ICDL Advanced Presentation exam-day guide
ICDL Advanced Presentation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name used on your registration. If your name differs or you are unsure which IDs are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation details
Have your booking reference, test centre address (or remote-testing link), and start time saved offline as well as on your phone.
Arrival time confirmed
Check the arrival window the provider requires. Arrive early enough to complete check-in and ID verification; confirm the exact cut-off with the provider.
Know the exam software and format
ICDL Advanced Presentation is a practical, performance-based test taken in a simulated office environment. Practise in the same application type you will be tested on rather than only rehearsing theory.
Practise the full skill set hands-on
Rehearse creating and editing slides, applying and modifying master/template elements, inserting and formatting charts, tables, images, and shapes, applying transitions and animations, and preparing outputs such as slide shows and handouts.
Rehearse timed practice
Complete at least one full timed practice run so you know how fast you work and where you lose time. Confirm the official test duration and pass mark with the provider.
Know your keyboard shortcuts
Be fluent with common shortcuts for saving, duplicating slides, switching views, and running a slide show, so you spend time on tasks rather than menus.
Remote-testing setup (if applicable)
If testing remotely, confirm the platform, camera/microphone requirements, and any room or desk rules with the provider in advance, and test your equipment the day before.
Permitted materials clarified
Ask the provider whether any notes, reference sheets, or calculators are allowed. Do not assume; treat the default as nothing permitted except what the provider states.
Backup plan for travel or tech failure
Know the provider's policy on lateness and technical problems, and keep a contact number for the test centre or support line.
Rest and logistics
Plan travel, parking or transport, and a good night's sleep. Confirm any personal-item storage rules with the provider, as lockers may not be available.
Plan the day
Do two or three timed hands-on practice sessions covering the full syllabus. Review any error logs, then redo only the weak task types. Confirm your appointment details, ID, and centre or remote-setup logistics.
Do one light practice run rather than cramming new material. Re-read the task list so you recognise each command. Prepare your ID and confirmation details, check travel or equipment, and confirm the arrival time and any permitted-materials rules with the provider.
Eat and hydrate, arrive with time to spare, and re-check ID and booking details. If remote, test camera, microphone, and connection early. Keep the pre-test period calm and avoid last-minute cramming that raises anxiety.
Read each task fully before acting, note the marks or weighting if shown, and do the straightforward tasks first. Save frequently, verify each requirement (for example, whether a change must apply to all slides or one), and use remaining time to review before submitting. Ask the invigilator only about procedural matters, not content.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID matching your registration name; confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions and the provider's rules on personal items, phones, and desk space; confirm specifics with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates or use unauthorised materials or devices during the test.
Ask the invigilator about procedural issues such as saving or a technical fault, but not about how to complete a task.
Confirm the provider's policy on breaks, lateness, and rescheduling before test day; do not assume a break is available.
Understand the scoring and pass mark from the provider in advance; the test is typically marked automatically on task performance.
If a technical problem occurs, stop and alert the invigilator immediately rather than attempting your own workaround.
Confirm the provider's policy on retakes and result reporting timelines if these matter to your plans.