ICAS English exam-day guide
ICAS English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Session details from your school
Confirm the exact date, start time, room, and which paper (year level) you are sitting. ICAS sittings are arranged by your school, so your school's ICAS coordinator is the authoritative source, not the provider website.
Two 2B pencils, eraser, sharpener
For a paper sitting, bring at least two sharpened pencils of the same grade plus a soft eraser and a small sharpener. Multiple-choice answers are usually shaded or marked on an answer sheet, so pencil is the safe choice.
Blue or black pen (spare)
Bring one in case your supervisor asks you to write your name or candidate details on the paper. Do not assume you need it for answers.
Confirmation whether you sit online or on paper
Ask your coordinator at least a week ahead. Online sittings change what you bring and how you log in; paper sittings do not. Do not guess based on what a friend is doing.
Device, charger and login details (online sittings only)
If your school runs the online version, confirm whether the school supplies the device or you must bring your own, and confirm your login or access code with the coordinator the day before.
Headphones (only if your school instructs)
Some online setups permit or require headphones and some prohibit them. Follow your coordinator's written instruction exactly rather than bringing them on spec.
Water bottle
A clear bottle with the label removed is usually acceptable, but bottle and food rules vary by school. Confirm with your coordinator.
Candidate/student number
Know the name and student number your school registered you under, and check that the details printed on your paper or login screen match. Report any mismatch before you start.
Leave phone and smartwatch behind or powered off in your bag
Wearable and phone rules vary, but a switched-off device out of reach is the safest default. Confirm the specific rule with your supervisor.
Practice material completed
Work through any sample or practice questions your school provides so the question format and navigation (especially for online sittings) feel familiar before test day.
A watch or awareness of the clock
Smartwatches are usually not permitted; a plain analogue or digital watch is a safer way to track time if the room clock is not visible. Confirm watch rules with your supervisor.
Plan to arrive early
Aim to be at the room 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start so settling in and login or seating does not eat into your working time.
Plan the day
Confirm the sitting details in writing with your school ICAS coordinator: date, time, room, paper level, paper or online, and what you are permitted to bring. Resolve any uncertainty now, not on the day.
Do one short, timed practice set to get used to the pacing. Then stop heavy practice, protect your sleep, and keep the last two nights calm.
Pack your bag: pencils, eraser, sharpener, pen, water, and your device plus charger if the sitting is online. Charge the device overnight. Check the start time once more.
Do not cram. A brief look at question types is enough. Go to bed at your normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and follow the supervisor's seating and login instructions. Put your phone away before you enter the room.
Listen to all instructions, check that your name and details are correct, and skim the whole paper or question set so you know what is coming and where the harder sections sit.
Answer in passes: take the questions you can do quickly first, mark anything slow or uncertain, then return to the marked ones. Never leave a question blank unless your coordinator tells you that blank answers are handled differently from wrong ones.
Stop starting new hard questions. Check that every question has an answer recorded, that your answer sheet matches your intended answers, and that your details are filled in correctly.
Rules to check
Follow the supervisor's directions at all times, including where to sit, when to start and when to stop writing or clicking. The supervisor's instruction overrides anything you have read elsewhere.
Bring only permitted items to your desk. Phones, smartwatches, notes and any other unauthorised material must be switched off and out of reach. Confirm the exact list with your coordinator, since it varies between schools and between paper and online sittings.
Work silently and independently. Do not talk, copy, or let anyone see your answers or screen. Talking or looking at another candidate's work can lead to your result being cancelled.
Raise your hand if something goes wrong: a broken pencil, a frozen screen, a login failure, or a misprinted page. Do not try to fix equipment yourself and do not lose time silently.
Toilet breaks are not normally available during a short sitting, and time is not usually stopped for them. If you think you will need one, ask your coordinator beforehand rather than during the test.
Timing is strict. Extra time is normally granted only where a formal access arrangement has been approved in advance through your school. Ask your coordinator well ahead if you believe you are eligible, and do not expect it to be arranged on the day.
Scoring is normally based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for wrong ones, so attempt every question. Confirm this with your coordinator if you are unsure.
Results and certificates go to your school, not directly to you, and are usually reported with a percentile and an award level. Ask your school when and how results will be released; do not contact the provider directly about your individual result.