IAI SP1 exam-day guide
IAI SP1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the exact ID document the provider specifies for admission. IAI SP1 is delivered as a proctored exam, and the name on your ID must match your registration name. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; do not assume a driving licence is sufficient.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have the confirmation email or booking reference accessible (printed or on your phone) so you can resolve any scheduling or check-in discrepancy quickly. Confirm with the provider whether printed confirmation is required or whether an email is acceptable.
Testing environment requirements (remote or test centre)
If testing remotely, verify the provider's requirements for camera, microphone, browser lock, and room conditions, and complete any system/equipment check in advance. If testing at a centre, confirm the centre address and arrival time. Confirm all specifics with the provider.
Permitted reference materials
Check whether the exam is open- or closed-book and whether any standards, glossaries, or notes are allowed. Do not bring unauthorised materials into the testing environment. Confirm the permitted-items list with the provider before exam day.
Know the exam structure and timing
Be clear on the number of questions, time limit, question format (e.g. multiple choice), and whether there is a scheduled or optional break. Confirm current structure and timing with the provider, as these can change between exam versions.
Understand the scoring and pass mark
Know how the exam is scored (e.g. scaled score, percentage, pass/fail threshold) and whether wrong answers are penalised. Confirm the current pass standard and scoring method with the provider rather than relying on second-hand reports.
Plan your route and timing
For a test centre, plan travel to arrive with buffer time before your appointment; for remote testing, arrange a quiet, uninterrupted slot. Confirm the provider's late-arrival and rescheduling policy in advance.
Prepare permitted items only
Bring only what the provider allows (e.g. ID, confirmation, permitted stationery if any). Leave phones, smart watches, and notes outside the testing area unless explicitly permitted. Confirm the allowed-items list with the provider.
Rest and logistics the day before
Protect sleep, avoid last-minute cramming of new material, and prepare clothes, ID, and confirmation the night before. This reduces morning-of friction and stress.
Know how results are delivered
Find out in advance whether results are shown on screen, emailed, or posted to a candidate portal, and what the process is if you need to query a result. Confirm with the provider.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, confirm that these have been approved and arranged before exam day. Requests are usually handled in advance, not on the day. Confirm the provider's process.
Emergency contact and provider support details
Keep the provider's support contact to hand in case of technical failure, illness, or a scheduling problem. Confirm the correct contact route with the provider.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidation. Review your own summary notes, key definitions, and any areas you have previously got wrong. Do one or two timed practice sets under realistic conditions to check pacing, then review errors rather than chasing new topics. Confirm your appointment details, ID, and (for remote testing) run the provider's system check. Confirm with the provider any last-minute requirements such as check-in windows.
Light review only: skim summaries and formulas or definitions you tend to forget. Pack your ID and confirmation, lay out clothes, and check travel or room setup. Avoid heavy study late in the day, protect sleep, and eat normally. Re-read the provider's candidate instructions so check-in steps and rules are fresh.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in with buffer time, and do a short warm-up of familiar material rather than new content. Re-check ID and confirmation, silence devices, and clear your testing space of unauthorised items. Follow check-in instructions exactly; if anything goes wrong, contact provider support immediately.
Read each question fully, including qualifiers such as 'best', 'most likely', or 'except'. Answer confident questions first and flag uncertain ones to revisit, keeping an eye on the clock and pacing yourself against the number of questions. Eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing. If a break is permitted, use it to reset rather than to review notes. Before submitting, check you have answered every question and revisit flagged items if time allows. Confirm the provider's rules on breaks and navigation.
Rules to check
Bring the identification document specified by the provider and ensure the name matches your registration exactly; confirm accepted ID types with the provider before exam day.
Do not bring or use unauthorised materials, devices, or notes in the testing environment; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
Follow all proctor and invigilator instructions, including room, camera, and screen-sharing requirements for remote testing; non-compliance can lead to invalidation. Confirm the specific conduct rules with the provider.
Arrive or log in by the time stated in your appointment details; late arrival may result in refused admission or rescheduling. Confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Breaks are only permitted if the provider allows them; if unsure whether a break is scheduled or optional, confirm with the provider and do not leave the testing environment without instruction.
Scoring and the pass standard are set by the provider; do not assume a particular pass mark or penalty scheme. Confirm the current scoring method and pass threshold with the provider.
Keep any discussion of exam content confidential in line with the provider's candidate agreement; do not share or reproduce questions. Confirm the exact confidentiality terms with the provider.
If you experience a technical failure or illness during the exam, stop and contact provider support as instructed rather than continuing unaided; confirm the incident-reporting process with the provider.