually short. Confirm the provider's window for reporting issues.
Rules to check
Bring matching photo identification in the name used at registration. If your registered name differs from your ID, resolve it with the provider before exam day - do not expect a lenient exception at the desk.
Assume you must complete the exam in a single sitting with no breaks unless the provider states otherwise; confirm the policy for your specific sitting and plan hydration and comfort around that.
Keep only permitted materials on the desk. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, leave it outside the room - the cost of being flagged for a prohibited item is far higher than doing without it.
Do not communicate with anyone, screen-share, or let another person into the room during the exam. Even if your sitting is not live-proctored, monitoring and integrity reviews may apply after the fact.
Scoring and the passing threshold are set by the provider; confirm the current pass mark, whether a fail can be retaken, and any waiting period before you sit, so your expectations on results day are correct.
If the platform crashes or the connection drops, do not quietly wait: contact support immediately and record the time. The provider decides whether time is restored - confirm their procedure beforehand.
Results, certificates and any appeal windows follow the provider's published process. Do not rely on informal advice from forums about how quickly results or resits are handled.
Use the exam's own navigation and submission flow. Do not close the browser, refresh, or open other tabs during the session; these actions are commonly flagged as integrity events.