ICAN CA Foundation exam-day guide
ICAN CA Foundation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed or downloaded exam admission certificate / hall ticket
Carry the admission document exactly as the provider instructs (print vs. digital). If you are unsure whether a printout is mandatory, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID that matches the name on your registration. Photocopies and expired documents are commonly rejected; confirm the accepted ID types with the provider.
Exam-day stationery permitted by the provider
Typically a black or blue ballpoint pen, pencil, eraser, and sharpener. Check whether the exam is paper-based or computer-based and whether stationery is supplied or must be brought.
Simple calculator (if permitted)
CA Foundation quantitative papers often allow a basic, non-programmable calculator. Confirm the exact permitted model/specification with the provider; programmable or scientific models may be barred.
Transparent water bottle and small snack
Hydration and a light snack help during a long sitting. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at your desk.
Printed exam-day instructions and centre address
Re-read the provider's instructions the night before and note reporting time, gate-closing time, and the exact centre location with a backup route.
Layered clothing
Exam halls are often heavily air-conditioned. Wear layers you can remove without disturbing others.
Analog or simple watch
Helps you pace yourself if the hall clock is not visible. Smartwatches and devices with communication features are almost always prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Physical copies of key formulas and summaries
Bring concise revision sheets for last-minute review outside the hall. Leave them outside the exam room.
Emergency contact and transport backup plan
Save the centre's contact number and arrange a backup route in case of delays. Confirm reporting time and late-entry policy with the provider.
Rest and sleep plan
Avoid all-night cramming. A rested mind performs better on analytical and calculation-heavy questions.
Confirm exam mode and permitted aids
Verify whether the sitting is paper-based or computer-based, the duration, and what aids are allowed. Confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new topics to consolidating. Review formula sheets, summary notes, and past mistakes. Do one timed full-length mock under exam conditions and review it the same day. Confirm centre address, reporting time, and travel plan. Pack your bag early.
Light revision only: skim key formulas and one-page summaries. Avoid new material and avoid discussing preparation with anxious peers. Lay out clothes, ID, admission document, stationery, and calculator. Set two alarms, eat a normal meal, and sleep at your usual time.
Eat a proper breakfast, leave with buffer time, and arrive at the centre well before the reporting time. Do a brief formula skim outside the hall, not deep problem-solving. Keep phone and smart devices switched off and stored away. Follow the invigilator's instructions for seating and materials.
Read the instructions and check the paper structure and marks distribution. Fill in identification details carefully. Scan the whole paper and plan time per section before starting.
Answer easier and higher-confidence questions first, then return to harder ones. For calculations, show working clearly where required. Watch the clock at fixed intervals, keep the answer sheet or response format tidy, and reserve the last few minutes to check for unanswered questions and numbering errors.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID and admission document; entry is usually refused without them. Confirm the exact accepted documents with the provider.
Follow the provider's rules on calculators, watches, phones, and notes. Electronic communication devices are generally prohibited inside the hall; confirm with the provider.
Arrive before the reporting time. Late entry, early exit, and break policies vary; confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Invigilator instructions take precedence over anything you have read elsewhere.
Answer in the format and medium the provider specifies, and ensure identification details are filled correctly before time is called.
Marks and negative-marking rules vary by paper and session; confirm the current scheme with the provider before the exam.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency, inform the invigilator immediately rather than leaving unannounced.