III IC-89 exam-day guide
III IC-89 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type and name spelling your registration uses. If your name differs between documents, or you are unsure which ID types are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation and testing-provider login
Have your confirmation number, registration email, and account credentials accessible. For a remote-proctored sitting, verify the platform login works at least a day ahead.
Know your exam's format and time limit
Confirm the number of questions, total seat time, and whether sections are timed separately. Do not rely on secondhand reports; check the official candidate handbook or confirm with the provider.
Permitted reference or materials list
Determine in advance whether any reference material, formula sheet, or calculator is supplied on-screen or must be requested. Policy varies; confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Test-center logistics or remote-setup check
For a test center, confirm address, parking, and arrival window. For remote delivery, run the system check for camera, microphone, browser, and bandwidth, and close all other applications.
Quiet, private, well-lit room (remote delivery)
Clear the desk of papers, phones, and wearables. A proctor may ask you to pan the camera around the room; have the space ready before check-in.
Break and timing plan
Ask whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops. If you are unsure, confirm with the provider, then plan hydration and restroom visits around the known rules.
Scoring and results-timing expectations
Know whether results are immediate or delayed and what the passing standard is. If the handbook does not state it clearly, confirm with the provider; do not guess a scaled score.
Retake and reschedule policy
Note any waiting period between attempts and the deadline for rescheduling without penalty. These differ by program; verify in your own registration terms.
Logistics for the rest of the day
Plan transport, meals, and a buffer after the exam. Avoid scheduling anything tight immediately after a long sitting.
Backup plan for technical failure
Save the provider's support phone number and know the procedure if the connection drops. If the escalation path is not documented, confirm with the provider beforehand.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Re-read your own summary notes and error log, focusing on the areas where you have repeatedly lost points. Do one timed mixed set to rehearse pacing, then review it thoroughly rather than doing more sets. Confirm appointment time, location or remote setup, and ID requirements. Protect sleep: shift bedtime earlier rather than cramming late.
Do a light review of high-yield lists and formulas only. Run the full remote system check or travel the route to the test center at the same time of day as your appointment. Pack ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Decide your exam-day strategy: how many minutes per question, when to flag and move on, and how much time to reserve for review. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine to your usual amount. Arrive or log in early per the arrival window you confirmed. Do a short warm-up of a few easy recall items, not a full practice test. At check-in, follow proctor instructions exactly and keep the desk clear. Use the restroom before the clock starts if breaks are restricted.
Read the full question and all options before answering. Answer easy items first and flag long or uncertain ones; do not let one question consume a disproportionate share of time. For scenario items, identify what is being asked and eliminate options that are technically true but do not answer it. Watch the clock at quarter points and adjust pace. If a break is permitted, take it and return with a reset plan. Leave time to revisit flagged items and confirm no question is left blank unless the format penalizes guessing, which you should verify beforehand.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh, in case a retake is needed. Follow the provider's stated process for receiving results and, if applicable, requesting a score report. Do not discuss specific exam content with others, per the confidentiality agreement you accepted.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired identification matching your registration exactly. If you are unsure which documents qualify, confirm with the provider before test day.
Follow all proctor and administrator instructions. Refusal to comply with a security check or room scan can result in removal from the session.
Do not bring unauthorized materials into the testing area: no notes, phones, smart watches, or other devices unless explicitly permitted. Ask the provider in advance what is allowed.
Keep exam content confidential. Do not record, reproduce, or share questions or answers; doing so typically violates the candidate agreement and can void your result.
Breaks are governed by the specific exam's rules, including whether the timer runs during a break. Confirm the break policy with the provider rather than assuming.
Scoring and the passing standard are set by the program. Do not rely on unofficial pass-score claims; check the official handbook or confirm with the provider.
Report any technical problem or interruption to the proctor immediately and note the time. Do not attempt to troubleshoot in a way that leaves the proctored view.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, follow the deadlines and fees in your registration terms. Late changes may forfeit the fee, so verify the policy with the provider.