ICAP PRC-1 Fundamentals of Accounting exam-day guide
ICAP PRC-1 Fundamentals of Accounting · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket / exam confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your candidate number, test centre or remote-session link, and scheduled start time. If the delivery format (paper vs computer-based) is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Acceptable photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo ID whose details match your registration exactly (name spelling, date of birth). Expired or photocopied ID is commonly rejected; confirm the accepted ID types with the provider.
Approved calculator
PRC-1 involves computation (double entry, adjustments, ratios). Use a non-programmable calculator with no communication capability. Confirm the provider's approved model list and whether centre-supplied calculators are offered.
Stationery permitted by the provider
Pens, pencils, eraser and a ruler are typically allowed for paper sittings; for computer-based sittings you may receive a booklet or laminated sheet. Confirm what is supplied versus what you must bring.
Nothing on/in your person beyond permitted items
Mobile phones, smart watches, notes and loose paper are normally prohibited in the test room. Plan where to leave them; centres may have no secure storage.
Timing and route plan
Arrive with a buffer before the start; late arrival can mean refused entry. Check journey time, parking or public transport disruptions, and the exact building/room.
Remote-sitting setup (if applicable) - needs_review
If sitting online: test your camera, microphone, browser and internet in advance, use a quiet private room, and check the provider's identity-verification and room-scan rules. Confirm all of this with the provider.
Personal comfort items
Water in a clear container and layers of clothing may or may not be allowed at the desk. Confirm the provider's rules; eat a proper meal beforehand regardless.
One-page formula/revision sheet for the journey
Prepare a condensed sheet (accounting equation, debit/credit rules, depreciation methods, ratio formulas, bank reconciliation steps) for last-minute review only - leave it outside the test room.
Backup plan for problems
Save the provider's contact number and your candidate number in case of travel delay, illness or technical failure. Know their procedure for reporting an issue on the day.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Re-read your own summary notes and error log, focusing on the areas where you repeatedly lose marks: double-entry corrections, accruals and prepayments, depreciation and disposal, inventory valuation, and the preparation of the statement of financial position. Do one full set of mixed practice questions under timed conditions and mark it strictly.
Confirm the test centre address or remote link, the start time and reporting time, and the ID you will present. Print the admission confirmation. Check the provider's rules on calculators, permitted items and what happens if you arrive late - confirm anything you cannot find in writing with the provider.
Do a second timed practice set, but spend more time reviewing the answers than doing them. For every wrong answer, write the correct treatment in one line (for example, 'accrued expense: Dr expense, Cr accruals - increases liability'). Rehearse the layout of the main statements so you can set them out quickly.
Light revision only: formula sheet, debit/credit rules, the accounting equation, and the format of the statement of profit or loss and statement of financial position. Pack your bag - ID, confirmation, calculator, pens, water - and lay it out by the door. Check the journey plan and set two alarms. Avoid heavy study late in the evening; sleep matters more than one extra topic.
Eat a normal meal, arrive at the centre with time to spare, and keep revision to your one-page sheet. Do not attempt new question types. At the desk, read the instructions and check the number of questions, the time allowed and whether there is negative marking before you begin.
Answer the questions you know first and flag the rest. For computational questions, write the workings - even where only the final figure is marked, workings reduce careless errors and can earn method marks. Watch units and rounding.
Return to flagged questions and eliminate options you know are wrong. For 'which is correct' items, check each option against the debit/credit rule rather than relying on recognition. Never leave blanks unless the provider penalises wrong answers - confirm this rule in advance.
Confirm every question has an answer, check that your name/candidate number is correct on the answer sheet or on-screen form, and submit before the deadline. Note the time remaining rather than relying on being told to stop.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration. Name mismatches, photocopies or expired documents are common grounds for refusal; confirm the accepted forms of ID with the provider.
Only permitted items may be taken to the desk. Phones, smart watches, notes and unauthorised calculators should be switched off and stored as directed; possession at the desk can lead to invalidation of your result.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on starting, stopping and leaving the room. Do not open the paper or begin the on-screen test before you are told to start.
Breaks are usually limited and supervised; leaving the room may not stop the clock. Confirm the provider's break policy and whether water or medication is allowed at the desk.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the awarding body. Do not assume negative marking or partial credit - check the instructions on the paper and confirm the marking scheme with the provider.
Any suspected irregularity, technical failure or disturbance should be reported to the invigilator immediately and recorded; report it in writing afterwards if unresolved.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test or discuss question content afterwards in a way that breaches the provider's confidentiality rules.