NEBOSH IGC exam-day guide
NEBOSH IGC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original, valid photo ID in the name you registered with (typically passport or driving licence). Confirm with the provider which ID types they accept and whether a copy is permitted; do not rely on a digital image on your phone.
Exam appointment confirmation
Print or download the booking confirmation showing date, time, venue or online platform, and your candidate number if issued. Check the start time in local time and note any arrival window stated by the provider.
Venue details and travel plan
Confirm the exact address, building entrance, and parking or public transport options. For remote sittings, confirm the platform, link, and system requirements with the provider in advance.
Permitted stationery
Bring several black or blue pens and a pencil. Check with the provider whether notes, textbooks, or a calculator are allowed; open-book arrangements vary, so do not assume.
Clear water in a transparent bottle
Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk and whether the bottle must be placed on the floor.
Watch or silent timekeeping
Bring a simple watch if permitted so you can pace yourself. Phones must normally be switched off and stored away, so do not rely on them for timing.
Personal medication and access arrangements
If you need medication, extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm approval with the provider well before the exam and bring any supporting documentation they require.
Knowledge of the paper structure
Confirm with the provider the number of questions, the marks per question, and the total time allowed for your specific paper. Practise allocating time per mark so you finish within the limit.
Scenario-based practice completed
Work through practice questions that ask you to apply risk assessment and control principles to a workplace scenario, and rehearse writing concise answers with clear hazard, consequence, and control points.
Command words understood
Revise what verbs such as identify, outline, describe, and explain require in terms of depth. Match your answer length and detail to the command word and the marks available.
Arrival time confirmed
Confirm with the provider how early you should arrive and what happens if you are late. Aim to arrive with time to spare, allowing for transport delays and security checks.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number in case of travel disruption or technical problems. Confirm with the provider how to report an issue before or during the exam.
Plan the day
Re-read your summary notes on core topics such as hazard identification, risk assessment, hierarchy of control, incident investigation, and relevant health and safety legislation. Focus on weak areas rather than starting new material. Complete one or two timed practice papers under exam conditions and review where you lost marks. Confirm venue, start time, ID requirements, and any permitted materials with the provider.
Practise applying the hierarchy of control to common workplace hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, work at height, noise, hazardous substances, electricity, and machinery. Write short model answers using the command words and check they contain enough distinct points for the marks. Review how to structure a risk assessment answer: hazard, who is harmed, likelihood and severity, existing controls, further controls, and review.
Do a final light review of key definitions and legal duties, then stop studying early. Prepare your bag: ID, confirmation, pens, water, and any approved items. Check your travel route and journey time, set two alarms, eat a normal meal, and aim for a full night's sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming that increases anxiety.
Eat breakfast and arrive at the venue or log in early as instructed. Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as directed. Read all instructions on the paper before starting and note the total time and number of questions. Take a few slow breaths to settle before you begin.
Read the whole paper or all questions before writing. Plan your time per question based on marks, allowing a few minutes at the end to review. Start with questions you can answer confidently to build momentum, but do not spend too long on any one question.
Answer the question asked using the command word: identify means list briefly, outline means give a short summary, describe means give detail, and explain means give reasons. Write in short, numbered points where possible so each mark-earning idea is clear. Keep an eye on the clock and move on when the time allocation for a question is used up.
Check that you have attempted every question and that your candidate details are correct. Use any remaining time to add missed points to unfinished answers rather than rewriting completed ones. Hand in or submit as instructed and keep your confirmation until results are released.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID in the name used for registration and present it when asked. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and what happens if you cannot produce acceptable ID.
Follow all instructions from invigilators or the remote proctor, including where to place bags, phones, and coats. Unauthorised materials at the desk may lead to disqualification.
Switch off phones and smart devices and store them as directed. Do not use unauthorised notes, textbooks, or electronic aids unless the provider has confirmed they are permitted for your paper.
Confirm with the provider in advance whether supervised breaks are allowed and how they are managed, as rules differ between venues and remote sittings. Leave the room only with permission.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam or attempt to copy or share answers. Any suspected malpractice should be reported to the invigilator or provider.
Confirm with the provider how marks are awarded and what the pass standard is for your qualification. Answers are marked on the number of valid, relevant points, so aim for distinct points rather than long prose.
If you feel unwell or face a technical failure during a remote exam, stop and notify the invigilator or provider immediately and follow their instructions. Confirm with the provider how such incidents are recorded and handled.
Check the provider's policy on results, appeals, and resits before exam day so you know the process if you need it.