ACAT ATP exam-day guide
ACAT ATP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID form and name spelling your registration requires; confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is needed.
Admission or 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 copy is acceptable.
Know your test center logistics
Confirm address, entrance, parking or transit, and arrival time with the provider. Do a route check the day before if the location is unfamiliar.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to arrive well before your scheduled start. The exact cut-off for late arrival and whether late arrivals are admitted must be confirmed with the provider.
Permitted items only
Assume a strict list of allowed items. Confirm with the provider what is permitted (e.g., keys, wallet, tissues, medication) and what must be left outside the testing room.
No personal electronics in the testing room
Phones, smartwatches, and other devices are typically prohibited in the testing area. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored.
Any approved accommodations
If you have approved testing accommodations, bring the approval documentation the provider specifies and confirm the process in advance.
Comfort and focus basics
Bring water and a snack only if the provider permits them and only for designated break areas. Confirm with the provider before relying on this.
Rest and timing plan
Protect sleep in the final 72 hours and know your scheduled report time. Avoid last-minute cramming the morning of the test.
Review the provider's candidate handbook
Read the current candidate handbook or rules page for conduct, breaks, scoring, and rescheduling. Policies change, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
Plan the day
Confirm test center location, report time, and ID requirements with the provider. Re-read the candidate rules on conduct and permitted items. Do light review of weak areas rather than new material, and keep sleep and meals consistent.
Lay out ID, confirmation document, and permitted items the night before. Check the route and travel time, including contingencies for traffic or transit delays. Confirm any accommodation approvals. Stop heavy studying and prioritize sleep.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early with your documents, and leave prohibited items secured as the provider directs. Follow check-in instructions exactly, including ID verification and any security screening.
Read each question fully, answer every item, and flag uncertain items to revisit if the interface allows. Use breaks only as permitted, watch the clock, and budget time to review flagged questions before the end of each section.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted.
Follow all test center and proctor instructions, including any security screening and item-storage rules; confirm with the provider what is prohibited.
Do not communicate with other candidates or use unauthorized materials or devices during the test; treat any suspected irregularity as reportable and confirm the provider's reporting process.
Breaks are typically available only at designated points and may be timed; confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or count against your time.
Scoring policies, including how unanswered questions are treated and whether there is a penalty for guessing, vary by exam; confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, follow the provider's published deadlines and fees; confirm current terms with the provider before your test date.
If technical or personal issues arise during the test, notify the proctor immediately and follow the provider's incident process; confirm how incidents are documented.