IB Security Assistant exam-day guide
IB Security Assistant · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, physical ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID) whose name matches your registration exactly. Expired or photocopied ID is commonly refused. If your registration name differs from your ID, or you are unsure which ID forms the test centre accepts, confirm with the provider before test day.
Admission or confirmation document
Carry your appointment confirmation, admission ticket, or the email showing your test date, time, and centre address. Some centres ask to see it at check-in; keep it printed and also available on your phone.
Know your exact test centre and route
Write down the full address, building, floor, and room if provided, plus the transport route and a backup route. Do a practice run or check live transit times the day before. Arrive early; late arrivals are frequently refused entry and fees are rarely refunded.
Confirm arrival time and check-in window
Your reporting time is usually earlier than the start time. Check the provider's instructions for how early to arrive and what happens if you are late. If the reporting time is not stated clearly, confirm with the provider.
Confirm what is allowed in the testing room
Most secure-testing venues prohibit phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags at the desk; many provide lockers but some do not. Check the provider's list of permitted and prohibited items and plan to travel light. Do not assume a calculator, paper, or water bottle is allowed; confirm with the provider.
Review the test format and timing
Know the number of questions, time limit, whether sections are separately timed, and whether there is a break. This shapes your pacing plan. If the format is not published, confirm with the provider.
Prepare your pacing plan
Decide in advance how many minutes per question you can afford and the checkpoint you should reach at the halfway mark. Plan to flag uncertain questions and return to them rather than stalling.
Sleep and nutrition plan
Protect sleep for the two nights before the test and eat a normal meal before arriving. Avoid starting new caffeine levels on test morning if you are not used to them.
Light review materials only
Bring a one-page summary of key concepts or your own notes for last-minute review while waiting, if the venue allows materials in the waiting area. Do not plan to study heavily on the morning of the test.
Backup plan for disruptions
Save the centre's phone number and the provider's contact details, and note what to do if transport fails or you feel unwell. If you are unsure of the reschedule or absence policy, confirm with the provider.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, confirm that your request was approved and what documentation to bring. Arrangements are usually fixed in advance and cannot be granted on the day.
Personal comfort items within the rules
Bring layers in case the room is cold and any medication you may need, but check first whether these must be declared or left outside. Confirm with the provider if the policy is unclear.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's instructions end to end: reporting time, address, ID requirements, prohibited items, and test format. Resolve every open question with the provider now rather than on test day. Confirm your transport plan and, if relevant, your accommodation.
Do a final diagnostic-style review rather than learning new material. Focus on your weakest two or three topic areas, using short timed practice sets to check pacing. Stop heavy study at least a day before the test.
Prepare your documents and bag: ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Set them in one place so nothing is forgotten. Check that your ID is valid and the name matches your registration.
Confirm the test time and location one last time, including any change notices from the provider. Check transit schedules and plan to arrive with a buffer. Set two alarms.
Do a light review only: skim your one-page summary and the pacing plan. Avoid new topics and avoid intensive practice tests that could shake confidence.
Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Pack your bag and lay out clothes so the morning is frictionless.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave earlier than the route suggests. Bring only what is permitted; leave valuables at home.
Skip heavy cramming. If you review, limit it to your summary sheet in the waiting area. Keep calm and follow check-in instructions; staff will direct you on ID checks, storage, and seating.
Read the instructions and note the time limit before starting. Work at a steady pace, answer easier questions first if the interface allows navigation, and flag uncertain ones for review.
Watch your checkpoint times. If you fall behind, guess and move on rather than leaving questions blank, unless the scoring penalizes wrong answers; if you are unsure whether it does, confirm with the provider beforehand.
If a break is offered, use it to stand, hydrate, and reset, but return within the stated time. If you feel unwell or a technical problem occurs, raise your hand and tell the invigilator immediately rather than waiting.
Note anything relevant for a possible retake while it is fresh, and check the provider's stated timeline for results and score reporting.
Rules to check
Bring valid, original photo ID matching your registration name; without acceptable ID you will likely be refused entry and may forfeit your fee. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Late arrivals are commonly refused entry, and refunds or reschedules are usually not granted for lateness. If the late-arrival policy matters to you, confirm with the provider.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and the test administrator. Do not bring phones, smartwatches, notes, or other unauthorized materials into the testing room; possession may be treated as misconduct even if unused.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, do not attempt to copy or share questions, and do not remove test materials. Suspected cheating can lead to score cancellation.
Use only breaks that are explicitly permitted and return within the stated time. Unauthorized breaks may not be allowed, and leaving the room may be recorded. Confirm the break policy with the provider.
Understand the scoring rules before you sit: whether unanswered questions count as wrong and whether wrong answers are penalized. If this is not published, confirm with the provider so your guessing strategy is sound.
If you need accommodations, they must be approved in advance. On-the-day requests are generally not granted; confirm your arrangements with the provider beforehand.
Keep your registration and results correspondence. If you believe a technical or administrative problem affected your test, report it to the invigilator on the day and follow the provider's stated appeals or complaint process.