ICAS Science exam-day guide
ICAS Science · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirmation of sitting details
Ask your school's ICAS coordinator to confirm the exact date, start time, room, and whether you are sitting the paper or online version. ICAS sittings are arranged through the school, so the coordinator's word overrides anything in a general guide.
Two pencils or pens plus eraser and sharpener
Bring at least two writing instruments in case one fails. For a paper sitting, a soft (HB or B) pencil is a safe default for multiple-choice bubbles; check whether your venue requires pen instead.
Ruler
Useful for reading values off graphs and drawing straight lines on diagrams. Pack one, but put it away if a supervisor says only listed equipment is allowed.
Calculator decision
Calculators are generally restricted in ICAS Science because the paper tests data interpretation rather than computation. Do not assume one is allowed, and do not rely on needing one.
Plain analogue watch
Not every exam room has a visible clock. A basic watch with no smart features, no alarms, and no connectivity is the safe option; smartwatches are almost always prohibited.
Student or school identification
Bring whatever identification your school normally requires for internal exams. Some venues ask for a student card or candidate number slip, so confirm the local requirement.
Clear water bottle
A transparent bottle with the label removed is commonly permitted. Confirm whether drinks are allowed in your exam room at all.
Glasses or hearing aids if you use them
Bring any prescribed aids you normally rely on in class, plus spare batteries for devices that need them.
Written permission for any permitted item
If you have an approved adjustment (extra time, separate room, rest breaks), carry the documentation your coordinator issued and introduce yourself to the supervisor on arrival.
Completed a practice set under time
Work through the official ICAS sample or practice questions for Science at least once so the question style and answer sheet format feel familiar before the day.
Plan the day
Reconfirm the sitting details with your coordinator. Do one timed practice set and mark it honestly, then spend your remaining study time on the question types that cost you marks: reading tables and graphs, identifying variables in an experiment, and choosing between two plausible explanations.
Shift your sleep schedule so you are awake and alert at the exam's start time. Late-night cramming costs more in concentration than it gains in recall.
Assemble your stationery and identification in one bag now, so the last 24 hours are about settling down rather than searching for things.
Do light revision only: skim a summary of key science ideas across biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space, and re-read the instructions for the answer sheet or online platform. Stop studying in the evening.
Check transport and journey time, lay out clothes, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive with time to spare, typically 15 to 30 minutes before the start, so you can find your seat and settle. Use the bathroom before you go in.
Switch your phone off and put it away before entering the room, not after you sit down. Listen to the supervisor's instructions and check your name and candidate details on any materials.
Skim the whole paper first so you know how many questions there are and where the harder multi-part data questions sit. Budget your time by dividing the minutes available by the number of questions, and leave a few minutes at the end.
Answer in two passes: do every question you can resolve quickly, marking anything doubtful, then return to the flagged ones. Never leave a blank if there is no penalty for a wrong answer, which you should confirm with your coordinator before the day.
For data questions, read the axis labels and units before the question text, and check whether the question asks for a trend, a value, or a cause. For experiment questions, identify what was changed, what was measured, and what was kept the same.
Watch for negatives in the stem, such as 'not' and 'except', and be suspicious of options containing absolutes like 'always' or 'proves'. Eliminate two options first, then decide between the survivors.
Check that answers are recorded in the right place: bubble in the matching question number on paper, or confirm each response saved on screen. In the final minutes, verify no question is unanswered and your name is on everything.
Rules to check
Follow your school's identification requirement exactly. If you are unsure what to bring, ask your coordinator in advance rather than at the door.
Phones, smartwatches, and any device with connectivity or a camera stay off and out of reach for the whole session. Having one on you during the test can be treated as misconduct even if you never look at it.
Bring only equipment you have been told is allowed. If a supervisor says an item must be handed in, hand it over without argument; you can query it afterwards through your coordinator.
Work silently and independently. Do not talk, signal, or share materials once the paper is distributed, and do not look at another candidate's screen or paper.
If you need to leave the room, use the toilet, or take a permitted rest break, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Do not simply get up.
Ask a supervisor only about administrative matters such as a missing page or a faulty screen. They cannot explain, interpret, or hint at the content of any question.
If you believe there is a printing or technical fault, report it immediately rather than after the session. Late reports are much harder to resolve.
Scoring and result release are handled by the provider and reported through your school. Confirm the marking scheme, whether wrong answers are penalised, and when results arrive with your coordinator before the test day, and do not rely on rumour from other candidates.