ITIL 4 Foundation exam-day guide
ITIL 4 Foundation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document (not a photocopy or photo on your phone). The name must match the name on your exam booking exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types they accept for your location and whether a second form of ID is required.
Booking confirmation and launch link
Have the confirmation email open and note the start time in your local time zone - bookings are often shown in a different zone. Know whether you are testing online with a live proctor or at a test centre, because the check-in steps differ.
Webcam, microphone and speakers/headset (online exams)
Built-in laptop camera and mic are usually fine, but test them the day before. Have a wired or well-charged headset as a backup. Confirm with the provider whether headsets are permitted or whether speakers are required.
Stable internet plus a backup connection
Wired ethernet beats Wi-Fi. Have a phone hotspot ready as a fallback in case your primary connection drops mid-exam.
Completed system/equipment check
Most online-proctored providers supply a pre-exam system test. Run it at least 24 hours ahead so there is time to fix browser, firewall or permission issues. Confirm with the provider whether a specific browser or a secure lockdown application is required.
Cleared desk and room
ITIL 4 Foundation is a closed-book exam. Remove notes, books, printed material, sticky notes, second monitors and anything with writing on it from the desk and immediate area.
Phone silenced and put away
Switch it off or on silent and place it out of reach unless the proctor instructs you to use it for check-in or identity verification.
Private, quiet room with a closed door
Tell household members you are unavailable, silence doorbells and notifications, and expect a room scan at check-in for online exams.
Water in a clear, unlabelled container
Confirm with the provider what drinks and containers are allowed in your exam session before relying on it.
Login credentials to hand
Write them down on paper before the session begins if you need to, but keep the paper off the desk during the exam. Have the provider's technical support number saved.
Knowledge of the exam format
40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, with a pass mark of 65% (26 of 40). If you are taking the exam in a language other than your native language, extra time is commonly available - confirm your eligibility with the provider in advance.
Plan the day
Re-read the ITIL 4 Foundation syllabus and the key definitions of the four dimensions, the service value chain, the management practices and the guiding principles. Take one full timed practice exam under exam conditions and note which syllabus areas cost you the most marks.
Confirm your appointment: date, start time in your local time zone, online versus test centre, and the exact ID you will present. Resolve any mismatch between your booking name and your ID now, not on the day.
Run the provider's system and equipment check, update your browser, restart the machine, and test your backup internet. Check the provider's rules on permitted items, breaks and late arrival.
Take a second full practice exam, then review only your wrong answers - do not start learning new material. Re-read a one-page summary of definitions and the guiding principles. Stop studying by early evening.
Prepare and lay out your ID, confirmation details, water and any permitted items. Set two alarms. Get a full night's sleep; sleep is worth more than a late-night cram.
Eat properly and avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety. Do a 15-minute light review of definitions only - no new topics, no practice questions that could dent your confidence.
Clear the desk, shut down unnecessary applications, silence notifications, and log in 15-30 minutes before your start time to allow for identity checks and the room scan. Have your phone and support number nearby for check-in only.
Read each question twice and watch for words like 'BEST', 'MOST likely' or 'FIRST' - they change the answer. Budget roughly 90 seconds per question and answer every question: there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank.
Eliminate clearly wrong options first, then choose between the survivors. Prefer answers that describe value co-creation, outcomes and continual improvement over answers that sound like rigid process bureaucracy. If a question stalls you, mark your best guess and move on.
Use remaining time to revisit flagged questions only, and change an answer only when you can point to a concrete reason. Submit deliberately, then note the result shown and wait for the provider's formal confirmation.
Rules to check
This is a closed-book exam: no notes, textbooks, printed material, second screens, smart devices or unauthorised software. A breach can void your result and may trigger a misconduct process.
The name on your ID must match your exam registration. If you have changed your name or the booking contains a typo, contact the provider before exam day - you may be refused entry otherwise.
Do not talk to anyone, read questions aloud or leave the camera frame during an online-proctored exam. Other people must not enter the room. Announce intended movement and follow the proctor's instructions.
Breaks are generally not permitted during the exam because the clock keeps running. If you need an accommodation for a medical condition or disability, request it from the provider well in advance - it cannot be arranged on the day.
Scoring: 40 questions, one mark each, pass mark 65% (26 of 40). There is no negative marking, so guess on anything you cannot reason out rather than leaving it blank.
Exam content is confidential. Do not copy, screenshot, record, discuss or share specific questions after the session, whether in study groups, forums or with colleagues.
If your connection drops, the proctor disappears or the platform freezes, do not panic and do not keep clicking: note the time and contact the provider's technical support immediately, since they control whether your session is restarted or rebooked.
Administrative details - exact ID rules, permitted items, late-arrival cut-offs, extra-time eligibility and result timelines - vary by provider and region. Confirm each of these with your provider before exam day rather than assuming.