CO exam-day guide
CO · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and testing details
Have your scheduling confirmation, test center address or remote-testing link, and start time saved offline and on your phone. Confirm with the provider how and when the link or admission ticket is issued.
Know your test format and section timing
Re-read the official structure (number of questions, time per section, whether sections are timed separately). If unsure of specifics, confirm with the provider rather than relying on memory.
Approved calculator or reference materials
Only bring aids the provider explicitly permits. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is provided on-screen, allowed as a physical device, or prohibited.
Permitted scratch materials
Many providers supply scratch paper or an on-screen notepad and forbid bringing your own. Confirm with the provider what is allowed and how scratch materials are handled.
Remote-testing environment check (if applicable)
If testing online, verify camera, microphone, browser, and internet stability in advance. Confirm with the provider the required system check and room rules.
Arrival buffer and route plan
Plan to arrive well before your start time; late arrivals may be denied entry. Confirm with the provider the recommended arrival window and late-arrival policy.
Logistics: parking, transit, food, water
Sort out transport and a light meal so you are not rushed. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the testing room.
Personal items plan
Most centers restrict phones, watches, bags, and notes to a locker or outside the room. Confirm with the provider what can be stored and what must stay home.
Rest and readiness the night before
Protect sleep, avoid last-minute cramming of new material, and prepare clothes and items the night before.
Accessibility or special accommodations
If you requested accommodations, confirm approval and logistics in advance. Confirm with the provider the status of your request and any documentation needed.
Score-report and retake understanding
Know how and when results are delivered and any retake or waiting-period rules. Confirm with the provider the exact score-release timeline and retake policy.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidation: review summaries, formulas, and your error log; take at most one light practice set to stay sharp; stop heavy study the evening before the test.
Re-read the official test-day instructions and confirm logistics: appointment time, location or remote link, ID requirements, and permitted items. Confirm with the provider anything you cannot verify from official sources.
Prepare and pack your items (ID, confirmation, permitted aids) and set out clothes; check transport times and plan your arrival buffer.
Do a short, low-stress review of key facts only; avoid new topics and full-length practice tests. Verify your remote setup if testing online.
Confirm your start time and location or link one last time, charge devices, and set two alarms. Aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and arrive with time to spare. Leave phones and prohibited items stowed per the provider's rules.
Read each question carefully, watch the clock per section, and answer easier questions first if the format allows returning to items. Flag uncertain items and revisit if time permits.
Use permitted scratch materials to organize reasoning, and take scheduled breaks only where allowed. If a technical issue occurs during a remote test, follow the provider's stated support process.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID required and ensure the name matches your registration; confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and what happens if they do not match.
Arrive within the provider's stated window; late arrivals may be refused entry or forfeit the fee. Confirm with the provider the specific late-arrival policy.
Follow all prohibitions on phones, watches, notes, and unauthorized aids; violations can lead to score cancellation. Confirm with the provider the full list of banned items.
Breaks are typically allowed only at designated times and may be monitored; confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are permitted and how they affect timing.
Understand the scoring and any penalty rules before test day; confirm with the provider whether wrong answers are penalized or whether guessing is advisable.
Treat all test content as confidential and do not record, photograph, or share questions; doing so can void your score.
If you test remotely, follow the proctor's room and behavior rules exactly; confirm with the provider the environment requirements in advance.
If something goes wrong (illness, technical failure, or a rule dispute), ask the provider for the documented process and keep records; confirm with the provider the official complaint or reschedule procedure.