IATA Consultant exam-day guide
IATA Consultant · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, valid photo ID in the name used on your registration. Exactly which forms are accepted (passport vs. national ID vs. driver's license) and whether a secondary ID is required depends on the test provider and test center - confirm with the provider and check the name matches your booking character-for-character.
Appointment confirmation and candidate/eligibility number
Bring the confirmation email or appointment number and any candidate ID issued to you. If your exam is delivered through a training provider or an authorized test center, the exact identifier and whether a printed copy is required are set by that provider - confirm with the provider before exam day.
Know your delivery format and platform
Confirm in advance whether you sit a paper-based exam, a computer-based test at a center, or a remotely proctored online exam, and which platform is used. For remote delivery, run the platform's system check (camera, microphone, browser, bandwidth) at least 24 hours ahead so you can fix problems before the appointment.
Review the permitted-materials list
IATA-style exams commonly restrict what you may bring to the desk. Ask the provider what is allowed (for example, whether any reference material, calculator, or scratch paper is provided or prohibited). Do not assume; the rules differ by exam and delivery mode - confirm with the provider.
Check the exam structure and time allowed
Know the number of questions, time limit, and whether sections are timed separately. This lets you pace yourself and decide in advance how to handle flagged or skipped items. If the structure is not stated in your candidate handbook, confirm with the provider.
Confirm the pass mark and scoring method
Find out whether the exam is scored on a raw percentage or a scaled score, and whether wrong answers are penalized. If you cannot find this in official candidate information, confirm with the provider - do not rely on forum claims.
Plan travel and arrival time
For a test-center exam, confirm the required arrival time (often earlier than the start time for check-in) and plan to arrive with margin for transport delays. For a remote exam, plan to be logged in and checked in before the start time.
Prepare your workspace (remote exams)
Use a quiet, private room with a clear desk, good lighting, and a stable internet connection. Close other applications and remove phones, notes, and unauthorized items from the desk. The exact room and desk rules are set by the proctoring provider - confirm with the provider.
Decide what you will NOT bring
Leave notes, textbooks, smart watches, and phones out of the exam area unless the provider explicitly permits them. Unauthorized materials can lead to invalidation of your result, so when in doubt, leave it out.
Prepare logistics for breaks and duration
Check whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops during a break, and what happens if you leave the room during a remote exam. Break rules vary by exam and provider - confirm with the provider and plan hydration and restroom visits around them.
Sleep and study taper
In the last 24 hours, prioritize sleep and light review of weak areas over new material. Cramming new topics the night before tends to increase errors on recall questions.
Backup plan for technical failure
Know the provider's support contact and procedure if the platform fails or the connection drops mid-exam. Save the support number or chat link where you can reach it without leaving the exam interface.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook or appointment confirmation and verify the exam format, time, location or platform, ID requirements, and permitted materials. Resolve any ambiguity with the provider now, not on exam day. Then do a focused review of your weakest two or three syllabus areas using practice questions, and stop adding new topics you have not studied.
Take one timed practice set under exam conditions to rehearse pacing. Review every wrong answer and note the reason (knowledge gap, misread, or time pressure). Confirm travel plans or run the remote system check again if anything changed. Check the weather and transport disruptions for your route if traveling to a center.
Do a light review only: key definitions, formulas, and regulatory or procedural frameworks you keep confusing. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Confirm the start time in your local time zone to avoid conversion errors. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do not start a new topic.
Eat a normal meal and arrive or log in early with margin. Re-check that your ID is in the name on the booking. For a remote exam, close background applications, silence devices, and clear your desk. Do a final calm skim of your own summary notes, not new material, and stop studying at least 30 minutes before the start.
Follow the proctor or test-center staff instructions exactly. Present your ID when asked, complete any security checks, and read the on-screen instructions before starting. If something is unclear about the interface or rules, ask before the timer starts.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'except', 'best', and 'most likely'. Answer the easier questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Track your pace against the number of questions and remaining time. If a question is taking too long, make a reasoned choice, flag it, and move on. Use any review time at the end to check flagged items and confirm you have answered every question if there is no penalty for guessing.
Note how you felt about specific topic areas while it is fresh, and confirm with the provider when and how results are issued. Do not post or discuss specific exam content online, as this can breach the candidate agreement.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID in the exact name used for your registration. If your ID name differs from your booking, contact the provider before exam day; a mismatch can prevent you from sitting the exam.
Follow all instructions from test-center staff or the remote proctor. The specific conduct, room, and desk rules are set by the provider - confirm with the provider in advance rather than assuming.
Do not bring or use unauthorized materials, including notes, textbooks, phones, and smart watches, unless the provider explicitly permits them. Unauthorized materials can lead to your result being invalidated.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not copy, photograph, or share exam questions. Candidate agreements typically prohibit disclosing exam content.
Confirm the break policy in advance. Whether breaks are allowed, whether the timer pauses, and what happens if you leave the room during a remote exam vary by exam and provider - confirm with the provider.
Understand the scoring method before you sit: whether it is a raw percentage or scaled score, and whether unanswered or wrong answers are penalized. This affects whether you should guess on items you cannot resolve.
If the platform fails or your connection drops, stay calm and follow the provider's documented support procedure. Report the issue promptly so it is logged and can be considered.
Arrive or log in before the scheduled start. Late arrival may result in being refused entry or losing your appointment, depending on the provider's rules - confirm the cut-off with the provider.