ABCP Diplomate exam-day guide
ABCP Diplomate · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name matches your registration exactly. If your ID name differs from your registration (e.g., maiden vs. married name), confirm with the provider in advance what additional documentation they require.
Confirmation / admission notice
Print or save your scheduling confirmation with test center address, arrival time, and any candidate ID number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is accepted.
Know your test-center logistics
Confirm the exact address, parking or transit options, building entrance, and arrival time. If testing remotely, confirm the platform, system check, and room requirements with the provider.
Review the current candidate handbook
Download the provider's candidate handbook the week of the exam. It governs permitted items, break rules, and scoring. Policies change; treat the handbook as the source of truth.
Confirm permitted and prohibited items
Ask the provider which items are allowed (e.g., calculator, scratch paper, water, snacks, earplugs). Do not assume; bring only what is expressly permitted.
Confirm break policy and timing
Ask whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops during breaks, and what you may access during a break (e.g., locker, food, notes). Phrase any assumption as unconfirmed.
Confirm scoring and result timing
Ask the provider how the exam is scored (scaled score vs. pass/fail), the passing standard, and when and how results are released.
Plan your medication and health needs
If you need medication, food, or accommodation during the exam, request accommodations from the provider well before test day; approval timelines vary.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, lay out ID and confirmation, charge devices, and plan your route with buffer time for traffic or check-in delays.
Arrive early
Arrive at the test center with time to spare for check-in and ID verification. Confirm the provider's late-arrival policy in advance; do not assume you will be admitted if late.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary notes and high-yield concepts only. Re-read the candidate handbook for permitted items, break rules, and scoring. Confirm test-center address, arrival time, and remote-testing setup if applicable. Sleep on a normal schedule.
Do a light review only; no cramming. Pack ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Confirm transportation and set alarms. Eat a normal meal and prioritize sleep. Avoid last-minute schedule changes.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and arrive early. Leave prohibited items (phone, smartwatch, notes) at home or in the locker as instructed. Do a brief calm-down routine before check-in.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers (best, first, except). Answer the easier items first and flag uncertain ones to revisit. Use breaks only as permitted, and manage the clock so you leave time to review flagged items and confirm you have answered every question. If a technical problem occurs, notify the proctor immediately.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID required by the provider; photocopies and expired IDs are typically not accepted. Confirm the exact ID requirement with the provider.
Bring only items the provider expressly permits. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and other unauthorized items are generally prohibited in the testing room; confirm the list with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions and test-center rules. If you are unsure whether an action is allowed, ask the proctor before acting.
Understand the break policy before you start: confirm whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops, and what you may access during a break.
Know the scoring model and passing standard in advance, and confirm how and when results are released with the provider.
If you need testing accommodations, request and confirm them with the provider well before test day; do not assume they will be granted on the day.
Report any technical or environmental problem to the proctor immediately rather than trying to resolve it yourself.
Confirm the provider's late-arrival, rescheduling, and cancellation policies before test day; do not assume you can reschedule at short notice.