ICC 21 exam-day guide
ICC 21 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name that matches your registration exactly. Accepted ID types and name-match rules vary, so confirm the specific list with your exam provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation and candidate/registration number
Have your confirmation email, appointment time, and candidate ID accessible (printed or on your phone before you enter the testing area, since phones are usually stored).
Exact test location or proctoring link
For a test center: full address, parking/transit plan, and building/room number. For remote proctoring: the launch link, your login credentials, and the check-in window. Confirm arrival/check-in time with the provider.
Secondary ID or signature card if required
Some providers require a second form of ID. Confirm whether one is required for your exam and appointment type.
Approved reference materials, if any
If your exam permits bound references, tabs, or a formula sheet, confirm which editions and annotation rules apply. Do not assume materials are allowed - verify with the provider.
Calculator policy
Confirm whether a calculator is provided on-screen, whether a personal model is permitted, and which models are banned. Do not bring one unless it is explicitly allowed.
Knowledge of personal-item and storage rules
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are typically prohibited in the testing room and must be stored. Confirm whether lockers are available or whether you should leave items at home.
Remote-proctoring equipment check (if testing online)
Run the provider's system test in advance: webcam, microphone, browser lock, and stable wired-or-strong Wi-Fi. Prepare a private, quiet, well-lit room with a closed door and a clear desk.
Comfort and focus items you are allowed to keep
Glasses, water in a clear container, and layers are commonly permitted but not universal - confirm. Eat a normal meal beforehand; avoid trying a heavy caffeine dose for the first time.
A one-page summary of your weakest areas
Build it in the final week and review it only until the night before. Do not bring it into the testing room unless the provider explicitly allows notes.
Plan the day
Re-confirm appointment date, time, location or proctoring link, and ID requirements with the provider. Resolve any discrepancy in your name or appointment now, not on test day.
Run the system test if you are testing remotely, and print or save the check-in instructions. Confirm parking, transit, or room-setup logistics.
Stop learning new material. Spend remaining study time on flagged practice questions and your one-page summary of weak domains.
Protect sleep. Shift bedtime earlier over these three nights rather than cramming late; recall and pacing suffer more from fatigue than from one missed review session.
Do a light review of the summary sheet only. Confirm allowed materials, calculator policy, and break rules so nothing surprises you at check-in.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and any approved items in one bag. Lay out clothes. Set two alarms and confirm your travel time with a buffer.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and arrive or log in early - many providers recommend arriving ahead of your appointment, so confirm the specific window with them.
Leave prohibited items behind or stored. Do not do heavy last-minute cramming; a brief glance at your summary sheet is enough.
Complete the tutorial and any nondisclosure acknowledgment, then write down key formulas, thresholds, or a time budget on scratch material only if the provider supplies and permits it.
Work at a steady pace against your per-question time budget. Flag and move past any item that stalls you; do not let one question consume several minutes.
Reserve time to revisit flagged items and confirm you have answered every question, since unanswered items score as wrong on most exams.
For technical failures, connectivity loss, or a proctor interruption, stop and notify the proctor or support channel immediately and record a case or ticket number before continuing.
Rules to check
Bring only items the provider explicitly permits. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, leave it at home rather than risk a conduct violation - confirm the permitted-items list with the provider in advance.
The name on your ID must match your registration. Name mismatches are a common cause of denied entry, so correct any discrepancy well before test day - confirm the provider's exact matching rule.
No phones, smartwatches, notes, or unauthorized reference materials in the testing area. Devices are typically stored or surrendered; follow the proctor's instructions exactly. Confirm storage arrangements with the provider.
Break rules vary: some exams offer scheduled breaks, some allow unscheduled ones, and on many timed exams the clock keeps running during breaks. Confirm your exam's break policy and whether the timer pauses.
Scoring conventions differ by program - scaled scores, pass points, and whether unanswered or wrong answers are penalized all depend on the exam. Confirm the scoring and retake policy with the provider rather than assuming.
Do not record, photograph, reproduce, or discuss specific exam content. Most programs require a nondisclosure agreement at check-in; read what you sign.
Follow all proctor directions immediately, including desk clearing, room scans, and identity verification. Disputed instructions should be raised politely after the exam, not argued in the testing room.
If you must reschedule or cancel, do so within the provider's stated window to avoid forfeiting your fee. Confirm the deadline and any fees - these are set by the provider and vary by appointment type.
If you have a documented accommodation need, arrangements are generally made in advance and not at check-in. Contact the provider early to confirm the process and required documentation.
Treat any specific policy detail in this guide as unconfirmed until you verify it with your exam provider.