IL POST exam-day guide
IL POST · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second piece is required; a photocopy or expired document is normally refused.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Print or save the booking confirmation showing date, time, and test centre address or remote-proctoring link. Store the candidate/registration number where you can find it quickly at check-in.
Test centre address, route, and travel plan
Check the exact building and entrance in advance, note parking or public transport options, and plan to arrive with a buffer. Confirm with the provider the arrival time and late-arrival policy, since these vary.
Remote-proctoring system check (if testing online)
Run any required equipment or compatibility test and install the proctoring software ahead of time. Confirm with the provider the room, camera, desk, and ID requirements for remote delivery.
Permitted items only
Assume nothing beyond ID and confirmation is allowed at your desk unless the provider says otherwise. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, pens, calculators, or reference material are supplied or prohibited.
Storage plan for phone and personal belongings
Expect to switch off and store your phone and bag as instructed. Do not rely on having your phone during the test; confirm with the provider what storage is available.
Water, snack, and medication for breaks
If breaks are permitted, keep a drink and any necessary medication accessible in line with venue rules. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed and whether items can be accessed during them.
Rest, food, and hydration the day before
Protect sleep, eat a normal meal, and avoid last-minute cramming that leaves you tired. Practical readiness affects performance as much as content knowledge.
Light final review material only
Bring a short summary of key facts or formulas to skim before entry, then put it away. Confirm with the provider whether any material may be reviewed in the waiting area.
Watch or time-awareness plan
Know how you will track time if a clock is not visible or a watch is not permitted. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is allowed and how remaining time is displayed.
Access arrangements or accommodations confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, verify in advance that they are approved and recorded. Confirm with the provider the process and deadline; arrangements are rarely granted on the day.
Emergency contact and provider contact details
Save the provider's contact number in case of illness, delay, or technical failure. Confirm with the provider how to report a problem before or during the test.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary notes and weak areas, then do one timed practice set under realistic conditions to rehearse pacing. Check the appointment details, ID, travel route, and any remote-proctoring requirements. Confirm with the provider any open questions about permitted items, arrival time, and accommodations. Protect sleep in these three nights rather than trading it for extra study.
Do a light review only, then stop. Prepare and lay out ID, confirmation, and permitted items by the door. Recheck the start time and location or link, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy alcohol and caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual time. If testing remotely, run the system check once more and clear your desk area.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Arrive or log in with a comfortable buffer, allowing for transport delays or software setup. Leave phones and non-permitted items stored as instructed. Skim only your short summary, then put it away. Use the toilet before you begin, and stay calm if something goes wrong by contacting the provider promptly.
Read the instructions and note how many questions there are and how much time you have. Work at a steady pace, flagging difficult items to return to rather than stalling. Answer every question if there is no penalty for guessing, and watch the clock so you leave time to review flagged items. If a break is permitted, use it to reset briefly. Report any technical or environmental problem to the invigilator or proctor immediately rather than waiting until the end.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired photo ID in the name you registered with; without acceptable ID you may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator or proctor, including where to sit, what may be on your desk, and when you may start or stop writing.
Do not bring unauthorized materials or devices into the testing room, and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Treat any suspected irregularity as something to raise with staff, not resolve yourself.
Arrive by the time the provider specifies; late arrival may mean refused entry or reduced time. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival and late-arrival policy.
Breaks, if any, are at the provider's discretion and may be monitored. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed, how they affect your time, and what you may access during them.
Scoring and results timelines are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider how the test is scored, when results are released, and how to appeal or query a result.
If illness, a technical failure, or another problem affects your test, report it to staff or the proctor as soon as possible and follow the provider's process for documenting it.
Do not discuss, record, or share test content afterward in any form. Confirm with the provider any confidentiality agreement you accepted when booking.