CAA NZ IR Instruments and Navaids exam-day guide
CAA NZ IR Instruments and Navaids · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring a current passport or NZ driver licence. Name must match your exam booking. If you are unsure which forms are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Exam admission/booking confirmation
Have your booking confirmation or candidate number available. The provider may email this; check your spam folder. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Approved calculator
A basic non-programmable calculator is typically permitted for navigation and instrument calculations. Confirm the exact model policy with the provider; programmable or stored-formula calculators are usually prohibited.
Navigation tools (if permitted)
For IR instruments and navaids, a plotter, dividers, and pencil may be useful. Confirm with the provider whether these are allowed or supplied at the test centre. Do not assume they are provided.
Printed charts/plates if instructed
Some CAA NZ theory exams permit or supply reference material. Confirm with the provider exactly what is supplied and what you may bring; do not bring annotated or personal notes unless explicitly allowed.
Water and a light snack
Hydration and a small snack help concentration. Check the provider's rules on food and drink in the test room; some centres restrict items at the desk.
Know the test centre location and arrival time
Confirm the address, parking, and reporting time with the provider at least 24 hours ahead. Arrive early to allow for ID checks and settling in.
Review the exam format and allowed materials
Confirm the number of questions, time limit, pass mark, and whether the exam is computer-based or paper-based. These details are set by the provider; check the current candidate information.
Personal medication and glasses
Bring any necessary medication and your glasses if you use them for reading charts or screens. Notify the invigilator of any medical needs before the test starts.
Leave valuables and unauthorised electronics at home
Phones, smart watches, and notes are normally prohibited in the test room. Confirm the provider's policy on storage and prohibited items.
Rest and travel plan
Plan your route and backup transport. A late arrival may mean you are refused entry; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Needs review: current CAA NZ exam candidate rules
The specific administrative rules for CAA NZ theory exams can change. Verify all items above against the official CAA NZ or provider instructions before test day. This guide is not an official source.
Plan the day
Re-read the exam syllabus for Instruments and Navaids and list weak topics. Do targeted revision of instrument approach procedures, navaid frequencies and identifiers, and instrument meteorological conditions. Avoid starting new material. Confirm your booking, ID, and test centre details with the provider.
Do one timed practice set under exam conditions if available. Review errors and note the reasoning, not just the answer. Check which reference materials are supplied and practise using only those.
Light review only: key formulas, navaid classes, and approach minima definitions. Prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, calculator, and permitted tools. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep.
Stop studying by early evening. Avoid last-minute cramming that increases anxiety. Re-read the provider's test-day instructions one final time.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate. Arrive at the test centre with time to spare. Present your ID and confirmation, store prohibited items as directed, and listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions.
Read each question fully and watch for negatives such as NOT or EXCEPT. Answer easier questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. For calculation questions, estimate the answer before computing to catch errors. Keep an eye on the clock and leave time to review flagged items.
If a question seems to rely on a chart or figure not supplied, do not assume missing information; re-read the stem. If you are unsure, choose the most defensible answer and move on. Report any technical or material problems to the invigilator immediately.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID matching your booking. If you do not have acceptable ID, you may be refused entry; confirm accepted forms with the provider before test day.
Electronic devices, smart watches, notes, and unauthorised reference material are normally prohibited in the test room. Confirm the provider's storage and prohibited-item policy.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Raise your hand if you need assistance.
Breaks are usually limited and may not stop the clock. Confirm the provider's break policy before the test; plan hydration accordingly.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider. Do not rely on rumoured pass marks; check the current candidate information for the Instruments and Navaids exam.
If you believe a question is defective, note it and continue. Report it to the invigilator or provider after the test rather than stopping your exam.
This guide is independent study material and is not affiliated with CAA NZ. Always confirm current exam-day rules with the official provider.