MRA Customs Broker exam-day guide
MRA Customs Broker · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original photo identification required by your testing provider (typically a passport or national ID). Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a photocopy or expired document is refused; do not assume a student card or workplace badge will work.
Admission or appointment confirmation
Carry the email or letter showing your exam appointment, candidate number, and test centre address. Save a screenshot offline in case the venue has no signal. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Name-matching check
Verify that the name on your registration exactly matches your ID, including middle names and diacritics. Name mismatches are a common cause of refused admission; if they differ, contact the provider before test day to correct the record.
Permitted reference materials
Some customs broker exams allow a tariff schedule, legislation extracts, or a calculator. Confirm with the provider exactly which editions and formats are permitted and whether annotations or sticky tabs are allowed. If in doubt, bring the unmarked official edition.
Calculator policy
Duty, tax, and currency conversion questions often need arithmetic. Confirm with the provider whether a basic calculator is permitted, whether it must be non-programmable, and whether the test platform supplies an on-screen calculator. Do not bring a programmable or graphing model unless explicitly allowed.
Writing implements and scratch paper
Bring two or three pens or pencils and an eraser if the test is paper-based. For computer-based delivery, confirm with the provider whether scratch paper and a pen are supplied at the desk or must be requested; many centres prohibit bringing your own paper.
Timepiece and personal items plan
Many test centres ban watches, phones, and bags from the testing room. Confirm with the provider where personal belongings are stored and whether a wall clock is visible. Plan to travel light and leave valuables at home.
Logistics: route, arrival time, and contact number
Reconfirm the venue address, arrival window, and check-in cut-off. Arrive earlier than the stated minimum to absorb transport delays. Save the test centre's phone number so you can call if you are delayed. Confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive after the cut-off.
Rest and health basics
Sleep, eat a normal breakfast, and bring water if the venue permits it. Confirm with the provider whether drinks and snacks are allowed at the desk or only during scheduled breaks. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety.
Study aids for the waiting period
Bring condensed notes on classification rules, valuation methods, origin rules, and duty calculation formulas to review in the waiting area. Keep them in your bag during the test; confirm with the provider whether any review material is allowed in the waiting room.
Exam-format familiarity
Review the confirmed number of questions, time limit, and question style (multiple choice, case-based, calculation). Confirm with the provider whether questions are weighted equally and whether there is negative marking; this changes your guessing strategy.
Backup plan for technology failure
If the exam is computer-based or remote-proctored, test your equipment and connection in advance and know the provider's support number. Confirm with the provider the policy on technical interruptions and whether lost time is restored.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics and switch to consolidation. Re-read your summary sheets on tariff classification, customs valuation, origin, duty and tax calculation, and procedure. Do one timed practice set under exam conditions to calibrate your pace, then review only the errors. Confirm the venue address, arrival time, and ID requirements with the provider. Prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, permitted materials, and pens so nothing is left to the last morning.
Do a second, shorter timed drill focusing on your weakest area, such as calculation accuracy or classification logic. Rehearse the mechanics: how you will read a question stem, mark key facts, and decide when to skip and return. Check the calculator policy and, if permitted, practise with the exact model you will bring. Avoid comparing notes with other candidates, which tends to increase anxiety.
Light review only: skim your one-page formula and rule summaries, then stop. Lay out clothes, ID, confirmation, and permitted materials by the door. Check transport times and any planned disruptions. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and set two alarms. Confirm with the provider the check-in cut-off and what to do if you are delayed. Sleep at your usual time rather than forcing an early night.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue earlier than the stated minimum. Use the waiting time for a brief skim of your summary sheet, not for new material. Follow check-in instructions exactly, keep your phone off and stored as directed, and use the restroom before entering the room. Once seated, read the instructions and confirm the question count and time remaining.
Do a first pass answering questions you know confidently, flagging anything that needs calculation or careful reading. Watch the clock and allocate time per question based on the confirmed count. For calculation questions, write the formula before substituting numbers and check units and rounding. For classification questions, identify the heading, then the subheading, and check chapter notes. Leave time at the end to revisit flagged items and ensure no question is blank unless negative marking makes guessing risky.
In the last few minutes, confirm every question has an answer if guessing is not penalised, and check that your name and candidate details are correct on any answer sheet or on-screen form. After the exam, note which topics felt weak while the memory is fresh; this helps if you need to retake. Confirm with the provider the result timeline and the procedure for appeals or retakes.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID specified by the provider and present it at check-in. The name must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether expired ID is refused.
Arrive within the provider's stated check-in window. Candidates who arrive after the cut-off may be refused admission or given reduced time. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off and the policy on late arrival.
Keep phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices switched off and stored as directed. Unauthorised devices at the desk are commonly treated as misconduct. Confirm with the provider the permitted-device list.
Use only the reference materials, calculator, and stationery the provider permits. Do not bring annotated or unauthorised editions of legislation or tariff schedules. Confirm with the provider whether tabs, highlights, or loose notes are allowed.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and whether you are supervised or searched on re-entry.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not copy, photograph, or share exam content afterwards. Most providers treat content sharing as a breach of conduct that can void your result.
Understand the scoring rules before you start: confirm with the provider whether questions are equally weighted, whether there is negative marking, and what the pass mark is. This determines whether you should guess on unknown items.
If you believe there is a technical failure, equipment problem, or disturbance, raise it with the invigilator immediately and ask for it to be recorded. Confirm with the provider the procedure for reporting incidents and requesting remediation after the test.