Prepare for the Intern Written Exam

Take your exam with confidence

This page will help you prepare for exam day! Make sure you've prepared your identification documents (ID), what to bring and how to manage technical interruptions.

Haven't registered yet? Learn more about registering for the IWE.

Which testing environment have you chosen?

Your exam day will look different depending on whether you are sitting your exam in test centre or online via OnVUE.

Before exam day

Prepare your identification documents

Make sure your personal identification meets requirements.

You'll need to show 2 forms of identification (ID). At least one must be an acceptable form of primary ID from the list below.

Types of acceptable ID

Your IDs must:

  • be valid (not expired)
  • be original, not a photocopy or digital ID
  • be in English or be NAATI translated.
  • match the name you used to register for your exam.

They must meet these requirements in order to receive your results:

ID Type

Requirements

Primary ID

This ID document must be issued by your government and contain:

  • your full name
  • your date of birth (DOB)
  • a recognisable photograph
  • your signature.

Types of acceptable primary ID include:

  • international passport
  • government-issued national identity card (with a photo)
  • government-issued citizenship card (with a photo)
  • Australian or New Zealand driver’s licence.

Secondary ID

This ID document must either contain:

  • your name and signature, OR
  • your name and a recognisable photo.

Types of acceptable secondary ID include:

  • debit (ATM) card
  • credit card

If you do not have an acceptable ID

If you do not have an acceptable primary ID from the country that you're sitting the exam in, use an international travel passport from your country of citizenship.

If you have an issue with any of your ID documents, email us at least 3 business days before the exam to request a pre-approval. For your own security, never send copies or images of your ID documents via email. Instead, provide in writing:

  1. all names displayed on your ID
  2. the type of ID (e.g. driver's licence, passport)

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Check what to bring

The Intern Written Exam is 'open-book'. This means you can bring any printed or hand-written reference materials.

You can bring...

You cannot bring...
  • a wristwatch
  • a mobile phone, tablet or any other electronic device
  • pens or pencils
  • blank sheets of paper or notebooks.

*Your calculator can be scientific or standard.

  • It cannot have internet.
  • It cannot be capable of text storage.
  • It cannot have camera or video recording.

At a Test centre Pearson VUE will provide you with:

  • a whiteboard notebook
  • an erasable marker pen.

These are standard test centre items, a paper and pen cannot be used during your exam to ensure questions and answers are not recorded or shared.

You will have access to the following online tools during your exam:

  • calculator (scientific and standard)
  • scratch pad (note taking)
  • highlighter
  • strikethrough
  • a whiteboard tool.

See helpful resources for test-takers // Pearson VUE.

Study using our study guide

The exam consists of 75 questions delivered over a 2-hour session.

  • 67 questions are scored,
  • 8 are unscored (pilot) questions.

Our study pack covers the IWE exam format, scoring, question content, content areas and provides sample papers to practise with.

Go to Study Pack.

On exam day

  • Be well-rested and eat a meal or snack.
  • Check your ID - you must have the correct ID to receive your results.
  • Check your confirmation or reminder email regarding arrival time.
  • Prepare your reference books or hand-written notes.
  • Better to arrive too early than too late. Arrive at least 45 min prior to the exam. If you arrive after the scheduled exam time, you will not be able to start your exam.

What to expect in a Pearson VUE test centre

Technical interruptions

Technical interruptions can occur.

Your Invigilator will attempt to resolve technical issues in real time. If an issue cannot be resolved, the Invigilator will file a case on your behalf. This leads to one of two outcomes, depending on when the issue occurred.

  • Before the exam started: We may move you to another desk or reschedule your exam appointment.
  • At any point after the exam has started: We will reschedule your exam.

Your keystrokes are saved every three seconds to avoid data loss.

Reschedules are actioned within 24 hours, pending availability.

Before exam day

Prepare your identification documents

You'll need to show 1 form of primary identification (ID) from the list below.

Types of acceptable ID

Your ID must:

  • be valid (not expired)
  • be original, not a photocopy or digital ID
  • be in English or be NAATI translated
  • match the name you used to register for your exam.

They must meet these requirements in order to receive your results:

ID type

Requirements

Primary ID

This ID document must be issued by your government and contain:

  • your full name
  • your date of birth
  • a recognisable photograph
  • your signature.

Types of acceptable primary ID include:

  • international passport
  • government-issued national identity card (with a photo)
  • government-issued citizenship card (with a photo)
  • Australian or New Zealand driver’s licence.

IDs that we cannot accept for online proctored exams:

  • Renewal forms with expired ID’s
  • Government-issued name change documents with Government ID
  • Photocopy or digital ID

If you do not have an acceptable ID

If you do not have an acceptable primary ID from the country that you're sitting the exam in, use an international travel passport from your country of citizenship.

If you have an issue with any of your ID documents, email us at least 3 business days before the exam to request a pre-approval. For your own security, never send copies or images of your ID documents via email. Instead, provide in writing:

  1. all names displayed on your ID
  2. the type of ID (e.g. driver's licence, passport)

Familiarise yourself with the OnVUE system

Run through the system so you know what to expect.

  • Review OnVUE's system requirements.
  • Run through the entire system test.
  • Complete the latest updates on your device.
  • Familiarise yourself with the online whiteboard and/or scratchpad tool.
  • Read reminder emails regarding misconduct.

Check what to bring

The Intern Written Exam is 'open-book'. This means you can bring any printed or hand-written reference materials.

Bring with you...

Do not bring with you...
  • ID documents
  • Mobile phone
  • Calculator*
  • A glass of water
  • Reference books - hard copy only. No electronic devices are permitted for references.
  • Any item on the pre-approved 'Comfort Aid' list.
  • a wristwatch
  • pens or pencils
  • stylus/stencil pens.
  • You cannot have blank sheets of paper or notebooks at your desk during the exam.

*Your calculator can be scientific or standard.

  • It cannot have internet.
  • It cannot be capable of text storage.

It cannot have camera or video recording.

Pearson VUE will provide:

Study using our study pack

The exam consists of 75 questions delivered over a 2-hour session.

  • 67 questions are scored,
  • 8 are unscored (pilot) questions.

Our study pack covers the IWE exam format, scoring, question content, content areas and provides sample papers to practise with.

Go to Study Pack.

On exam day

  • Be well-rested and eat a meal or snack.
  • Better to check-in too early than too late. Check-in 30 min prior to the exam. If you arrive after the scheduled exam time, you will not be able to start your exam.
  • Ensure your internet is connected to a stable Wi-fi connection.
  • Have your photo ID ready with you to use.
  • Have all your reference books with you before you start and clear your desk of anything else. You cannot make notes or use any pens/pencils.
  • Allow notifications from the OnVUE application before starting the exam.

Check-in

Refer to your reminder email regarding check-in information.

The OnVUE app will prompt you to take photos of the following with your desktop camera or smartphone:

    • Headshot
    • Primary ID
    • Testing environment

The Proctor will ask you to scan your room using your webcam. They will request to inspect any materials near your workstation.

During the exam

Exam conditions will begin during the check-in process. You will be recorded.

We take steps to ensure that every testing experience is positive for you, but we still stop your exam if the rules aren't followed.

Make sure you read the exam rules in your reminder email. If you disobey the rules, you will not be able to continue or reschedule your exam. You will not be eligible for a refund.

Technical interruptions

If you experience any technical interruptions, you should immediately raise your concern to your online proctor. OnVUE exams have a higher chance of technical interruptions than Test centre exams.

Your proctor will attempt to resolve technical issues in real time. If an issue cannot be resolved, the proctor will file a case on your behalf. This leads to one of two outcomes, depending on when the issue occurred.

  • Before the exam started:If you experience issues during the check-in stage, you will be presented with the option to reschedule your exam, this service is available for 2 hours from your original appointment time.
  • During your exam: If technical issues pursue, we will create a case and look into rescheduling your exam.

Reschedules are actioned within 24 hours, this is pending availability.

Guide to taking your exam online

For even more in-depth information, download Pearson VUE's helpful guide to taking your exam online (PDF)

Go back to IWE exam information.

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