BORAQS Architect Exam exam-day guide
BORAQS Architect Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID (passport, national ID card, or driver's licence) with a signature and photo. The name must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a photocopy is permitted.
Admission or confirmation letter
Print or save the exam confirmation showing your candidate number, test centre address, and reporting time. Some centres require a printed copy; confirm with the provider.
Exam regulations and candidate handbook
Read the current version before exam day, especially sections on permitted items, calculator rules, and misconduct. Rules can change between sittings; verify you have the latest edition.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Check the provider's list of permitted models and whether calculators are supplied or must be brought. If in doubt, confirm with the provider whether a basic non-programmable calculator is allowed.
Analog watch (no smart features)
Many exam rooms have no visible clock. A simple analog or non-smart digital watch helps you pace sections. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk; confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle and light snack
Hydration and a quick snack for scheduled breaks help concentration. Labels may need to be removed and snacks kept in a designated area; confirm with the provider what is allowed in the room.
Layer clothing and comfortable shoes
Exam halls can be cold or warm. Dress in layers that can be removed without disrupting others. Avoid clothing with large logos or slogans that may breach conduct rules.
Route and backup transport plan
Rehearse the journey to the test centre at the same time of day, note parking or public transport options, and plan a backup. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Rest and sleep plan for the final week
Protect sleep in the last week and avoid all-night cramming. Fatigue is a bigger risk than one missed revision topic. Keep the final 24 hours light and predictable.
Mental checklist of section pacing
Write down your target time per section and per question, and rehearse it in a timed mock. Decide in advance how you will handle a question that stalls you.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's candidate services number in case of illness or transport failure. Confirm with the provider what evidence is required for a deferred or rescheduled sitting.
Needs_review: any personal medication or medical accommodation
If you need medication, a medical device, or approved extra time, confirm with the provider in advance what documentation and arrangements are required. Do not assume accommodations carry over between sittings.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Spend the time on a timed mock or two, reviewing your error log, and reciting key regulatory and professional-practice principles aloud. Confirm your test centre address, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Prepare your bag and documents so nothing is left to the last morning.
Do a light review of the highest-yield topics: contract administration, statutory approvals, professional conduct, and drawing/documentation standards. Check the provider's current exam regulations for permitted items and calculator rules. Avoid comparing notes with other candidates on social media, which can raise anxiety and spread inaccurate claims.
Do a final short review of formulas, definitions, and your pacing plan. Lay out ID, confirmation letter, calculator, watch, water, and layers. Set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not attempt a full mock this late.
Eat a proper breakfast, check your documents one last time, and leave with a buffer for delays. Arrive at the centre early and follow staff instructions. Avoid last-minute cramming in the waiting area; instead, breathe steadily and recall your pacing plan.
Read the instructions and note the section timings. Answer easier questions first if the format allows, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Watch the clock at the halfway point of each section. If you feel stuck, move on and come back. Use scheduled breaks to stand, hydrate, and reset; confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh, in case you need to resit. Do not attempt to reconstruct or share exam content, which may breach confidentiality rules. Confirm with the provider the expected results date and the appeals or resit process.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID specified by the provider; the name must match your registration. If your ID is expired or your name has changed, confirm with the provider before exam day what alternative evidence is accepted.
Arrive at the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Late arrival may result in refused entry or reduced time; confirm with the provider the exact cut-off and whether exceptional circumstances are considered.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Electronic devices, smartwatches, notes, and unauthorised materials must be switched off and stored as directed. Possession of prohibited items at the desk may be treated as misconduct.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share or discuss exam content afterwards. Exam materials are confidential; confirm with the provider the scope of any confidentiality agreement you signed.
Breaks are usually only at scheduled times, and unscheduled breaks may not be permitted or may not stop the clock. Confirm with the provider the break policy and whether you may leave the room for medical reasons.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and may vary by sitting. Do not rely on rumoured pass marks; confirm with the provider how results are reported and what the appeals or resit process is.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as soon as possible and ask about deferral, refund, or rescheduling. Do not assume a missed sitting is automatically transferable; confirm the provider's policy and evidence requirements.
Declare any conflict of interest or prior access to exam material to the provider before sitting. Attempting to gain unfair advantage is misconduct and may lead to disqualification.