ICCP DGSP exam-day guide
ICCP DGSP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted (passport, driver's license, etc.) and whether a secondary ID is required.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have the confirmation email or scheduling receipt available, either printed or on your phone, with the test center address, date, time, and any candidate ID number. Confirm with the provider whether printed confirmation is mandatory.
Know your test delivery format
Determine in advance whether you are taking the exam at a test center or via remote proctoring. Remote sessions typically require a webcam, microphone, and a system check; confirm the specific technical requirements with the provider.
Review the provider's candidate handbook
Read the current handbook for arrival time, late-arrival policy, permitted items, break rules, and scoring. Policies change; use the version dated closest to your exam date. Confirm details with the provider if anything is unclear.
Plan your travel and arrival buffer
Arrive earlier than the stated check-in time to allow for security screening and ID verification. For remote exams, log in early to complete the proctor check-in. Confirm the recommended arrival buffer with the provider.
Permitted items only
Leave unauthorized materials at home or in a locker. Assume no notes, phones, smartwatches, or outside reference materials are allowed unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
Comfort and focus basics
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and get a full night's sleep. Dress in layers for variable room temperature. For remote exams, clear your desk and workspace of all items before the session.
Scoring and results expectations
Know the passing standard, whether scoring is criterion-referenced, and when and how results are released. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Break policy awareness
Understand whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops during breaks, and what you may access during a break. Confirm the break policy with the provider before exam day.
Accommodations confirmation
If you requested testing accommodations, confirm approval and logistics with the provider well before exam day. Bring any approval documentation the provider requires.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and flagged weak areas only. Take one short practice set to calibrate pacing, then rest. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook and confirm your appointment time, location or remote-session link, and ID requirements. Prepare your bag or workspace so nothing is left to chance on the day.
Confirm travel logistics or run the remote system check. Charge devices and prepare backup power. Set two alarms. Avoid cramming late into the night; sleep is more valuable than last-minute review. Lay out your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Confirm with the provider if you have any unresolved question about arrival time or permitted materials.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine to your usual amount. Arrive at the test center or log in for remote proctoring with time to spare. Keep your ID and confirmation accessible. Follow proctor instructions exactly during check-in. Do not bring study notes into the secure area.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely', 'except', and 'best'. Answer the easy questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Budget time based on the number of questions and any scheduled breaks. If a question is unclear, choose the best-supported answer rather than leaving it blank unless the provider's rules penalize guessing. Use breaks only as permitted, and note that unscheduled breaks may not stop the clock.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID in the name on your registration. Confirm accepted ID forms with the provider before exam day.
Arrive or log in by the provider's stated check-in time. Late arrival may result in forfeiture of your seat or fee; confirm the exact late-arrival policy with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorized materials into the testing area. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and outside reference materials are generally prohibited; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
Follow all proctor and test-center instructions. Unauthorized behavior, communication with others, or attempts to capture exam content may lead to score cancellation or other sanctions.
Understand the break policy before you start: whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock runs during breaks, and what you may access. Confirm these details with the provider.
Know the scoring and passing standard, and when results will be released. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on unofficial sources.
If you need accommodations, request and confirm them with the provider in advance; accommodations are generally not arranged on exam day.
Report any technical or environmental problem to the proctor immediately. Do not attempt to troubleshoot a remote session on your own without notifying the proctor.