CITN Test of Professional Competence (TPC) exam-day guide
CITN Test of Professional Competence (TPC) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID in the name used on your booking. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; do not rely on a photocopy or a digital copy.
Booking confirmation and candidate number
Print or download the confirmation email showing your test time, venue or online link, and candidate/reference number. Check the spelling of your name and the session details now so any correction can be made before test day.
Venue logistics confirmed
Confirm the exact address, building entrance, and arrival time with the provider. If the test is remote, confirm the platform, browser requirements, and any identity-verification steps in advance.
Permitted materials list checked
Ask the provider what is allowed: calculator model, formula sheet, statute book, notes, or none. Do not assume the rules from another exam apply. Mark any item you cannot confirm as needs_review and clarify before the final 24 hours.
Calculator and spare batteries (if permitted)
Confirm the approved calculator type and whether spares or a backup are allowed. Test it the night before; a calculator that fails on the day wastes time you cannot recover.
Stationery and clear container
Pens, pencils, eraser, and a clear pencil case or bag if the venue requires it. Confirm whether the provider supplies materials or expects you to bring your own.
Watch (non-smart)
Many venues have no visible clock, and phones are usually banned at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether a plain analogue watch is permitted.
Water and a snack for breaks
Bring water in a clear bottle and a snack if breaks are allowed. Confirm the venue's rules on food and drink at the desk and whether breaks are supervised.
Travel plan with a buffer
Plan to arrive well before the start time; late arrival may mean refused entry. Check transport disruptions the night before and identify a backup route.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number and your venue's number in your phone and on paper in case of delay, illness, or a technical failure on a remote test.
Rest and normal routine
Protect sleep in the final nights and avoid last-minute cramming of new topics. A steady routine outperforms an all-night review.
Medical or access arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm in writing with the provider that they are approved and will be in place. Do not assume a verbal request was recorded.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Rework your weakest two or three topics using your own summaries and practice questions, and write a one-page sheet of formulas, definitions, and method steps you will review on the morning.
Re-read the provider's candidate instructions: permitted materials, ID requirements, arrival time, and the rules on breaks and misconduct. Send any unanswered question to the provider now, not on the day.
Do one timed practice set under exam conditions to rehearse pacing. Note where you lost time and decide your per-question time budget and when to move on.
Confirm the venue or remote-test link, travel route, and start time. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, calculator, stationery, and any approved materials, and leave it by the door.
Review only your one-page sheet and the mark allocation or question structure. Do not start a new topic or attempt a full mock; it raises anxiety without adding knowledge.
Eat normally, avoid heavy alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Set two alarms and arrange your transport for a comfortable margin.
Eat a normal breakfast, take your ID and packed bag, and leave with buffer time. Skim your one-page sheet only, without trying to memorise anything new.
Arrive early, follow sign-in and ID checks, and locate the toilets and your seat. Switch off and stow your phone and any smart device as instructed.
Read the instructions, check the number of questions or tasks and the time allowed, and note the mark allocation. Write down your time checkpoints so you know when to move on.
Answer the questions you know first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. For scenario or calculation items, show your working and state assumptions clearly where the format allows.
Reserve the last portion of time to check that every question has an answer, that units and labels are correct, and that flagged items are resolved. Submit only after confirming the submission screen.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID in the name on your booking and present it when asked. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted; without valid ID you may be refused entry and lose your fee.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials exactly. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes are usually banned at the desk; confirm where to stow them and what happens if one is found.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not copy, photograph, or share test content. Confirm the provider's misconduct policy and the consequences before the day.
Confirm the break policy with the provider: whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and whether you are supervised. Do not leave the room without permission.
Confirm how the test is scored and what counts as a pass, including whether negative marking applies and whether all sections must be passed. Do not assume a scoring rule from another exam.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible and ask about deferral, withdrawal, and refund rules; these are set by the provider and are time-limited.
If equipment fails on a remote test, stop and contact the provider immediately using the instructions given; do not attempt to fix the platform yourself or continue unmonitored.
Raise any problem during the test with the invigilator or support line at the time, and ask how to record it. Complaints made after the test may have strict deadlines set by the provider.