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) and you know what to bring.

Haven't registered yet? Learn more about registering for the Intern Written exam.

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 (select txt and highlight)
  • strikethrough (select txt and strikethrough)
  • exam timer.

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

Study using our exam 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 exam 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. Blank pages are not permitted.
  • 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.
  • You may be asked to sit your exam ahead of your scheduled time after you have completed the check in process.

All items that are not permitted into the exam room will be placed into a locker. Ensure to turn your phone off, and check no alarms are set. You will be required to show that your phone is switched off upon arrival.

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.

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