ACM exam-day guide
ACM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Appointment confirmation / admission letter
Have a printed and a digital copy showing your name, test date, start time, and location or remote-proctoring link. Double-check the start time against the time zone on your confirmation.
Primary photo ID
Government-issued photo ID with your name spelled exactly as on the registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a signature is required.
Secondary ID or authorization documents
Some providers require a second ID or an accommodation/authorization letter. Ask the provider in advance rather than assuming; bring whatever they confirm in writing.
Verified login credentials
Log in to your testing account at least 48 hours ahead to confirm the username and password work and that you can complete any required identity verification or security-question setup.
Remote-proctoring system check (if applicable)
Install any required secure browser or proctor software, then run the equipment test: camera, microphone, speakers, internet stability, and a quiet, well-lit private room. Repeat the check the morning of the exam.
Approved calculator and scratch materials
Confirm in writing whether an on-screen calculator, a physical calculator, erasable board, or paper is permitted, and which models qualify. Do not bring unapproved items into the testing room.
Storage plan for personal items
Plan for phone, watch, keys, wallet, and bag. Most centers require them stored away from the testing station; confirm locker or storage availability with the provider.
Break supplies
Water and a light snack you can reach during a scheduled break, plus a layer in case the room is cold. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed in the testing area.
Travel and backup plan
Know the route, parking or transit options, and a backup if the primary plan fails. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival window and late-arrival policy in advance.
One-page summary sheet
A single page of formulas, definitions, or decision rules you have already studied. Use it for a final 15-minute skim, not for learning anything new.
Know the score-report and retake process
Understand when and how results are released, what score counts as passing, and how many attempts are allowed before you sit down.
Plan the day
Re-read the confirmation email end to end. Verify the date, start time, time zone, and format (in-person or remote). Check that your ID is unexpired and the name matches your registration; if it does not, contact the provider immediately.
Complete the logistics: confirm the address or proctoring link, do a dry run of the commute or run the full remote system test, and get written confirmation of any accommodations you requested.
Do one timed practice set under exam-like conditions, then stop adding new material. Spend the remaining time on your weakest two or three topics and your summary sheet.
Pack everything on the checklist. Charge devices, print the confirmation, confirm your login one last time, and lay out your ID and clothes. Set two alarms. Aim for a normal night's sleep rather than a late cram session.
Eat a normal meal and limit caffeine to your usual amount. Skim only your one-page summary. Leave earlier than you think you need to, and bring your ID in hand, not buried in a bag.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly, empty your pockets, present your ID, and read the on-screen tutorial and navigation instructions. Ask the proctor about the break policy and how to flag a technical problem before you start.
Answer the questions you know quickly. Flag anything that takes more than roughly a minute and move on; do not let one hard item consume your pacing.
Set mental checkpoints (for example, one quarter and one half of the allotted time). If you are behind at a checkpoint, speed up on familiar items rather than skipping entire sections.
Take the scheduled break if you are permitted one; stand, hydrate, and reset. Confirm beforehand whether the clock stops during breaks.
Confirm every question has an answer if there is no penalty for guessing, then review flagged items only. Do not change answers without a concrete reason.
Rules to check
Your ID must match your registered name exactly. If your name has changed or the spelling differs, resolve it with the provider before exam day, not at check-in.
Bring only approved items to the testing station. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and unapproved calculators stay stored and switched off; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider in advance.
Confirm the break policy before you begin: whether breaks are scheduled or on demand, whether the clock runs during them, and whether you must check out and back in with the proctor.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the proctor during the exam, and do not screenshot, record, or reproduce exam content. Doing so is typically grounds for score cancellation.
Confirm the scoring rules, specifically whether unanswered or incorrect answers are penalized. If there is no penalty, leave nothing blank.
Confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider. Arriving after the cutoff can mean forfeiting your seat and your fee with no refund, and that threshold varies by provider.
If equipment, connectivity, or the testing platform fails, stop and notify the proctor immediately and get a case or ticket number. Do not attempt to troubleshoot silently or restart the exam on your own.
Follow the provider's stated retake and score-reporting rules. Do not assume a waiting period or a number of allowed attempts; get it in writing before you test.