Pre-Exam Preparation Strategies
Your success on the IGP exam begins long before you sit down at the testing computer. The night before and morning of your exam are crucial for setting yourself up for peak performance. With a 75% pass rate according to current official data, proper preparation can significantly increase your chances of joining the successful candidates.
Strategy 1: Conduct a Final Review Session
The day before your exam, dedicate 2-3 hours to a comprehensive final review. Focus on the highest-weighted domains, particularly IGP Domain 4: Procedural Framework (16%), which carries the most weight on the exam. Review your notes on key concepts rather than trying to learn new material. This reinforces your existing knowledge without overwhelming your mind with new information.
Focus your final review on domains by weight: Procedural Framework (16%), Information Lifecycle (14%), then Architecture, Infrastructure, and Capabilities (13% each). This ensures you're strongest in the areas that impact your score most.
Strategy 2: Prepare Your Exam Day Materials
Gather all required materials the night before. You'll need two forms of valid identification, with your primary ID being government-issued photo identification. Ensure your name on the ID matches exactly with your exam registration. Prepare backup identification in case of any issues. Also, plan your route to the testing center and identify parking options.
Strategy 3: Get Quality Sleep and Nutrition
Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep the night before your exam. Avoid cramming late into the night, as fatigue can significantly impact your cognitive performance. On exam morning, eat a balanced breakfast with protein and complex carbohydrates to maintain steady energy throughout the 2 hours and 45 minutes of testing.
Exam Day Logistics and Arrival
Strategy 4: Arrive Early for Mental Preparation
Plan to arrive at the Pearson VUE testing center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This buffer time accounts for potential traffic delays, parking challenges, or check-in procedures. Arriving early also allows you to settle in mentally and reduces pre-exam anxiety.
The IGP exam follows strict closed-book, computer-based testing protocols. You cannot bring any personal items into the testing room, including phones, watches, or study materials. All materials will be secured during your exam session.
Strategy 5: Complete the Check-In Process Efficiently
The testing center will verify your identification, take your photograph, and may collect biometric data such as a palm scan or fingerprint. You'll receive a brief orientation about the testing procedures and be provided with scratch paper and writing implements if needed. Listen carefully to all instructions and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Time Management Techniques
Strategy 6: Master the 1.3-Minute Rule
With 165 minutes for 140 questions, you have approximately 1.18 minutes per question. However, it's practical to budget 1.3 minutes per question, giving you roughly 18 minutes of buffer time for difficult questions and final review. This timing ensures you don't rush through questions while maintaining a steady pace.
| Time Interval | Questions Completed | Remaining Questions | Status Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | 35 questions | 105 remaining | On pace |
| 90 minutes | 70 questions | 70 remaining | Halfway point |
| 135 minutes | 105 questions | 35 remaining | Final stretch |
| 165 minutes | 140 questions | Complete | Final review |
Strategy 7: Use Strategic Question Skipping
Don't get stuck on difficult questions during your first pass. Mark challenging questions for review and move forward. This strategy ensures you answer all questions you know confidently before spending extra time on uncertain ones. Most computer-based testing systems allow you to flag questions for later review.
Question Answering Strategies
Strategy 8: Apply the Process of Elimination
For multiple-choice questions where you're uncertain, systematically eliminate obviously incorrect answers first. This increases your probability of selecting the correct answer even when you're not completely certain. Look for answers that are too extreme, contain absolute terms like "always" or "never," or are clearly outside the scope of information governance.
If you can eliminate two incorrect answers from a four-option question, your chances improve from 25% to 50%. This technique is particularly valuable given that you need to score 650 out of 900 points to pass.
Strategy 9: Read Questions Carefully for Keywords
IGP exam questions often contain critical keywords that determine the correct answer. Pay attention to terms like "first," "primary," "most important," "least likely," and "except." These qualifiers significantly impact the meaning of questions and can help you identify the specific aspect of information governance being tested.
Strategy 10: Apply Real-World Experience Judiciously
While your professional experience in information governance is valuable, remember that the IGP exam tests knowledge of standardized best practices and frameworks, not necessarily how things work in your specific organization. When in doubt, choose answers that align with established ARMA International principles and widely accepted information governance standards.
Domain-Specific Test-Taking Tips
Strategy 11: Prioritize High-Weight Domain Knowledge
Since the IGP exam domains carry different weights, focus your mental energy accordingly. The Procedural Framework domain at 16% of the exam deserves extra attention, followed by Information Lifecycle at 14%. Understanding the relative importance helps you allocate time and mental resources effectively during the exam.
For questions related to steering committee responsibilities, remember that governance oversight and strategic direction are primary functions. Authority-related questions typically focus on legal and regulatory requirements, while support questions often involve training and change management aspects.
If you're running short on time, ensure you've answered questions from higher-weighted domains first. A correct answer in the Procedural Framework domain (16%) has more impact on your score than one in the Steering Committee domain (10%).
Strategy 12: Recognize Question Patterns
IGP exam questions often follow recognizable patterns. Scenario-based questions present a situation and ask for the best response. Definition questions test your knowledge of specific terms. Process questions focus on the correct sequence of activities. Recognizing these patterns helps you quickly identify what the question is really asking.
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Strategy 13: Implement Breathing Techniques
If you feel overwhelmed during the exam, take 30 seconds for controlled breathing. Inhale slowly for four counts, hold for four counts, then exhale for four counts. This technique activates your parasympathetic nervous system and can help restore focus and calm. The testing software typically allows brief pauses without affecting your overall time significantly.
Remember that the IGP exam difficulty is manageable with proper preparation. Many successful candidates report that their anxiety decreased once they got into the rhythm of answering questions.
If anxiety becomes overwhelming, remember that you can retake the exam if necessary. While the $599 fee makes retaking costly, knowing you have options can reduce performance pressure and help you focus on doing your best on this attempt.
Technical Considerations for Computer-Based Testing
Strategy 14: Familiarize Yourself with the Testing Interface
The Pearson VUE testing interface includes navigation buttons, question flagging options, and a timer. During the brief tutorial before your exam begins, explore these features. Understand how to move between questions, flag items for review, and track your remaining time. This familiarity prevents you from wasting time during the actual exam figuring out the interface.
The system typically provides an on-screen calculator for any questions requiring calculations, though these are rare on the IGP exam. You'll also have access to scratch paper for notes and calculations, which can be helpful for organizing your thoughts on complex scenarios.
Final Strategies to Maximize Your Score
Strategy 15: Conduct a Strategic Final Review
If you finish all questions with time remaining, resist the urge to immediately submit your exam. Instead, conduct a strategic review focusing on flagged questions and any answers you changed during the exam. Research shows that first instincts are often correct, so only change answers when you have a compelling reason based on careful reconsideration.
During your final review, also check for any questions you might have accidentally skipped. The testing software usually alerts you to unanswered questions, but it's worth double-checking to ensure you've responded to all 140 items.
Focus your remaining time on questions you flagged as uncertain rather than reviewing questions you answered confidently. This targeted approach maximizes the potential impact of your final review minutes.
Consider using practice tests before your exam day to simulate the testing experience and refine these strategies. The more familiar you are with the question format and timing, the more effectively you can implement these test-taking techniques.
Remember that success on the IGP exam opens doors to enhanced career opportunities and demonstrates your expertise in information governance. The potential salary benefits and professional value of IGP certification make the effort invested in proper exam preparation worthwhile.
After passing your exam, you'll need to maintain your certification through continuing education. Understanding the IGP recertification requirements early helps you plan for long-term professional development and ensures your certification remains current.
Finally, don't underestimate the value of comprehensive preparation using quality study materials. A well-structured IGP study guide combined with these test-taking strategies gives you the best chance of success. Many candidates also benefit from understanding what to expect by reviewing IGP practice questions that mirror the actual exam format and difficulty level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring two forms of valid identification, with the primary being a government-issued photo ID that matches your exam registration name exactly. You cannot bring any personal items, study materials, or electronic devices into the testing room, as the IGP follows strict closed-book testing protocols.
With 165 minutes for 140 questions, budget approximately 1.3 minutes per question. This pacing allows you to complete all questions with about 18 minutes remaining for review of flagged items and final checks.
Yes, the Pearson VUE testing interface allows you to flag questions for review and navigate between questions. This feature is valuable for managing your time effectively by not getting stuck on difficult questions during your first pass through the exam.
You can retake the IGP exam, though you'll need to pay the full $599 application and exam fee again. There are waiting periods between attempts, so check with ARMA International for current retake policies. Use the score report to identify weak areas for focused study before your next attempt.
Only change answers when you have a compelling reason based on careful reconsideration of the question. Research indicates that first instincts are often correct, so avoid changing answers due to anxiety or second-guessing without clear justification.
Ready to Start Practicing?
Put these exam day strategies to work with realistic practice questions that mirror the actual IGP exam format. Our comprehensive practice tests help you build confidence and refine your test-taking techniques before exam day.
Start Free Practice Test