ICBB exam-day guide
ICBB · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID the registration was made under, with name spelling matching the registration record. If any part of the name differs, contact the provider before test day. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted for remote versus in-person delivery.
Appointment confirmation and test-day instructions
Have the confirmation email or scheduling record accessible, including the appointment time, time zone, and any check-in link or test-center address. Re-read the provider's test-day instructions the day before the exam.
Know your delivery format and its technical requirements
Confirm whether the exam is taken at a test center or proctored online. For online delivery, confirm the required browser, camera, microphone, and system-check steps with the provider, and run any system test in advance.
Login credentials and account access
Verify you can sign in to the testing account and that you know the password. Do not rely on a saved password on a device you will not be using.
Permitted reference materials
Determine whether any reference materials, formula sheets, or note-taking tools are permitted during the exam. If the provider does not state it clearly, confirm with the provider; assume nothing is permitted until confirmed.
Break and timing policy
Confirm whether breaks are allowed, whether they are timed, and whether the clock stops. Policies vary by provider and delivery mode, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Scoring and result-reporting policy
Confirm the passing standard, whether results are reported immediately or after review, and how and when official results are delivered. Do not assume a score shown on screen is final.
Retake and rescheduling policy
Know the rules for rescheduling, cancellation windows, fees, and retake eligibility before test day. Confirm these with the provider, since they can change and may differ by region.
Quiet, private environment for online delivery
If testing remotely, arrange a private room, a clear desk, reliable power, and a stable connection. Remove unauthorized items from the desk and room before check-in.
Plan for arrival or check-in time
Arrive at the test center or begin online check-in earlier than the appointment time, allowing for identification checks and room scans. The exact required lead time should be confirmed with the provider.
Rest, food, and medication plan
Plan sleep, a light meal, hydration, and any necessary medication around the appointment. If you have an accommodation need, confirm the approval process with the provider well in advance.
Backup plan for technical failure
For online delivery, know the provider's support contact and the procedure if the connection drops or the session is interrupted. Confirm with the provider how interruptions are handled and whether time is restored.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Review your own summary notes, error logs, and the highest-yield frameworks and definitions. Do a timed practice set under exam-like conditions to rehearse pacing, then review only what you got wrong. Re-read the provider's test-day instructions, confirm your appointment time and time zone, and verify your ID matches the registration. Check that your device, connection, and testing environment meet requirements, and resolve any open question about permitted materials or breaks with the provider now rather than on test day.
Do a light review of key concepts and your personal list of recurring mistakes, not a full content sweep. Prepare the items you will bring: ID, confirmation, and any permitted materials. Confirm travel time or set up and test your remote testing space. Avoid cramming late into the night; protect a normal sleep schedule. If you feel unprepared, resist the urge to reschedule on impulse and instead confirm the rescheduling rules with the provider before making any change.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate, but avoid heavy or unfamiliar food. Recheck your ID and confirmation, and arrive at the test center or open the online testing session with time to spare. For remote delivery, close unnecessary applications, silence devices, and clear your desk. Do a final short review of high-level frameworks only; do not try to learn new material. Keep the pre-exam period calm and avoid comparing preparation with other candidates.
Read the instructions and any tutorial screens carefully before the clock matters. Do a quick pass to answer questions you know, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the time budget per question and avoid spending disproportionate time on a single item. Read each question stem fully, noting qualifiers such as best, first, or except, and eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing. If a break is permitted, confirm whether the clock stops before taking it. If a technical problem occurs, pause and follow the provider's support procedure rather than improvising.
Note any questions or topics that felt weak while the memory is fresh, since this informs a retake plan if needed. Follow the provider's process for official results and do not treat an on-screen score as final unless the provider states it is. If you did not pass, confirm retake eligibility and waiting periods with the provider before scheduling again.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID with a name that matches your registration exactly. If there is any discrepancy, resolve it with the provider before test day; do not expect staff to waive identification requirements.
Follow all proctor instructions and testing-environment rules. For online delivery this typically includes room scans, camera and microphone access, and restrictions on unauthorized materials or devices. Confirm the full list with the provider in advance.
Do not communicate with other people, use unauthorized devices, or access unpermitted materials during the exam. Attempting to do so can lead to score invalidation or other consequences under the provider's conduct policy.
Confirm the break policy with the provider before test day, including whether breaks are timed and whether the clock stops. Do not assume a break pauses the exam.
Understand the scoring and passing standard in advance. The provider determines the passing score and the official result; any preliminary score shown at the end of the session may not be final, so confirm the reporting process with the provider.
Rescheduling, cancellation, and retake rules, including any fees or waiting periods, are set by the provider and can vary by region or delivery mode. Confirm them with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
If you need a testing accommodation, request it through the provider's process well before the appointment. Approval is not guaranteed and may require documentation.
If a technical failure or interruption occurs during a remotely proctored exam, follow the provider's support procedure immediately and document what happened. Confirm with the provider how such incidents are reviewed and whether time or scores are adjusted.