ICC 75 exam-day guide
ICC 75 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission / authorization document
Print or save whatever confirmation the provider issues after scheduling. Whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is accepted varies by test center, so confirm with the provider and bring a printed copy either way.
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a valid, unexpired ID with a signature and photo. The name must match your registration exactly, including middle name or suffix. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Registration / candidate ID number
Write your candidate or eligibility number on a small card in your wallet so check-in does not stall if you cannot log in to your account on site.
Approved reference books
Most code-based certification exams are open-book. Confirm with the provider the exact titles, editions, and years permitted before you pack, since an outdated edition may be refused.
Tabs, highlights, and handwritten notes in references
Many programs allow permanent tabs and highlighting but restrict loose inserts, sticky notes, or written pages. Confirm the current annotation policy with the provider; when unsure, bring a clean copy.
Binding format for printed materials
Some centers require references to be permanently bound and reject loose-leaf pages or unbound printouts. Confirm the binding rule with the provider before the exam day.
Calculator
If a calculator is needed, confirm whether one is permitted, which models are banned, and whether the testing software supplies an on-screen calculator.
Pencils, eraser, highlighter, and a simple watch
Bring two pencils. A basic non-smart watch helps with pacing if the room clock is not visible; confirm whether wristwatches are allowed in your center.
Layers and comfort items
Testing rooms often run cold or warm. Dress in layers and follow the center's dress and pocket-emptying rules, which you should confirm in advance.
Snack and water for after the exam
Most centers restrict food and drink in the testing room but allow access during a scheduled break or after the exam. Confirm storage and break-area rules with the provider.
Travel and arrival plan
Confirm the check-in window and arrival time. Build in extra time for traffic, parking, and security screening; many centers deny entry to candidates who arrive after the stated cutoff.
Provider contact number
Save the exam provider's support line and your appointment confirmation in your phone so you can call immediately if you are delayed or the center has an issue.
Plan the day
Re-check the appointment date, time, and address on your confirmation, and verify your ID name matches your registration character for character. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook for current rules on references, calculators, and breaks. Pack your references and confirm the editions you are bringing are the allowed ones.
Do one timed practice set under exam conditions using only your permitted references. Spend the remaining time locating key chapters and tables rather than memorizing new content; navigation speed is usually what separates a passing score from a failing one on open-book code exams.
Lay out your ID, confirmation document, references, pencils, calculator, and layers by the door. Confirm your route and parking, and check for any last-minute scheduling email from the provider.
Stop heavy studying in the evening. Do a light pass over your tab locations, set two alarms, and prioritize sleep. Avoid cramming new material you cannot reinforce.
Eat a normal meal, take any needed medication, and leave earlier than your map estimate. Arrive within the check-in window. Keep your phone off and stowed according to the center's rules from the moment you enter.
Present your ID and confirmation, store prohibited items where the proctor directs, and read the security and confidentiality agreement carefully before signing or accepting it on screen.
Read the instructions and note the number of questions, the time limit, and how to flag and review items. Confirm the reference materials permitted on screen or at your desk match what you brought.
Work in two passes. First pass: answer everything you know quickly and flag anything that requires deep lookup. Second pass: return to flagged items with your remaining time. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the final minutes for a review pass rather than last-second lookups.
If a scheduled break is offered, confirm with the proctor whether the clock stops. On unscheduled breaks, assume the timer keeps running until you have confirmed otherwise.
Answer every item; unanswered questions usually score as wrong. Review flagged questions, then submit deliberately and confirm the submission screen before leaving. Ask how and when results will be reported if it is not shown immediately.
Rules to check
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID with a signature, and make sure the name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID forms and secondary documents are acceptable.
Use only the reference materials explicitly permitted for your exam, in the editions and binding format the provider allows. Confirm the current policy on tabs, highlights, and handwritten notes with the provider before exam day.
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices are almost always prohibited in the testing room. Confirm the center's storage and device rules, and never assume a device is allowed because it is silent.
Arrive within the published check-in window. Late arrivals are commonly denied entry and may forfeit the fee; confirm the exact cutoff and the rescheduling policy with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions. Talking, sharing materials, or leaving the room without permission can result in your exam being voided regardless of your score.
Assume unscheduled breaks count against your time unless the proctor confirms otherwise. Confirm in advance whether a scheduled break is offered and how it affects the clock.
Scoring and reporting procedures vary by program; confirm the passing standard, whether a scaled score is used, and whether results are immediate or delivered later. Do not rely on score assumptions from other exams.
The confidentiality agreement you accept at check-in is binding. Do not reproduce, discuss, or share exam content afterward, and expect consequences for misconduct to include score cancellation and eligibility loss.