AFSP exam-day guide
AFSP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which specific forms of ID are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Confirmation/authorization to test
Print or save your scheduling confirmation and any authorization or eligibility notice. The exact documents required at check-in should be confirmed with the provider.
Know your test center logistics
Confirm the exact address, arrival time, and check-in window in advance. Arrive earlier than the stated time to allow for security and sign-in.
Review the current candidate handbook
Read the provider's current handbook for rules on permitted items, calculators, scratch paper, and personal belongings. Policies vary and can change, so use the version in effect for your exam date.
Confirm permitted aids
Check whether any calculator, reference sheet, or other aid is provided on-screen or permitted. Do not assume; confirm with the provider.
Plan transportation and backup
Map the route, account for traffic and parking, and identify a backup plan. Late arrival can forfeit your seat depending on provider rules.
Prepare for storage of personal items
Expect to store phone, watch, bag, and notes per center rules. Confirm what is allowed at your seat with the provider.
Get a full night's sleep and normal meals
Avoid last-minute cramming the night before. Eat a normal meal before the test and hydrate.
Know your break policy
Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled or optional, and whether the clock stops. Break rules differ by provider and delivery format.
Plan for accommodations if approved
If you have approved testing accommodations, confirm the arrangements and any supporting documentation needed on test day with the provider.
Plan the day
Do a final content review focused on weak areas and high-level frameworks rather than new material. Re-read the provider's test-day rules and confirm your appointment time and location. Gather your ID and confirmation documents in one place.
Stop heavy studying. Light review of summary notes only. Confirm transportation and set two alarms. Prepare clothes, ID, and confirmation. Get to bed at a normal hour.
Eat a normal breakfast, avoid excessive caffeine, and arrive early. Leave distracting materials at home or stored per rules. Do a brief calm-down routine, then focus on the first section.
Read each question fully, watch for qualifiers, and budget time per question based on the number of items. Flag and move past hard questions, then return. Use breaks as permitted to reset. If a technical issue occurs, notify the proctor immediately.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID required by the provider; name mismatches or expired documents can bar entry. Confirm accepted ID forms with the provider.
Follow all check-in and security instructions, including storage of phones, watches, and notes. Unauthorized items at your seat can lead to dismissal.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not attempt to copy, record, or share exam content. Such conduct can void your score.
Confirm the break policy before test day and follow proctor instructions during any break; leaving the testing area may be restricted.
Understand the scoring and pass standard from the provider's handbook, including how unanswered questions are treated. Do not rely on secondhand claims.
If you experience a technical or environmental problem, report it to the proctor immediately and ask how it will be documented.
Review the provider's policy on rescheduling, cancellations, and score cancellation before test day so you know your options.
Confirm with the provider any policy you are unsure about rather than guessing; policies can change and vary by location and delivery format.