AAP exam-day guide
AAP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical ID, not a photocopy or photo on your phone. Make sure the name matches your registration record exactly (including middle name or suffix). Accepted ID types vary by provider and test center, so confirm the specific list with the exam provider before test day.
Exam appointment / scheduling confirmation
Have your confirmation number, appointment time, and test-center address handy. Confirm whether the provider requires a printed copy or accepts a digital version, and whether a separate admission letter or eligibility permit is needed.
Test-center logistics plan
Save the address in your phone, check parking or transit options, and identify a backup route. Plan to arrive at the report time stated on your confirmation; many centers recommend arriving 30 minutes early, but confirm the exact window with the provider.
Accommodations approval (if applicable)
If you were granted extended time, a separate room, or other accommodations, bring the written approval. Accommodations generally must be arranged in advance and cannot be requested on test day.
Comfortable layered clothing
Testing rooms can be cold or warm, so dress in layers. Be aware that some centers require you to remove outerwear or empty pockets before entering; confirm the dress and security rules with the provider.
Glasses, hearing aids, or medically necessary devices
Bring these if you rely on them. Items like insulin, inhalers, or other medically necessary supplies usually require prior approval, so confirm the process with the provider ahead of time.
Snack and water for breaks
Pack a small, quiet snack and a drink in case you get a break. Food and drink are typically not allowed at the workstation, so confirm where you may store and consume them.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and notes at home or in the car
Personal electronic devices and study materials are almost always prohibited in the testing room. Confirm the center's locker or storage policy so you know what to do with your phone and keys.
Review your weak-topic summary sheet only
Prepare a one- or two-page summary of high-yield concepts and formulas you keep forgetting. Use it for light review, not for learning new material in the final 48 hours.
Confirm break and timing policy in writing
Ask the provider whether breaks are scheduled or unscheduled, whether break time counts against your total testing time, and how many breaks are permitted. Policies vary and are not worth guessing.
Sleep and hydration plan
Set a realistic bedtime for the two nights before the exam and avoid all-nighters. Fatigue affects reasoning more than one extra hour of cramming will help.
Backup alarm and travel buffer
Set two alarms on separate devices and plan to arrive with at least 30 minutes of slack for traffic or transit delays. Late arrival can result in forfeiting your seat; confirm the provider's late-arrival rule.
Plan the day
Re-read your appointment confirmation and verify the report time, address, and any materials you must bring. Check that your photo ID is unexpired and that the name matches your registration. Confirm any accommodations approval is in hand. Do a final pass over your weak-topic summary, then stop learning new content.
Protect your sleep schedule: go to bed and wake at the times you will use on exam day. Avoid heavy caffeine after midday and skip marathon study sessions that push past your normal bedtime.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, accommodations letter if applicable, layers, snack, water. Charge devices and set alarms. Check the weather and transit advisories and identify parking. Confirm the report time once more.
Stop studying by early evening. A short, light review of your summary sheet is fine, but no new question sets and no score-checking. Eat a normal meal, lay out clothes, and go to bed early.
Eat a normal breakfast with protein and fiber, and moderate your caffeine so you are not jittery or needing frequent bathroom breaks. Leave earlier than you think you need to.
On arrival, follow the check-in process: ID verification, sign-in, locker storage for personal items. If a device or personal item slips through, declare it to the proctor before you are seated rather than after.
Read the instructions and tutorial screens carefully, confirm how to flag items, and locate the clock and the item counter. Answer every question, flag anything that takes more than roughly a minute, and move on.
Take breaks at the points you planned. On returning, check that your remaining time is where you expect it and that no flagged item was left unanswered. Before submitting, confirm you have answered every item unless the scoring rules say otherwise.
Do not discuss specific exam content with anyone. Review the provider's score-release timeline so you know when to expect results and what the reporting process is.
Rules to check
Bring only items the provider permits in the testing room. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, leave it in the car or locker and confirm with the provider beforehand rather than risk a testing irregularity.
Your photo ID must be original, unexpired, and match the name on your registration. If your legal name has changed, contact the provider before test day to update your record.
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are prohibited at the workstation. A device sounding or being visible during testing can lead to score cancellation, so confirm the storage rules and silence everything before check-in.
Follow every proctor instruction and the confidentiality agreement you sign. Do not copy, photograph, or reconstruct exam content afterward.
Ask the provider in writing about break rules: whether breaks are scheduled or unscheduled, whether break time is deducted from your testing time, and what you may access during a break. Do not assume another candidate's experience applies to you.
Confirm whether incorrect answers are penalized before deciding how to guess. If there is no penalty, never leave an item blank. If you cannot confirm, answer every item anyway, since most professional exams do not penalize guessing.
Report any technical problem, distraction, or interruption to the proctor immediately and ask that it be documented. Unreported issues are difficult to raise afterward.
Request accommodations well before test day. Approved accommodations are generally not available on the spot, so if you need extra time or a separate room, confirm the deadline and decision timeline with the provider.