AI-103 exam-day guide
AI-103 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID name matching your registration. Accepted ID types and name-match rules vary by delivery provider (test center vs. online proctored) - confirm the accepted list with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation / registration number
Have your confirmation email or registration ID accessible in case the proctor or test center needs to locate your booking.
Working webcam, microphone, and speakers/headset (online-proctored)
Run the provider's system pre-check on the same machine and network you will use on exam day. Built-in laptop cameras are usually fine; confirm any headset restrictions with the provider.
Stable wired-or-strong Wi-Fi connection and a backup plan
Know how to tether to a phone hotspot if your primary connection drops. Test upload speed and latency during a pre-check.
Quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk
Remove papers, phones, second monitors, and clutter from the camera's view. Proctors commonly ask for a 360-degree room scan - expect it.
Close all other applications and disable notifications
Background apps, chat clients, and auto-updates are a common cause of proctoring flags and session interruptions.
Permitted scratch materials
Rules on physical paper, pens, and on-screen whiteboards differ by provider and delivery mode - confirm what is allowed with the provider, and have an approved alternative ready if paper is prohibited.
Charged laptop and power adapter
Do not rely on battery alone for a 1-2 hour proctored session; a power loss mid-exam can end the attempt.
Water in a clear container, if permitted
Some proctoring rules restrict drinks on camera - confirm with the provider. Stay hydrated either way.
A one-page personal cheat sheet to review, then put away
Summarize your own weak spots (e.g., Foundry project setup, agent tool calling, RAG with Azure AI Search, evaluation metrics). Do not keep any notes visible during the exam.
Plan for arriving/logging in early
Aim to be in the waiting room well before your slot; check-in, ID verification, and room scan can take 10-20 minutes.
Knowledge of the exam's logistics
Question count, time limit, pass score, and break policy are set by the provider - confirm them from your appointment details rather than assuming.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Do one timed practice set and review only the explanations you got wrong. Re-read your own notes on Azure AI Foundry projects, model deployment, prompt flow / agent orchestration, tool and function calling, retrieval-augmented generation with Azure AI Search, and content safety. Confirm your appointment time, time zone, and delivery mode.
Run the provider's system test on your exam machine. Update the OS and browser, then disable auto-updates. Tell housemates about your exam window so the room stays quiet. Protect sleep: two full nights before the exam matter more than one late-night cram.
Re-confirm the appointment and any reschedule deadline. Pack your ID and any permitted materials. Do a final 30-minute skim of your cheat sheet, then close the books. Charge devices. Plan the room setup and, for a test center, the route and arrival buffer.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and avoid starting a new topic. Log in or arrive early with buffer time. Clear the desk and room, silence your phone and put it out of reach. Keep your ID within arm's reach. Do a few slow breaths before the first question.
Read each stem for the constraint words (cheapest, least effort, most secure, first step). Answer the easy items first and flag long scenario items to revisit. For case-study-style sets, read the requirements before the exhibits. Eliminate obviously wrong options before guessing; unanswered items score zero. Keep an eye on the clock but do not panic-check it every question. If the session drops, follow the provider's reconnect procedure and contact support immediately.
Submit or review flagged items. Make sure no question is left blank. Confirm submission before closing the browser.
Rules to check
Present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration; without acceptable ID you may be turned away and lose the fee - confirm the accepted ID list with the provider.
No unauthorized materials in the testing space: no notes, books, phones, smart watches, or secondary screens. Only use scratch materials explicitly permitted by the proctor.
Stay on camera and in frame for the entire session. Do not talk to anyone, read questions aloud in a way the proctor flags, or leave the view without permission.
Break policy depends on exam length and provider - confirm in advance whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are allowed, and note that the clock usually keeps running.
Scoring is reported on the provider's scale with a passing threshold set per exam; do not assume a percentage. Confirm the current passing score and whether partial credit applies to multi-part items.
Report any technical problem to the proctor or support immediately and note the time; do not attempt to fix a proctoring issue by restarting on your own without guidance.
If you believe a question is defective, answer as best you can and note it afterward - do not spend exam time drafting a complaint.
Results, score reports, and retake rules are governed by the provider's policy; confirm the retake waiting period and whether your score report shows domain-level breakdowns.