ICAN CAP-III exam-day guide
ICAN CAP-III · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your exam registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; do not rely on a photocopy or digital copy.
Exam admission/confirmation document
Print or save the confirmation email or admission letter showing your candidate number, test centre, and session time. Some centres ask for it at check-in; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted for CAP-III and whether the test platform supplies an on-screen calculator. If a physical calculator is allowed, bring a model you have used in practice and check that its batteries are fresh.
Writing materials
Bring two or three pens or pencils and an eraser if the centre does not supply them. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper is provided and whether you may bring your own; unauthorised paper is often confiscated.
Exam-day logistics plan
Write down the exact address, room number, arrival time, and a backup transport route. Aim to arrive at least 30–45 minutes before the start, but confirm the provider's recommended arrival window.
Provider contact details
Save the test centre phone number and the provider's candidate services contact in your phone. You will need them if transport fails or if there is a discrepancy at check-in.
Personal items plan
Decide in advance where you will store your phone, watch, bag, and notes. Most centres require these to be left outside the testing room; confirm with the provider whether lockers are available or whether you should travel light.
Water and a light snack
Bring water and a snack for before the exam or an authorised break. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at your desk; many centres prohibit them in the testing room.
Medical or access arrangements confirmation
If you have approved extra time, a separate room, or other access arrangements, bring the approval letter. Confirm with the provider that the centre has received the arrangements; do not assume they are automatic.
Review of exam format and instructions
Re-read the provider's exam instructions, including the number of questions, time allowed, and how to navigate the platform. Confirm with the provider whether there is a tutorial or practice test available before exam day.
Sleep and travel buffer
Plan a full night's sleep and avoid scheduling anything tight after the exam. Build at least 30 minutes of buffer into your journey; this is a personal planning item, not a provider rule.
Needs review: exact permitted-items list
The provider's list of permitted and prohibited items can change. Confirm with the provider shortly before exam day whether items such as a wristwatch, earplugs, or a small clear pouch are allowed. Mark this item needs_review until confirmed.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Re-read your own summary notes and formula sheet, and do one timed mixed-topic set under exam conditions. Review the provider's exam instructions and confirm the test centre address, start time, and ID requirements. Prepare your bag with the checklist items and lay out your ID and confirmation document. Protect your sleep schedule: aim for normal bedtimes rather than late-night cramming.
Do a light review only: skim key definitions, audit assertions, and the areas you have marked as weak. Do not attempt full mock exams. Check transport timings and the weather forecast, charge your phone, and confirm your alarm. Pack your bag by the door. Eat a normal meal and avoid alcohol. Confirm with the provider if you have not received any final instructions or if your access arrangements are unconfirmed.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Leave with more time than you think you need; aim to arrive at the centre at least 30–45 minutes early, but follow the provider's stated arrival window. At check-in, present your ID and confirmation document, follow staff instructions for storing personal items, and use the washroom before entering the testing room. If you feel anxious, do a short breathing exercise rather than reviewing notes in the corridor.
Read the instructions on the first screen carefully and note the time allowed. Do a quick first pass: answer the questions you know, flag uncertain ones, and skip calculations that will take too long. For scenario questions, identify what is being asked, the relevant standard or principle, and the best answer among the options. Watch the clock and keep a rough time budget per question. Use any authorised break to stand, hydrate, and reset; confirm with the provider how breaks affect your clock. Before submitting, review flagged questions and check that every question has an answer if the platform requires one.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the exact name used on your registration. If your ID is expired, damaged, or the name differs, contact the provider before exam day; do not assume you will be admitted.
Follow the test centre's rules on personal items. Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are normally stored outside the testing room, and possession of unauthorised materials during the exam can lead to invalidation. Confirm with the provider what is permitted.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Talking, passing materials, or attempting to view another candidate's screen is misconduct and may result in removal or score cancellation.
Use only the calculator and materials approved by the provider. If you are unsure whether a device or item is allowed, leave it at home or ask the invigilator before the exam starts; do not wait until you are seated.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and follow the invigilator's instructions. Confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and whether you will be escorted or subject to security checks on return.
If you experience a technical problem, illness, or other disruption during the exam, notify the invigilator immediately and ask for the incident to be recorded. Follow the provider's procedure for reporting irregularities; do not wait until after the exam to raise it.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider. Do not rely on rumoured pass marks or question counts; confirm the current scoring policy, result timeline, and any resit rules with the provider.
Attempt only your own exam. Impersonation, using another candidate's credentials, or sharing exam content afterwards is prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action. Confirm with the provider whether discussing exam content is restricted.