Adobe Certified Professional Photoshop exam-day guide
Adobe Certified Professional Photoshop · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, valid ID in the name used for your registration. Exact accepted ID types vary by provider and test center; confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether a second ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and registration details
Bring the confirmation email or appointment number showing your test date, time, and location (or online proctoring link). Confirm with the provider how appointment details should be presented at check-in.
Know your exam delivery format and system requirements
Confirm with the provider whether you are taking the exam at a test center or via online proctoring, and for online delivery verify the required browser, webcam, microphone, and internet speed in advance.
Arrive early / log in early
Plan to arrive or connect well before your start time to complete check-in and ID verification. The exact early-arrival window and late-arrival cutoff are provider policies; confirm with the provider.
Review the exam objectives and scoring guide
Re-read the official Adobe Certified Professional exam objectives for Photoshop and the scoring/result information so you know the domains covered and the passing standard. Confirm current objectives and passing score with the provider.
Practice the core Photoshop workflows hands-on
Be fluent in layers and masks, selections, retouching, color adjustments, typography, smart objects, file formats, and export settings, since practical knowledge matters more than memorized trivia.
Prepare your workspace and environment
For online proctoring, use a quiet, private, well-lit room with a cleared desk and reliable power. Specific room and desk rules are provider-defined; confirm with the provider.
Understand break policy before the test
Ask in advance whether breaks are permitted, whether the clock stops, and any consequences of leaving the testing area. Break rules vary; confirm with the provider.
Confirm permitted and prohibited items
Ask the provider what you may bring (for example, whether any notes, water, or scratch materials are allowed) and what must be left outside the testing room.
Plan your travel and backup connectivity
Allow buffer time for transit or, for online delivery, have a backup internet option and the provider's support contact ready in case of technical issues.
Plan the day
Do a focused review of the official exam objectives and your weakest domains. Complete one or two timed practice sets or hands-on Photoshop exercises, then stop adding new material and consolidate what you already know.
Re-confirm your appointment time, location or proctoring link, ID requirements, and permitted items with the provider. Resolve any open questions now rather than on exam day.
Light review only: skim your summary notes and key shortcuts. Prepare your ID, confirmation details, and any permitted items. Check travel plans or test your proctoring setup (camera, mic, browser). Get a full night's sleep.
Eat normally, avoid cramming new topics, and arrive or log in early per the provider's instructions. For online delivery, close unnecessary applications and silence notifications before check-in.
Read each question fully, watch the clock, and flag uncertain items to revisit if the interface allows. Answer every question, since unanswered items typically score as incorrect. If a technical problem occurs, pause and notify the proctor or provider support immediately.
Follow the provider's instructions for receiving your score and any next steps. Do not assume an instant result unless the provider has stated that scoring is immediate.
Rules to check
Present valid, original photo ID in the name used at registration; the exact accepted forms and any secondary ID requirement are set by the provider, so confirm with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions and test-center or online-proctoring rules; prohibited behavior or items can lead to dismissal or a voided score, and the specific rules are provider-defined.
Do not bring or use unauthorized materials, devices, or assistance. Treat the exam as closed-book unless the provider explicitly states otherwise.
Ask about the break policy before test day: whether breaks are allowed, whether the timer runs during them, and what happens if you leave the testing area. Confirm with the provider.
Understand the scoring and retake policy in advance, including the passing score, when results are released, and any waiting period or fee for retakes. These are provider policies; confirm with the provider.
Report any technical issue or interruption to the proctor or provider support immediately rather than attempting to fix it silently, so the incident is documented.
Keep questions or concerns about exam content confidential per the provider's non-disclosure terms; do not share or reproduce exam items.