ph-iata-dangerous-goods-air exam-day guide
ph-iata-dangerous-goods-air · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID the booking was made under; the name must match your registration. Accepted document types and whether a second ID is required vary by test centre and provider - confirm with the provider before exam day. If your ID is expired or your name has changed, resolve it in advance rather than at check-in.
Exam appointment confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your appointment time, test-centre address, and candidate/reference number. You may be asked for the reference number at check-in, and the address helps you plan arrival. Keep it accessible offline in case the venue has poor signal.
Approved calculator (confirm model policy)
Many dangerous goods exams include calculation questions on net quantity, state of charge, or package limits. Ask the provider which calculator models are permitted and whether the venue supplies one. If in doubt, take a basic non-programmable calculator and have it approved at check-in. needs_review
Current IATA DGR edition and relevant supplements
If the exam is open-book, bring the specific edition and any supplements the provider names in the exam regulations. Editions differ year to year, and using the wrong edition can cost you lookups. Confirm with the provider whether printed books, tabs, and handwritten notes are allowed. needs_review
Your own annotated/tabbed regulations if permitted
Tabs, highlights, and margin notes speed up lookups under time pressure. Ask the provider whether annotation is allowed and whether loose inserts are prohibited. If loose pages are banned, keep everything bound inside the book.
Blue/black pens and a pencil
Take two working pens and a pencil with an eraser. Some providers require answers in ink and permit pencil only for working. Confirm any stationery rules with the provider.
Watch (non-smart) or awareness of the clock
Many exam rooms have a visible clock, but not all. A simple analogue or digital non-smart watch helps you pace. Smart watches and phones are almost always prohibited at the desk - confirm with the provider and plan to store them as instructed.
Arrival plan with buffer time
Plan to arrive well before the start time; check-in, ID verification, and seating take time. Check local transport disruptions the day before. The exact arrival window is set by the provider - confirm it and note that late arrivals may be refused entry.
Water and a light snack for before/after
Hydration and a small snack help concentration. Confirm whether drinks are allowed at the desk; many venues allow a clear bottle only. Avoid heavy meals and new caffeine doses right before the exam.
Personal medication and accessibility arrangements
If you need medication, extra time, or a separate room, arrange it with the provider well before exam day and bring any approval letter. Do not assume adjustments can be granted on the day.
Review plan for weak areas
Bring a one-page summary of your weakest topics (for example, lithium battery state-of-charge rules, segregation, or documentation). Use it in the final hours rather than rereading everything. Leave it outside the exam room if notes are not permitted.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: exact venue address, start time, arrival window, ID requirements, and what is allowed at the desk. Re-read the provider's candidate regulations so there are no surprises. Check that your DGR edition matches the one named for the exam.
Do a timed full mock under exam conditions. Mark it, then list the three to five topics that cost you the most marks. Spend the remaining study time on those, not on material you already know.
Practise open-book navigation if the exam permits references: locate key tables and packing instructions quickly, and rehearse finding the correct section for a scenario rather than reading whole chapters. Time each lookup.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, approved calculator, pens, permitted references, water. Check travel times and any planned engineering works. Confirm the venue's opening time and whether parking or lockers are available.
Do a light review only: your one-page weak-topic summary and the exam format. Stop studying early enough to sleep well. Avoid cramming new material the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive with buffer time, and leave phones and smart devices stored as instructed. Re-read your weak-topic summary once, then put it away.
Present your ID and confirmation, confirm where to store belongings, and ask the invigilator any clarifying question about the answer sheet or permitted materials before the clock starts.
Read the instructions and note the total time and number of questions. Do a first pass answering confident questions, flag uncertain ones, then return to them. For calculation questions, write down units and check whether the question asks for net or gross quantity. Leave time to transfer answers and check that every question is attempted if there is no penalty for guessing.
Stop new questions, verify that answers are recorded in the required format, check your candidate details, and confirm flagged questions are resolved or deliberately left.
Rules to check
Bring the ID named in your registration and present it at check-in. If your name, document type, or expiry is uncertain, confirm with the provider before exam day; you may be refused entry without valid ID.
Follow the provider's rules on what may be at your desk. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes are normally prohibited; store them exactly as instructed and keep them off during the exam.
Ask before the exam whether your references may be tabbed or annotated. Rules on loose inserts, handwritten notes, and sticky tabs vary - confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Breaks are usually limited and may not stop the clock. Confirm the provider's policy on leaving the room, and plan hydration so you do not lose time.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and may be criterion-referenced or scaled. Do not rely on a rumoured pass mark; confirm the current scoring policy with the provider.
If you believe a question is defective or the exam conditions are disrupted, note the question number and raise it with the invigilator at the time, then follow the provider's appeal or incident process afterwards.
Do not discuss or share exam content with other candidates. Reproducing questions breaches most providers' candidate agreements and can invalidate your result.
If you feel unwell or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible to ask about rescheduling, transfer, or refund options; these are governed by the provider's terms, so confirm them in advance.