IAI SP5 exam-day guide
IAI SP5 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, valid photo ID in the name you registered with. Online-proctored and test-centre rules on which ID types are accepted can differ, so confirm the accepted ID list with the provider (IAI or your remote-proctoring vendor) before test day.
Appointment confirmation and login details
Have your confirmation email, candidate/registration number, and the login credentials for the test platform or scheduling system accessible. Do not rely on remembering a password under time pressure.
Know the format and time limit
Confirm the current number of questions, time allowance, and whether the exam is multiple-choice only or includes other item types. The exam is delivered in English; check the current structure on the official IAI certification page rather than assuming.
Confirm whether any reference material is permitted
The SP5 exam is knowledge-based and is normally taken closed-book, but permitted aids (if any) and the rules on scratch paper or notes are set by the provider. Confirm this in the candidate handbook before the exam.
Quiet, private room and stable internet (if remote)
For online proctoring, use a private room with a closed door, a clear desk, reliable broadband, and a working webcam and microphone. Test your equipment and run any system check the vendor provides at least a day in advance.
Scratch paper and pen only if allowed
If the provider permits scratch paper or an on-screen notepad, prepare it before the session starts. Do not bring notes, phones, or smart devices into the testing environment unless explicitly allowed.
Plan travel and arrival buffer
For a test centre, confirm the address, parking, and check-in time and arrive with a margin for ID checks and security screening. For a remote exam, log in early to complete the proctor check-in.
Schedule and confirm your appointment
Verify the date, time zone, and start time of your appointment. Time-zone confusion is a common cause of missed or late starts, especially with remote proctoring.
Review the SP5 syllabus and body of knowledge
Use the official IAI SP5 syllabus or examination handbook to confirm the topic areas you will be tested on, and use it to target last-minute revision rather than re-reading everything.
Prepare a one-page revision sheet
Summarise the key definitions, frameworks, and distinctions from your study materials. Use it for a final review the evening before, then set it aside for the exam itself.
Rest, hydration, and a light meal
Protect sleep in the final 48 hours and eat something light before the exam. Fatigue affects recall more than an extra hour of cramming will help.
Read the provider's candidate handbook
Check the rules on rescheduling, no-shows, technical failures, score reporting, and retakes. Policies change, so confirm the current version with the provider rather than relying on second-hand information.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Work through the official syllabus topic by topic and mark any area you cannot explain in your own words. Do timed practice questions under exam conditions to build pacing, then review every wrong answer to find the underlying gap rather than memorising the answer. Confirm your appointment details, ID requirements, and, for remote exams, run the vendor's system check and update your browser and webcam drivers.
Do a light review of your one-page summary and the topics you flagged as weak, then stop. Re-read the provider's exam-day instructions: check-in time, permitted items, and what to do if the platform fails. Prepare your ID, confirmation email, and login details in one place. Set an alarm with a buffer, confirm the time zone of your appointment, and get a full night's sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming of unfamiliar material, which tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Eat a light meal and hydrate. Do a short, calm review of your summary sheet only. For a test centre, leave with enough time for travel, parking, and security checks. For a remote exam, close background applications, silence your phone and put it out of reach, clear your desk, and start the proctor check-in early so a technical problem does not eat into your exam time. Have your ID ready for the proctor or invigilator.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'least', 'most', 'except', and 'best'. Answer the straightforward questions first and flag the rest; do not let one difficult item consume disproportionate time. Where a question is unfamiliar, eliminate clearly wrong options and choose the best remaining answer rather than leaving it blank, unless the provider applies a penalty for incorrect answers, which you should confirm in advance. Track your remaining time against the number of questions left. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact the proctor or vendor support immediately and note the time, rather than trying to work around it silently.
Rules to check
Bring the original, valid photo ID required by the provider. The name must match your registration. Confirm the accepted ID types with the provider before test day, because online-proctored and test-centre requirements can differ.
Take the exam under the conditions the provider specifies. In a test centre, follow the invigilator's instructions on permitted items and personal belongings. For remote proctoring, keep the room private, your desk clear, and your face and workspace visible to the camera throughout.
Do not use unauthorised materials, notes, phones, smart devices, or another person's help. Unauthorised aids or communication during the exam are treated as misconduct and can lead to score cancellation or further action under the provider's rules.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks. Some exams do not permit breaks, and leaving the camera view during a remote exam may be flagged. If you need an accommodation, request it in advance through the provider's process rather than raising it on the day.
Treat the exam content as confidential. Do not copy, photograph, record, or share questions or answers afterwards. Doing so is prohibited and can invalidate your result.
Understand how scoring works before you sit. The SP5 exam is scored against a pass mark set by the provider, and results and feedback are released according to its published process. Confirm the current pass standard, score reporting timeline, and retake policy with the provider rather than relying on anecdote.
If a technical failure or emergency interrupts the exam, notify the proctor or vendor support immediately and follow their documented process. Keep any reference or case number they give you, because you may need it to request a reschedule or score review under the provider's policy.
Report any suspected irregularity or security issue to the provider. If you believe your appointment, materials, or result were compromised, contact the provider directly and promptly rather than resolving it informally.