ABF Officer Recruit Cognify exam-day guide
ABF Officer Recruit Cognify · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification that matches your registered name
Bring the original document (not a photocopy or phone photo). A current passport or driver licence is the usual expectation for identity-verified testing, but the exact list of accepted documents varies by provider and venue - confirm with the provider before the day and do not rely on a student card or expired document.
Your booking confirmation and candidate/reference number
Print or save offline a copy of the invitation email showing your name, session time, venue or access link, and any candidate ID. You may be asked to quote the reference if you need to call about a technical problem.
Login credentials and browser details (online sittings)
Confirm the exact browser and version required and test your username/password on the practice or system-check link at least a day ahead. Password reset queues on the morning of a test are a common cause of missed starts.
A suitable device with working camera and microphone
Many supervised cognitive sittings are delivered online with webcam monitoring. Use a laptop or desktop rather than a phone or tablet unless the provider explicitly permits mobile devices, and disable notifications, updates and other apps beforehand.
Stable internet with a backup option
Wired or strong home wi-fi is preferable to public or shared networks. Have a mobile hotspot or a phone number for the provider's support line ready in case the connection drops.
Power supply
Charge the device fully and keep the charger plugged in and within reach for the whole session.
A quiet, private, well-lit room
For supervised online sittings, expect to be alone, with the door closed, desk clear, and your face and desk visible to the camera. Tell household members not to enter during the session.
A clear desk with nothing extra on it
Remove notes, phones, smart watches, calculators, books and secondary screens unless the provider explicitly allows an item. Unapproved materials on the desk can lead to a conduct finding even if unused.
Water, and a light snack for afterwards
Hydration helps, but check whether drinks are permitted at the desk under the supervision rules for your sitting before you place anything within reach.
Travel plan and arrival time (in-person sittings)
Confirm the venue address, parking or public transport options, and the arrival window. Arriving early reduces the risk that a delay is treated as a late arrival - confirm the provider's late-arrival policy in advance.
Familiarity with the task types
Cognify-style batteries typically include several short game-like tasks covering memory, numerical and abstract reasoning, attention/speed, and emotion or pattern recognition. Complete any practice items the provider offers so the instructions on the day are not your first exposure.
A read of the candidate handbook or rules page
Check the rules on breaks, calculators, scratch paper, permitted aids, scoring and rescheduling. If anything is unclear, ask the provider in writing before the test day rather than assuming.
Plan the day
Lock in the logistics: re-read the invitation and rules page, complete any system or identity check, confirm the venue or access link, and sort out your ID. Do one or two short practice sessions to learn the task formats, then stop - cramming does not help on speed-and-accuracy games and can leave you flat on the day.
Protect your sleep. Re-check the start time in your own time zone, lay out ID, charger and confirmation, and clear your desk or pack your bag. Avoid alcohol and heavy late-night screen use, and note the provider's support number or email in case something breaks.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in early as instructed, and do a quick tech run-through (camera, microphone, sound, internet). Close every other application. Use the bathroom before you begin - stopping mid-session is usually not permitted.
Read each instruction screen carefully before the timer starts; practice items usually do not count. Work steadily and accurately rather than rushing, keep an eye on the per-task timer, and do not leave a task early unless the instructions say it is allowed. If a task feels unfamiliar, treat it as one part of a battery - do not let it derail the rest.
Note the time and what happened, follow any on-screen recovery instructions, and contact the provider immediately afterwards. Do not restart the assessment or open a second attempt unless the provider tells you to, as this may be treated as a conduct issue.
Save or screenshot any confirmation of completion, and note down anything unusual while it is fresh. Ask the provider - not forums - about next steps and timelines for results.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo ID in the name you registered under. If your name or documents have changed, tell the provider before the day - mismatches are usually resolved before testing, not at the door.
Assume no aids are permitted unless the provider says otherwise: no calculators, phones, smart watches, notes, or a second screen. If you believe you need an adjustment or assistive aid, request it through the provider's accessibility process well before the session.
Supervised online sittings generally require you to be alone in a closed room with your face and workspace visible. Do not talk to others, do not leave the camera view, and do not let anyone enter the room until you have finished.
Timed tasks typically advance automatically and cannot be paused. Plan for no breaks during the scored tasks; confirm any scheduled break arrangements with the provider in advance.
Expect scoring to reward both accuracy and speed, with some tasks penalising errors. Follow the on-screen instruction on whether to guess - guessing policy differs between task types, so do not assume one rule applies to all.
Treat the content as confidential. Do not screenshot, record, photograph, or share task content or your results on social media or with other candidates.
If you are unwell or there is an emergency, contact the provider as soon as possible to discuss options. Do not sit the test and ask for a re-sit afterwards unless the provider's policy allows it - confirm the rescheduling and special-circumstances rules beforehand.
Results and any retest or cooling-off period are governed by the provider's and the recruiting agency's policy, not by your practice scores. Confirm how and when outcomes are communicated rather than following unofficial advice.