IAI Forensic Art exam-day guide
IAI Forensic Art · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID that matches the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second piece is required.
Admission or confirmation document
Carry the registration confirmation, candidate number, or admission letter the provider issues. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is acceptable.
Approved drawing and measuring materials
Forensic art practicals typically involve proportional measurement, facial feature comparison, and sketching. Confirm with the provider the exact permitted list (pencils, erasers, ruler, proportional dividers, tracing paper, blending stumps) and whether materials are supplied or must be brought.
Reference materials and photographs
Some practical formats supply all reference images; others allow a candidate-prepared reference set. Confirm with the provider what reference material, if any, you may bring and in what format (printed only, no annotations, etc.).
Timekeeping device
A plain analog or simple digital watch helps you pace multi-part practical tasks. Confirm with the provider whether watches are permitted and whether smart devices are prohibited.
Clothing and comfort items
Wear layers and bring water and any permitted snack, since practical sessions can run long. Confirm with the provider the rules on food, drink, and leaving the room during the session.
Review the task structure and time allocation
Know in advance how many tasks there are, their relative weighting, and roughly how long each should take. Confirm with the provider the published format and timing.
Practice a timed run-through
Complete at least one full mock practical under time pressure using only the materials you will be allowed. This surfaces pacing and material problems before exam day.
Plan the journey and arrival buffer
Confirm the venue, reporting time, and arrival window with the provider, then plan transport with a buffer for delays.
Medical or access arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm with the provider that approval is already in place and what documentation you must bring.
Rest and logistics the night before
Pack your materials the evening before, confirm your alarm, and protect sleep. Fine motor tasks and visual comparison work degrade noticeably with fatigue.
Confirm scoring and re-sit policy
Understand how practical tasks are marked (for example, weighting of accuracy versus presentation) and what happens if you fail a component. Confirm with the provider, as these details vary by scheme.
Plan the day
Do a final timed mock practical using only permitted materials. Note where you ran out of time or lost accuracy, and adjust your task order and per-task time budget accordingly. Stop learning new techniques at this point and consolidate what you already do reliably.
Check the venue, reporting time, and travel plan against your confirmation document. Confirm with the provider any open questions about permitted materials, ID, and access arrangements so there is time to resolve them.
Assemble your materials physically and test each one: sharpen pencils, check ruler markings, confirm erasers do not smudge, and verify any reference set is in the permitted format. Pack them in one bag you will not need to repack.
Do a light review only: revisit the task structure, weighting, and your personal checklist of common errors such as proportion drift, over-blending, or mislabelling. Avoid a full practice session the day before, as fatigue hurts fine motor control.
Lay out ID, confirmation document, and clothing. Confirm your alarm and transport. Eat normally and go to bed at your usual time rather than unusually early.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive with buffer time. Re-check that ID, confirmation, and materials are with you before leaving. Avoid last-minute cramming, which tends to increase anxiety without improving practical performance.
Follow the provider's check-in and ID verification process. Locate the practical room, note where permitted materials may be placed, and ask staff any procedural question before the session starts, not during it.
Read all instructions and task weightings before drawing anything. Note the time allowance for each task and write down your intended finish time for each so you can monitor pacing.
Work in a consistent order: establish overall proportions and placement before detail, keep measurement checks regular, and label or present work exactly as the instructions require. Reserve the final minutes for the checks the marking scheme rewards.
Confirm every task is attempted, all required labels and candidate details are present, and nothing has been left in a state that instructions forbid. Stop when told and hand in as directed.
Rules to check
Bring the ID the provider requires and present it at check-in; if you are unsure which documents qualify, confirm with the provider before exam day rather than on arrival.
Bring only materials on the permitted list. If an item's status is unclear, confirm with the provider in advance; bringing an unapproved item risks confiscation or a conduct finding.
Follow the provider's rules on electronic devices, including phones and smart watches. Assume these must be switched off and stored as directed unless the provider states otherwise.
Breaks are usually limited and supervised during practical sessions. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted, how they are supervised, and whether time is added or lost.
Do not communicate with other candidates about task content during the session or during any supervised break, and do not remove or photograph exam materials.
If you believe a task is ambiguous or materials are faulty, raise it with an invigilator immediately and follow their instruction rather than improvising.
Marking and pass standards are set by the provider and may weight accuracy, method, and presentation differently across tasks. Confirm with the provider how the practical is scored and what the pass requirement is.
If illness or another circumstance affects your performance, notify staff at the time and follow the provider's procedure for special consideration; confirm the deadline and evidence requirements with the provider.