ACI Special Inspector exam-day guide
ACI Special Inspector · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID the provider requires. Name on the ID must match your registration. Confirm the specific ID types accepted with the provider.
Admission/confirmation document
Print or save your scheduling confirmation, confirmation number, and test center address or online proctoring link.
Approved calculator
If a calculator is permitted, bring a model that meets the provider's allowed list. Confirm whether calculators are provided on-screen or must be supplied.
Reference materials policy
Confirm whether any code books or references are allowed and in what format (physical or searchable PDF). Do not assume open-book rules.
Pencils/pen and scratch paper
Confirm what the test center supplies versus what you may bring. Many centers provide scratch materials and prohibit bringing your own.
Watch or time awareness
Confirm whether a watch is allowed; some centers prohibit all wrist devices. Practice pacing with the number of questions and time limit confirmed by the provider.
Personal items plan
Plan for storage of phone, bag, and outerwear. Most centers require phones off and stored; lockers may be limited.
Directions and arrival buffer
Know the route and arrive early. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival time and late-arrival policy.
Rest and logistics
Sleep, hydration, and a light meal before the exam. Avoid heavy meals that cause drowsiness.
Study consolidation
Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and commonly missed concepts. Do not start new material in the final day.
Plan the day
Confirm appointment details, ID requirements, calculator and reference policy, and test center location or proctoring setup. Take one or two timed practice sets to tune pacing. Review weak areas using your own notes. Stop heavy new learning.
Light review of summary sheets only. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and approved items in one place. Confirm travel time and parking or login setup. Get a full night of sleep; avoid cramming late.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early per the provider's guidance, and bring only approved items. At a test center, follow check-in and storage instructions. For remote proctoring, test your equipment and environment ahead of the start time.
Read the instructions and note the time limit and question count. Work steadily, answer easier questions first, and flag uncertain items for review if the interface allows. Watch the clock and reserve time to review flagged questions. Use scratch paper for calculations and unit checks.
Note any topics that felt uncertain while fresh. Confirm with the provider how and when results are reported and what the retake policy is.
Rules to check
Bring only the ID and materials the provider explicitly permits. Confirm the exact list with the provider before exam day; do not assume calculators, notes, or code books are allowed.
Phones and other electronic devices must typically be off and stored during the exam. Confirm the provider's device policy, including whether smartwatches are prohibited.
Follow all proctor instructions. At a test center, remain in the testing area except for approved breaks. For remote proctoring, keep your face and workspace visible and avoid leaving the camera view.
Confirm the break policy with the provider. Some exams allow scheduled breaks; unscheduled breaks may be counted against your time or may not be permitted.
Scoring and pass points are set by the provider. Confirm the passing standard, score reporting timeline, and whether results are immediate or delayed.
Understand the retake and eligibility rules before you sit. Confirm waiting periods and any limits on attempts with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not share or reproduce exam content afterward.
If equipment or test center issues occur, notify the proctor or provider immediately and follow their documented procedure for incident reporting.