RST exam-day guide
RST · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification the testing provider requires. Confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Admission/confirmation document
Bring your scheduling confirmation or admission ticket if the provider issues one. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is acceptable.
Appointment details and test-center address
Save the address, room, and arrival time. If testing remotely, confirm the platform, link, and system requirements in advance.
Know your arrival time
Arrive earlier than your appointment as instructed by the provider. Confirm with the provider how early you should arrive and what happens if you are late.
Permitted items only
Plan to bring only items the provider allows into the testing room. Confirm with the provider its rules on phones, watches, notes, bags, and outerwear.
No personal notes or study materials
Leave flashcards, notes, and reference materials outside the testing area unless the provider explicitly permits them.
Comfort and timing logistics
Plan meals, hydration, and travel so you arrive calm. Confirm with the provider its policy on food, drink, and restroom access during the test.
Review the format and timing
Know the number of questions, section timing, and whether sections are separately timed. Confirm with the provider the current format and any scheduled breaks.
Understand the scoring and reporting
Know how the exam is scored and when results are released. Confirm with the provider the passing standard and score-report timing.
Plan for technical failure (remote testing)
If testing online, test your equipment ahead of time and know the provider's procedure for technical problems. Confirm with the provider its support contact and reconnection policy.
Backup plan for travel problems
Identify a backup route and contact number in case of delays. Confirm with the provider its reschedule and late-arrival policy.
Read the provider's candidate agreement
Review the rules you agree to follow, including conduct and prohibited items. Confirm with the provider any terms you are unsure about.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review summaries, formulas, and your own error log. Confirm appointment time, location or remote setup, and ID requirements with the provider. Protect sleep and avoid cramming.
Do a light review only. Prepare and pack permitted items and ID. Check travel or equipment. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early, and bring only permitted items. Do a brief warm-up of familiar material, not new topics. Stay calm and follow check-in instructions.
Read each question carefully, watch the clock, and pace yourself across sections. Answer easier questions first if the format allows, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Use any scheduled breaks as instructed. If a technical or procedural problem occurs, notify the proctor immediately.
Note what felt difficult while it is fresh, and confirm with the provider when and how results will be reported.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from the proctor and testing staff. Confirm with the provider any rule you do not understand before the test begins.
Bring and present the required identification. Confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and whether the name must match your registration.
Leave prohibited items outside the testing room. Confirm with the provider its list of prohibited and permitted items.
Do not communicate with other candidates or use unauthorized materials during the test. Confirm with the provider its policy on calculators, scratch paper, and reference materials.
Understand the break policy before you start. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops, and what you may access during breaks.
Know how the exam is scored and what constitutes a passing result. Confirm with the provider the current passing standard and whether wrong answers are penalized.
Report any technical or procedural problem to the proctor immediately rather than trying to resolve it yourself.
Understand the consequences of misconduct and the provider's reschedule, cancellation, and score-invalidation policies. Confirm with the provider for specifics.