ABPP Clinical Neuropsychology exam-day guide
ABPP Clinical Neuropsychology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of ID the testing provider specifies (often a current driver's license or passport). Confirm acceptable ID types and name-matching requirements with the provider in advance; do not assume.
Authorization/admission letter or scheduling confirmation
Bring any confirmation email, authorization-to-test document, or candidate number the provider issues. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or whether digital is accepted.
Know your exam format and timing
Confirm the number of items, time allotted, and whether the format is multiple-choice, oral, or a combination. The ABPP specialty board exam structure can change, so verify current specifics directly with ABPP rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Confirm remote vs. in-person logistics
If remote, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection and confirm the proctoring platform and room requirements. If in-person, confirm the address, parking, and arrival time. Ask the provider which applies to you.
Review your own practice/ethics and specialty materials
Bring (if permitted) or review your own study summaries of ethics codes, foundational neuropsychology knowledge, and your case conceptualization frameworks. Confirm with the provider what reference materials, if any, are allowed into the testing room.
Plan for breaks and sustenance
Bring water and a snack if permitted, and know the break policy. Confirm with the provider whether food, drink, and movement breaks are allowed and whether breaks are timed.
Backup plan for technology failure
If testing remotely, have a phone (silenced or as directed) and the provider's support contact number available so you can reach them if the connection drops. Confirm the provider's technical-support procedure.
Read the candidate handbook / rules of conduct
Obtain and read the current candidate handbook or rules document from the provider covering conduct, security, and scoring. Do not rely on memory of prior versions.
Sleep, medication, and health plan
Protect sleep in the days before, take routine medications as prescribed, and plan for any documented accommodations you have arranged in advance with the provider.
Arrive early / log in early
Plan to arrive or log in with buffer time before the scheduled start to complete check-in and identity verification. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival or login window.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook and rules of conduct; reconfirm exam date, time, location or platform, and ID requirements with the provider. Do light review of high-yield frameworks (ethics, foundational neuropsychology, your case-conceptualization approach) rather than cramming new material. Prepare and lay out documents and technology. Protect sleep and avoid schedule changes that could disrupt it.
Do a final logistics check: confirm the address or test your remote setup (camera, mic, connection, room). Pack ID and confirmation documents. Confirm break and material policies with the provider if still unclear. Stop heavy studying early, eat a normal meal, and prioritize sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, take routine medications, and arrive or log in early per the provider's instructions. Complete identity verification and any check-in steps. Silence devices as directed. Take a few minutes to settle and review your pacing plan.
Read each item carefully and manage your time against the confirmed item count and time limit. For multiple-choice items, answer every item if there is no penalty for guessing (confirm the scoring rule with the provider). Flag uncertain items if the platform allows and return if time permits. For oral or case-based components, structure answers and state your reasoning. Use only permitted breaks.
Rules to check
Bring and present the exact government-issued photo ID the provider requires; the name must match your registration. Confirm acceptable ID forms with the provider.
Follow all security and conduct rules in the candidate handbook, including prohibitions on unauthorized materials, recording, and communication during the exam. Confirm current rules with the provider.
Use only breaks permitted by the provider and follow any sign-out/sign-in or proctor instructions; confirm whether breaks are timed.
Do not discuss, reproduce, or share exam content. Treat all exam materials as confidential per the provider's rules.
If testing remotely, comply with proctoring requirements (camera on, room scan, permitted environment). Confirm specifics with the provider.
If a technology failure or emergency occurs, stop and contact the provider's support line promptly and follow their instructions; document what happened.
Understand the scoring and reporting policy (e.g., pass/fail determination, timing of results, retake rules) by reading the provider's current materials rather than assuming.
Report any suspected irregularity or accommodation need to the provider in advance; do not attempt to resolve it during the exam.