CDEI exam-day guide
CDEI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type and name spelling your registration requires. If your registration name and ID name differ, confirm with the provider before test day how to resolve it.
Appointment confirmation and test-taker ID number
Have your confirmation email and any candidate/eligibility ID accessible. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Know your test delivery format
Confirm whether you are taking the exam at a test center or via remote proctoring, and note the check-in time, which is typically earlier than the scheduled start.
Review the provider's allowed-materials list
Confirm with the provider what is permitted (calculator, scratch paper, reference sheet, notes). Assume nothing is allowed unless the provider states it.
Remote-proctoring system check (if applicable)
If testing remotely, run the provider's equipment/system test in advance and confirm browser, webcam, microphone, and internet requirements. Confirm with the provider which browsers and connections are supported.
Plan travel and arrival buffer
Arrive with time to spare for ID check and security. Confirm with the provider the late-arrival cutoff and whether late arrivals are admitted.
Rest and logistics the night before
Confirm start time, location or remote link, and time zone. Set alarms and arrange transportation or a quiet, private space for remote testing.
Know the exam structure
Review the published number of questions, time limit, and whether sections are timed separately. Confirm with the provider any section-level timing rules.
Confirm break policy
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed, whether they are scheduled or optional, and whether the clock stops during breaks.
Confirm scoring and result timing
Know the passing standard and when results are released. Confirm with the provider the exact score scale and reporting timeline, since these vary.
Confirm reschedule/cancellation terms
Know the deadline and fees for rescheduling in case of illness or emergency. Confirm with the provider the current policy and any exceptions.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Do targeted review of your weakest domains and re-read the exam blueprint so you know the weighting. Take at most one light practice set to check pacing, then stop. Confirm your appointment details, ID requirements, and delivery format with the provider.
Do a logistics check: ID ready, confirmation accessible, route or remote setup verified, quiet space arranged. Confirm start time and time zone. Avoid cramming; a short review of key concepts and formulas is enough. Prioritize sleep and a normal meal schedule.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and arrive or log in early per the provider's check-in instructions. Do a final equipment check if remote. Keep the pre-exam period calm; avoid last-minute debates with yourself over answers.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'best', 'first', or 'except'. Answer confident items first and flag uncertain ones to revisit if the interface allows. Pace against the clock and leave time to review flagged items. If a break is permitted, follow the provider's break procedure exactly.
Rules to check
Bring only the identification and materials the provider explicitly permits; confirm the allowed-items list with the provider before test day.
Present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name. Confirm with the provider how name mismatches are handled.
Follow all proctor instructions. During remote testing, remain in view of the camera and in the testing area; confirm with the provider what movement and materials are allowed.
Do not communicate with others, use unauthorized devices or notes, or access external resources during the exam. Treat any ambiguity as prohibited and confirm with the provider in advance.
Follow the provider's break rules: confirm whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock runs during them, and what you may access during a break.
Understand the scoring before you sit: confirm the passing standard, score scale, and whether wrong answers are penalized. If unsure, answer every question unless the provider states otherwise.
Report any technical problem or interruption to the proctor immediately and follow their instructions; confirm with the provider how incidents are documented.
Keep your confirmation and result correspondence; confirm with the provider the process and deadline for score inquiries or appeals.