IAI SA3 exam-day guide
IAI SA3 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the original government-issued ID whose name and spelling exactly match your exam booking. If your ID uses a different name form (maiden name, transliteration), confirm with the provider before test day what supporting documentation they accept.
Exam appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have the confirmation email and any candidate or booking reference accessible, printed or on your phone. You may not be allowed to take personal items into the test room, so check whether the provider permits a printed copy or holds documents for you.
Know your test format and delivery mode
Confirm whether you sit the exam at a test centre or by remote proctoring, and whether the questions are multiple-choice, short answer, or a mix. The SA3 paper is a specialist application paper, so confirm the exact structure, number of questions, and time allowance with the provider rather than assuming.
Confirm permitted materials and calculator policy
Ask the provider whether a calculator is allowed, which model, and whether any formula sheet, tables, or reference material is supplied on screen or in paper form. Do not bring unauthorised materials; if in doubt, leave them at home and confirm in advance.
Check whether the exam is open or closed book
This affects how you prepare in the final days. Confirm with the provider whether any reference material is permitted and, if so, in what form. Treat any uncertainty as closed book until confirmed.
Plan your travel and arrival time
Confirm the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time, and plan to arrive with margin for delays. For remote exams, confirm the platform, system requirements, and check-in process ahead of time.
Test your remote setup if applicable
If sitting remotely, run the provider's system check in advance: camera, microphone, browser, bandwidth, and a quiet private room. Confirm the rules on breaks, desk clearance, and what happens if the connection drops.
Bring water and a permitted snack for before the exam
Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at your desk. If not, use them before entering the test room. Keep them simple to avoid disruption.
Leave valuables and unauthorised devices at home
Phones, smart watches, and notes are typically not permitted in the test room. Confirm the provider's rules on storage and personal belongings.
Know the scoring and pass mark policy
Confirm with the provider how the paper is marked, whether there is negative marking, and what the pass mark is. Do not rely on second-hand claims about the pass standard.
Confirm the resit and results timeline
Know when results are released and what the process is if you need to resit. This is useful for planning but should not distract you on the day.
Prepare a question-attempt strategy
Decide in advance how you will allocate time across questions, how you will handle a question you cannot answer, and whether you will flag and return to items. Practise this in your final mock.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, worked examples, and error log. Do one timed mock under exam conditions if you have not already, then review it for technique rather than content. Confirm logistics: venue or remote setup, ID, reporting time, and permitted materials. Protect sleep.
Light review only: key formulas, frameworks, and the areas you have repeatedly got wrong. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Check travel or system requirements once more. Avoid last-minute cramming of unfamiliar topics, which raises anxiety without adding marks. Aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate. Arrive at the centre or log in early as instructed. Do a final skim of your summary sheet only if it settles you; otherwise leave it. Keep conversation with other candidates light and avoid comparing preparation, which rarely helps.
Read the instructions and time allowance carefully. Do a first pass answering what you know confidently, flagging anything uncertain. Watch the clock against your planned allocation and leave time to return to flagged items. For calculation or application questions, show your working clearly if the format allows partial credit. If a question is unclear, answer what is being asked as best you can rather than leaving it blank, unless the provider states there is negative marking. Use permitted breaks as instructed and no more.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID matching your registration details; confirm with the provider what alternative documentation is accepted if your name differs.
Arrive or check in at the reporting time, which is usually before the start time. Late arrival may mean you are refused entry; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Do not bring unauthorised materials, phones, smart watches, or notes into the test room. Confirm the provider's rules on personal belongings and storage.
Follow the invigilator's or proctor's instructions at all times, including on desk clearance, breaks, and leaving the room.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam unless stated. Confirm the provider's break policy in advance, particularly for remote exams.
Answer in the format required. If the paper has multiple-choice and written elements, make sure you complete both sections.
Confirm the scoring rules, including whether there is negative marking and what the pass mark is. Do not assume.
If something goes wrong, such as a technical failure or illness, report it to the invigilator or proctor immediately and follow the provider's incident procedure.