AQIF exam-day guide
AQIF · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original (not a photocopy) of the ID you registered with. Your name on the ID must match your registration record. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required - requirements vary and this guide cannot verify AQIF's specific rule.
Appointment confirmation and candidate/registration number
Save a screenshot or printout so you can access it without relying on email or a login during check-in.
Testing account credentials verified in advance
Log in at least 24 hours before the exam to confirm your username and password work and that your recovery email/phone is current. Do not attempt a password reset on exam morning.
Pre-run system or equipment check
If your exam is remotely proctored, complete the provider's system test (browser, webcam, microphone, bandwidth) ahead of time and again on the day. Confirm with the provider which browser and settings are required.
Quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk
Remove papers, phones, smart devices, notes, and wall-mounted material from the camera view. Confirm the provider's rules on room scans and permitted desk items.
Permitted reference materials, if any
AQIF's open-book versus closed-book policy is not something this guide can verify. Confirm the permitted-materials list with the provider before you bring or display anything.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator familiarity
If a calculator is relevant to the exam, confirm which models or on-screen tools are permitted; otherwise plan to use only the in-test tool.
Scratch paper and writing implement
Many proctored deliveries prohibit physical note-taking or require an on-screen notepad. Confirm the policy rather than assuming.
Water and a light snack for any scheduled break
Only if the room rules permit them; keep items out of view unless the proctor allows them.
Backup connectivity and power
Have a charged phone hotspot, charger, and a backup device or phone number ready to reach support if your primary connection drops.
Offline copy of the candidate handbook essentials
Note the time limit, number of questions, question formats, break rules, and the reporting process for technical issues. Confirm the passing standard from the official handbook rather than relying on secondhand sources.
Logistics planned
For a test centre: confirm the address, parking or transit, and arrival time. For remote delivery: confirm the check-in window and start logging in early.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review only your own summary notes and error log. Re-read the official candidate handbook for format, timing, permitted items, and the passing standard; confirm anything unclear with the provider in writing while support is still responsive.
Run the system or equipment check and resolve any problems now. Confirm your appointment date, time, and time zone (a common source of avoidable misses).
Protect sleep. Shift to a normal schedule and do not plan late-night cramming the night before.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Verify login credentials once more and confirm the check-in or arrival time.
Light review only: skim formulas, frameworks, and your recurring mistakes. Then stop. Eat properly, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and dress in layers. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety.
If remote: clear the desk, silence devices, close all other applications, and start the check-in process well before your slot so a room scan or ID check cannot eat into your time. If at a centre: arrive early with your ID in hand.
Read the instructions and do the tutorial or practice item if offered - it does not usually count against your time, but confirm locally.
Do a first pass answering what you know, flagging anything that needs more thought, and never leaving a blank if there is no penalty for guessing (confirm the scoring rule with the provider).
Pace against checkpoints - divide the total time by the question count and check your position at roughly the quarter, half, and three-quarter marks.
Second pass on flagged items: re-read the stem, eliminate clearly wrong options, and commit. Reserve the final few minutes to confirm every item is answered and any review screen is clean.
Do not troubleshoot alone. Note the time, stop, and contact the proctor or support channel the provider specifies for technical failures, so the incident can be documented.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider requires and present it on request. If your ID name does not match your registration, resolve the discrepancy with the provider before exam day, not at check-in.
Keep only permitted items at your workspace. Unauthorized materials, a second screen, a phone within reach, or another person in the room can lead to invalidation regardless of intent - confirm the permitted list in advance.
Do not communicate with anyone except the proctor during the exam, and do not attempt to capture, copy, or reconstruct exam content. Exam content is confidential; sharing recalled questions is typically prohibited and may carry consequences beyond the exam itself.
Break rules and whether the clock runs during a break vary by delivery method. Confirm the policy with the provider and plan your timing accordingly rather than assuming the timer pauses.
Scoring and the passing standard are set by the provider. Do not rely on rumoured cut scores; confirm how the exam is scored, whether guessing is penalized, and when results are released.
Request any accommodations or accessibility adjustments well before exam day and in the manner the provider specifies. Late requests may not be honoured.
If you experience a technical failure, exam irregularity, or a disturbance, report it immediately to the proctor or provider support and keep any reference number. Late claims are harder to substantiate.
Follow all proctor instructions, including identity verification, room scans, and behavioural monitoring. Refusal to comply can be treated as misconduct, so raise any concern through the provider's appeals or complaints process instead.