ACI CTCI exam-day guide
ACI CTCI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID name matching your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and test-taker login
Have your scheduling confirmation, candidate ID, and any portal credentials ready. Confirm with the provider how login credentials are delivered.
Know your delivery format and location
Verify whether your sitting is at a test center or remote-proctored, plus the exact address or software requirements. Confirm logistics with the provider.
Review the published exam guide and content outline
Re-read the official ACI CTCI exam information (domains, question format, duration, and any references allowed). Use only the provider's current published materials.
Confirm allowed reference materials and tools
Determine whether any codes, standards, or calculators are permitted and in what form (physical vs. on-screen). Confirm with the provider; policies vary.
Confirm break and timing policy
Ask whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and how many questions/time you have. Confirm with the provider.
Confirm reschedule/cancellation deadlines
Know the deadline and any fee before you are locked in. Confirm with the provider.
Plan travel and arrive early
For in-person sittings, arrive ahead of your slot to allow check-in and ID verification. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival time.
Prepare your testing environment (remote sittings)
Quiet private room, stable internet, working camera/microphone, cleared desk. Confirm the provider's room and equipment rules.
Get sleep and a normal meal
Avoid last-minute cramming the night before; fatigue hurts performance on long, technical exams.
Bring water and know food/drink rules
Confirm with the provider whether water or snacks are allowed at your seat or only during breaks.
Plan the day
Re-read the official content outline and map weak domains; do targeted review of formulas, code provisions, and terminology rather than new topics. Confirm appointment details, ID, and delivery format with the provider.
Take one timed practice set under exam-like conditions if available; review only your errors. Stop introducing new material.
Light review of summary sheets and key references only. Confirm travel plan or remote-setup check (camera, mic, internet, software). Lay out ID and confirmation. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in early, complete ID verification calmly. Do a final skim of high-level notes only; avoid heavy cramming that raises anxiety.
Read the instructions and note the time budget. Do a quick first pass answering questions you know, flagging uncertain ones.
Work flagged questions with remaining time; watch the clock and pace per question. Use any allowed reference material methodically.
Reserve the last few minutes to ensure no unanswered questions and to review flagged items. Submit per the provider's procedure.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration; confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions and the provider's conduct rules; confirm what is prohibited (phones, notes, unauthorized references) before test day.
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock pauses, and any unscheduled-break penalties.
Confirm with the provider whether any reference materials or calculators are permitted, and in what form.
Understand the scoring and pass standard from the provider's official materials; do not rely on secondhand claims about cut scores.
If taking remotely, follow the provider's environment and equipment rules exactly; violations can void your result.
Do not discuss, record, or share exam content; adhere to the provider's confidentiality and integrity agreement.
If something goes wrong (technical issue, illness, ID problem), notify the proctor or provider immediately and follow their documented process.