IAI CB2 exam-day guide
IAI CB2 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type and name spelling your registration used. If your registration name differs from your ID (e.g., a shortened first name), confirm with the provider before test day whether this will be accepted.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have your confirmation email, candidate/registration number, and the test centre address and arrival time saved offline (screenshot or printout), in case your phone or network fails.
Know your test format and timings
Confirm with the provider the current CB2 format: number of questions, total time, and whether it is delivered at a test centre or by remote proctoring. Do not rely on second-hand accounts of past sittings.
Permitted calculator
Check the provider's calculator policy for CB2 - which models are allowed, whether an on-screen calculator is supplied, and whether you may bring your own. Practise with exactly the calculator you will use. Mark as needs_review: confirm the permitted model list with the provider.
Formula sheet and tables policy
Confirm whether a formula sheet, interest tables, or other reference material is provided on screen or in paper form, and whether you may bring notes. Assume nothing is allowed unless the provider states it.
Permitted items only
Plan to bring only ID, confirmation, and explicitly permitted items. Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are typically stored away or prohibited; confirm the exact list with the provider.
Arrival time and route
Confirm the required arrival time (often earlier than the start time for ID checks) and plan to arrive with margin for transport delays. For remote sittings, confirm the check-in window and room/equipment requirements.
Practise under timed conditions
Complete at least one full-length timed practice run before test day so you know your pace per question and your strategy for questions you cannot finish.
Prepare your exam-day toolkit
Pens/pencils and eraser if paper is permitted, a clear water bottle if allowed, layers of clothing for variable room temperature, and any medication you may need. Confirm each item is permitted with the provider.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge devices, confirm the venue or remote-proctoring setup, and protect sleep. Cramming new topics in the last hours tends to cost more in accuracy than it gains.
Plan the day
Switch from learning to consolidating. Re-read your own summary notes and error log rather than the whole syllabus. Do two or three timed mixed-topic question sets and review every wrong answer for the underlying concept, not just the correct option. Confirm all logistics: venue or remote setup, ID, calculator policy, and arrival time. Stop introducing new material in the last 24 hours.
Do one short, low-stakes review of formula-heavy and frequently examined topics, then stop. Re-check that your ID matches your registration name, pack your bag or test your remote setup (camera, microphone, connection, clear desk). Eat normally, avoid late caffeine and alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Write a one-page plan for the exam: question order, time per question, and what you will do when stuck.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue or log in early as instructed. Do a brief warm-up only - a handful of easy questions or a skim of key formulas - not a full mock. Avoid discussing the syllabus with other candidates, which often triggers last-minute panic. Keep phone and notes stowed according to the provider's rules.
Read the instructions and note the total time and question count, then set your pace. Answer the questions you can do confidently first and flag the rest; do not let one hard question consume several minutes. Show working where marks are available for method. Watch the clock at set checkpoints (e.g., halfway, three-quarters) and reserve the final minutes for flagged questions and a check that no question is left blank. If a break is permitted, confirm the procedure before you start.
Note down which topics felt weak while the memory is fresh; this is the most useful input if you sit a later paper. Do not try to reconstruct scores from memory - results are released by the provider through the official channel.
Rules to check
Bring the ID required by the provider and ensure the name matches your registration exactly; if it does not, resolve it with the provider before test day rather than at the desk.
Arrive by the stated arrival time. Candidates arriving after the start time may be refused entry or given reduced time; the exact policy is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Only permitted items may be taken to the desk. Phones, smart watches, notes, and unauthorised calculators are normally prohibited or must be stored as instructed; confirm the list with the provider.
Follow all instructions from invigilators or proctors immediately, including desk setup, ID checks, and any room-scan or environment checks for remote sittings.
Any break policy - whether breaks are allowed, and whether the clock stops - is set by the provider. Confirm before the exam so you can plan your pacing; do not assume you can leave and return freely.
Scoring and pass marks are determined by the provider. Confirm the current pass standard and result-release method through official channels; do not rely on forum claims.
If something goes wrong during the test (equipment failure, illness, disruption), raise it immediately with the invigilator or proctor and follow their instructions; afterwards, contact the provider promptly about any special-consideration process.