III IC-02 exam-day guide
III IC-02 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; do not assume a digital copy is accepted.
Appointment confirmation and test-center address
Save the confirmation email or letter offline and note the test-center address, room, and arrival time. Check the provider's site for last-minute closures or relocation notices the day before.
Know your candidate/eligibility number
Have your registration or eligibility number available in case staff ask for it. If you were not issued one, confirm with the provider what identifier they expect.
Arrival time and travel plan
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start so there is buffer for ID checks and sign-in. Confirm the provider's late-arrival cutoff; candidates arriving after it may be refused entry and lose the fee.
Permitted items only
Bring only what the provider lists as allowed. Lockers or storage may be limited, so leave bags, notes, smartwatches, and phones at home or in your vehicle. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator, formula sheet, or reference material is supplied or prohibited.
Comfort and logistics kit
Bring water, a light snack for the break, and layers in case the room is cold. These are usually permitted in the waiting area but not at the workstation; confirm with the provider.
Review the format and timing
Know the number of questions, whether items are multiple-choice or constructed-response, and whether sections are timed separately. Confirm with the provider whether you can move back and forth between questions or sections.
Confirm break and scoring rules
Ask or check in advance whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops during breaks, and how each section is weighted. Do not rely on memory of another exam's rules.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, confirm approval in writing and bring the approval letter. Confirm with the provider how to alert staff on arrival.
Rest and rehearsal plan
Protect sleep in the final 72 hours and rehearse the morning routine once. Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics; review summaries and error logs instead.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate handbook or test-day instructions and note anything you have not confirmed: ID rules, permitted items, break policy, late-arrival cutoff, and scoring. Send any questions to the provider now so there is time for a reply. Do a final review of high-yield summaries and your error log rather than new material. Confirm travel and, if needed, lodging.
Check the test-center location and any provider notices. Pack your ID, confirmation, and permitted items in one place. Set two alarms. Do a short, light review of formulas or frameworks only, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do not start a new topic.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at least 30 minutes early. Leave phones and smartwatches in the car or locker as instructed. Present your ID and confirmation at sign-in, follow staff directions for the security check, and sit down early enough to settle. Use the restroom before the exam starts.
Read the instructions and timing for each section before starting. Work at a steady pace and track time against the number of items remaining; flag difficult items and return to them if the format allows. Answer every item unless the format penalizes wrong answers, and confirm that rule with the provider beforehand. Use scheduled breaks to stand, hydrate, and reset, and return promptly. If equipment fails or you feel unwell, raise your hand and ask staff to document it rather than continuing silently.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID in the name used on your registration; confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Arrive before the provider's stated cutoff. Candidates who arrive late may be refused entry and forfeit the fee; confirm the exact cutoff with the provider.
Leave phones, smartwatches, notes, and other unauthorized items outside the testing room. Possession of prohibited items during the exam can lead to dismissal; confirm the provider's list of permitted items.
Follow all staff instructions during sign-in, the security check, and the exam. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test.
Use only breaks permitted by the provider. Confirm whether breaks are scheduled or optional and whether the clock stops; unscheduled leaving of the testing room may be treated as a violation.
Attempt every item unless the provider states that incorrect answers are penalized. Confirm the scoring and penalty rules for each section before test day.
If you experience a technical problem, illness, or disturbance, notify staff immediately and ask for it to be recorded; do not wait until after the exam to report it.
Do not share, photograph, or reproduce exam content. Confirm with the provider the confidentiality agreement you will be asked to accept and the consequences of a breach.