ICSAN Secretarial Practice exam-day guide
ICSAN Secretarial Practice · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter and a second photo ID
Print the admission/exam slip issued through your ICSAN candidate portal and carry the same government-issued photo ID (national ID, passport, or driver's licence) you used during registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a printed slip is mandatory or a digital copy suffices.
Candidate registration details
Note your registration/membership number and the exact name spelling on your profile. If your ID and registration name differ, raise it with ICSAN before exam day rather than at the venue.
Stationery permitted by the provider
Bring pens, pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener only if the exam is paper-based. Confirm with the provider whether pencil or black/blue ink is required, and whether correction fluid is allowed. For computer-based sittings, confirm whether rough paper and a pen are supplied or must be requested.
Basic, non-programmable wristwatch
Many venues restrict phones, so a simple watch helps you pace the paper. Confirm with the provider whether any watch is allowed, since smartwatches and programmable devices are normally prohibited.
Venue location and route plan
Re-read the venue address on your admission letter, check the travel time in realistic traffic, and identify a backup route. Visit or map the venue in advance if you can; campus buildings can be hard to find on the day.
Arrival time before the stated start
Arrive well before the reporting time on your slip to allow for ID checks, seating, and instructions. Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and the cut-off after which late candidates are refused entry.
Permitted calculator, if the paper allows one
Secretarial practice papers can involve basic computation. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is permitted and what models are banned; if unsure, prepare to work without one.
Clear pouch or bag for valuables
Bring a small clear pouch for your ID, slip, and pen. Confirm with the provider what bags are allowed inside the hall, as many centres require bags to be left outside and accept no liability for loss.
Water and a light snack for after the exam
Keep these outside the hall unless the provider allows water at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted during the sitting.
Leave prohibited items behind
Phones, smart devices, notes, textbooks, and unauthorised materials should stay at home or be handed in as the provider directs. Confirm with the provider the policy on phones, including whether switched-off devices must be surrendered.
Personal arrangements for the day
Plan childcare, transport home, and any medication needs in advance. If you have a health condition or need special access arrangements, confirm with the provider well before the exam, as these are rarely granted on the day.
Rest and revision plan the night before
Prepare clothes, ID, and stationery the night before so the morning is calm. Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics; review summaries and past-paper structures instead.
Plan the day
Download and print your admission letter, verify the venue, reporting time, and session, and resolve any name or ID mismatch with ICSAN. Re-read the syllabus and the exam format so you know the number of sections, question types, and marks per section. Complete a timed practice run under exam conditions, then spend the remaining time on weak areas and on memorising the structure of a good answer: definition, legal or procedural authority, application to the scenario, and conclusion. Confirm with the provider the exact format and any allowed materials, since these can change between sessions.
Consolidate rather than expand. Summarise key topics such as meeting procedures, notices and agendas, minutes, resolutions, statutory registers, share and dividend administration, and the company secretary's compliance duties into one-page revision sheets. Practise short-answer and scenario questions, focusing on precise statutory references and correct terminology. Check your travel and accommodation arrangements and confirm the exam start time from the admission letter, not from memory or secondhand reports.
Pack your ID, admission letter, pens, and any permitted items in one place. Travel to the area near the venue if you live far away. Do a light review of your summary sheets and the most common question types, then stop early. Eat properly, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine, and sleep at your normal time. Check the weather and transport updates, and set two alarms.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress comfortably in layers, and leave earlier than your route plan suggests. Carry only what is permitted and leave phones and study notes behind or surrendered as directed. On arrival, follow signage, complete ID checks, and find your seat. Read the front of the paper and any instructions carefully before the start, note the total time and marks, and ask an invigilator about anything unclear before the clock starts.
Spend the first few minutes scanning the whole paper and allocating time per section in proportion to marks. Answer the questions you know best first to secure marks, then return to harder ones. For scenario questions, identify the issue, state the applicable rule or procedure, apply it to the facts, and give a clear recommendation. Write legibly, number your answers exactly as the paper does, and show workings where marks are awarded for method. Leave time to check that every required question is attempted and that no answer is left half-finished.
Use the last ten minutes to confirm question numbers, page numbers, and that all compulsory sections are completed. Stop writing immediately when instructed. Hand in scripts or submit your computer-based paper as directed, collect your belongings, and leave quietly without discussing questions in the hall. Note anything you found difficult while it is fresh, so your next study cycle targets it.
Rules to check
Bring the identification and admission documents the provider requires, with names matching your registration. If your documents do not match or you are unsure which IDs are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day; candidates without acceptable ID risk being refused entry.
Arrive by the reporting time on your admission letter. Centres commonly set a cut-off after which entry is refused, but the exact rule varies, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming you will be admitted late.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, notes, or unauthorised materials into the hall. Follow the provider's instructions on surrendering devices, and confirm with the provider what is prohibited, since possession alone can lead to misconduct proceedings.
Follow all invigilator instructions and exam regulations. Do not communicate with other candidates, look at others' work, or attempt to remove question papers or answer materials. Misconduct can lead to cancellation of your paper and further sanctions.
Ask permission before leaving your seat for the washroom or any other reason, and expect an escort. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted and whether time is added; many sittings do not extend time for breaks.
Answer only the required number of questions and follow the instructions on the paper. Extra answers beyond the required number may not be marked, and marks are usually awarded only for clearly numbered, legible responses.
Scoring is normally based on the marks allocated on the paper, with no marks deducted for wrong answers in a standard written paper. Confirm with the provider whether negative marking applies to any multiple-choice section, as this affects guessing strategy.
Raise any problem, such as a misprinted paper, faulty equipment, or illness, with an invigilator immediately and follow their direction. Requests for special consideration are usually time-limited, so confirm with the provider how and when to submit them.