The chartered membership exam is seven-hours long and open-book, so deciding what's in your bag on the day has a genuine effect on how smoothly that goes. This is a short, practical checklist focused on stationery and drawing equipment, plus a couple of rules worth knowing before you pack.
At a high level
- Your exam folder, including any reference information, span tables etc.
- Selection of stationary (see below for recommendations)
- Your own packed lunch
- Minimum 1 litre bottle of water
- Our IStructE exam guide pack (coming soon)
Stationary Recommendations
- Multiple pens — Bring at least three or four pens of your choosing, either black or blue ink. Generally ballpoint (biro) pens are okay, however the author also recommends Frixion pens (erasable pens) as a good alternative.
The author also recommends Frixion pens in different colours (black, blue, and red). These are useful for load path diagrams and other key bits of information, for example, representing tension and compression. - Sharpened Pencils, or a good mechanical pencil — These are for your sketches and GA drawings. A mechanical pencil (0.5mm or 0.7mm) avoids the need to stop and sharpen. However, multiple sharpened Staedtler HB pencils are also just as good!
- Eraser — A soft eraser that won't tear the paper or A3 sheets.
- Highlighter(s) — For annotating the question and any other key information on the exam
- Ruler or straight edge — A short ruler for your GA or section sketches in Section 1 of the exam would be helpful to keep your drawings nice and neat.
- Scale rule — essential for the GA drawings and sections where you're working to a certain scale (1:10, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, etc.).
- Calculator(s) — We suggest to bring TWO standard non-programmable scientific calculator. One is your main, and the other is a backup. Check current exam rules on permitted calculator types before the day, since this can be tightly specified.
What NOT to bring
- No pre-prepared material.
Candidates are not permitted to bring in previously prepared calculations, notes, sketches, diagrams, or computer output for inclusion in the answer — anything submitted like this is disregarded by the examiners. Your folder of references is fine; pre-written answer content is not. - No smart or connected devices.
Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartwatches, and cameras are not permitted in the exam room. Bringing one typically means it's switched off and held by the invigilator for the full session, including lunch — so it's simpler to just leave it at home or in a bag outside the room.
A few practical tips
- Keep it light. Even though the tables provide ample space, everything should be within easy reach. You will also have VERY limited time to look at any reference material or books, so don't bring a full suitcase of books as other candidates have done in the past!
- Pack the night before, to ensure peace of mind! Prepare and review again your pre-exam checklist to make sure you are not missing anything.