IAI CP3 exam-day guide
IAI CP3 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly. Bring the original; photocopies are often refused.
Exam appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have the confirmation email or booking reference available, either printed or on a device, in case the test centre needs to verify your booking. Confirm with the provider whether printed copies are required.
Test-centre address, route, and arrival time
Check the exact address and which entrance to use; large venues can have multiple buildings. Plan to arrive with margin before the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Confirm the reporting time with the provider.
Permitted reference materials
Confirm with the provider whether any standards extracts, formula sheets, or tables are supplied on screen or in paper form, and whether you may bring your own. Do not assume personal notes are allowed.
Calculator and its acceptance status
If a calculator is permitted, confirm with the provider which models are allowed and whether the centre supplies one. Bring a spare battery only if the provider confirms it is permitted.
Writing materials
Bring pens and pencils only if the provider allows them; some centres supply everything and prohibit personal stationery. Confirm with the provider before packing.
Personal items plan
Decide in advance where your phone, watch, bag, and coat will go. Many centres require them to be stored away from the desk; confirm the storage arrangements with the provider.
Break and refreshment plan
Confirm with the provider whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are available, whether the clock stops during breaks, and whether water or snacks may be taken at the desk. Plan hydration around the confirmed rules.
Medical or access accommodation confirmation
If you have an approved accommodation such as extra time or a separate room, bring the approval letter or reference. Confirm with the provider how the accommodation is applied on the day.
Scratch-paper policy
Confirm with the provider whether blank paper or an erasable board is supplied, how much, and whether it must be handed in. Do not bring your own unless explicitly permitted.
Travel and backup plan
Check transport disruptions the day before and identify a backup route. Save the test centre phone number in case of delay. Confirm with the provider what to do if you arrive late.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, prepare clothing in layers for variable room temperature, and avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep. Confirm the start time and doors-open time with the provider.
Plan the day
Re-read the exam regulations and your booking confirmation, and confirm with the provider the reporting time, permitted items, break policy, and any accommodation details. Do targeted revision of weak areas using practice questions under timed conditions, and stop learning new material. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and travel plan, and check the venue location. Protect sleep: shift bedtime earlier rather than relying on a late-night cram.
Do a light review of key formulas, definitions, and process steps only; avoid full mock exams that could dent confidence. Pack your bag with the confirmed permitted items, lay out clothing, and charge devices if they are part of your travel plan. Check transport status and weather. Eat a normal meal, avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Confirm the alarm and backup alarm.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the venue with the margin stated in your confirmation, allowing for security and check-in. Keep your phone and other personal items stored as instructed. Use the waiting time for a brief calm review of high-level frameworks, not new topics. Follow the invigilator's instructions during ID checks and seating.
Read the instructions and note the total time and number of questions so you can pace yourself. Answer the questions you know first and flag uncertain ones for review if the platform allows it. Watch the clock at quarter points and leave time to transfer or confirm answers. If breaks are permitted, use them to reset rather than to study. If a technical problem occurs, raise your hand immediately and ask for it to be logged; do not attempt to fix equipment yourself.
Rules to check
Bring the identification required by the provider and be ready for it to be checked at registration and again at your desk; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the test room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and personal calculators are commonly prohibited; confirm with the provider the full list of permitted and prohibited items before the day.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including on seating, starting and stopping, and handing in materials. If you believe an instruction is unclear, ask before acting.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules. Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the exam clock pauses, and what you may access during a break; leaving the room without permission may be treated as misconduct.
Scoring and result timing are set by the provider. Confirm the pass mark, the score report format, and when results are released rather than relying on second-hand information.
If you arrive late or experience a disruption, notify the test centre staff immediately and follow their instructions; confirm with the provider in advance what the late-arrival policy is.
Do not communicate with other candidates about exam content during the test or afterwards in a way that could compromise exam security; follow the provider's confidentiality rules.
If you have an approved accommodation, confirm with the provider how it will be applied and bring any approval documentation requested; do not assume it will be applied automatically.