SPI exam-day guide
SPI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current, unexpired photo ID. The name on the ID should match your registration record exactly; if your name has changed, confirm with the provider (ARDMS/Pearson VUE) how to handle it before test day. Confirm which ID forms are accepted at your specific testing center.
Appointment confirmation details
Have your appointment confirmation number, test date/time, and testing-center address available (digital or printed). Confirm in advance whether your center requires a printed copy.
Verified testing-center location and route
Look up the exact address, parking situation, and transit options a few days ahead. Do a dry run if the center is unfamiliar, and plan a buffer for traffic and security check-in.
Arrival time plan
Plan to arrive well before your scheduled start time. Seating is usually first-come within your appointment slot, and check-in (ID check, photo, security screening, locker assignment) takes time. Confirm the recommended arrival window with the provider.
Approved accommodations documentation (if applicable)
If you requested testing accommodations, confirm approval ahead of time and check with the provider whether you need to bring any approval documentation or reference number on test day.
Personal items plan
Most centers do not allow phones, watches, notes, or study materials in the testing room; small lockers are typically provided. Confirm your center's rules and leave unnecessary valuables at home or in the car.
Calculator / scratch material expectations
The SPI includes some instrumentation calculations, so clarify ahead of time whether an on-screen calculator, physical calculator, or erasable note board is provided and what is prohibited. Do not bring your own calculator unless the provider confirms it is allowed.
Medications, glasses, and comfort items
Bring glasses/contact lens supplies and any medication you may need during the appointment. Tell the proctor about items you need to keep with you; some items may require inspection or approval.
Light one-page formula/concept review sheet
Use it only in the final days of study, never at the center. Focus on the relationships you are most likely to need (e.g., how frequency, period, wavelength, propagation speed, and attenuation relate; decibel and intensity relationships; axial and lateral resolution drivers).
Sleep, food, and hydration plan
Protect sleep in the 48 hours before the exam, eat a normal meal beforehand, and moderate caffeine so you are alert but not jittery during a long multiple-choice session.
Time-management plan
Know roughly how many questions and how much time you will have (confirm the exact format and time limit with the provider, as these details can change) and decide in advance how you will pace yourself and use flags.
Post-exam plan
Decide how you will receive results and what you will do if you need to retest. Confirm score-report timing, retake windows, and any waiting period with the provider rather than assuming.
Plan the day
Verify your appointment date, time, and location; confirm ID name match and any accommodation approvals. Switch from new material to consolidation: review your own summary sheet, redo missed practice questions, and stop studying new topics. Keep sleep and meal times steady.
Pack your ID and confirmation details, confirm the route and parking, set two alarms, and lay out clothes. Do a short, low-stress review of key relationships and image-formation concepts, then stop. Avoid cramming new material or a late night.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and leave with a generous buffer. Arrive early for check-in and security screening. Avoid last-minute studying in the parking lot, which tends to raise anxiety more than it helps. Use the restroom before you are seated.
Read each question completely, including qualifiers such as 'most likely' or 'except.' For calculation items, write down knowns, check units, and sanity-check the magnitude of your answer. Answer easier items first, flag and return to harder ones, and keep an eye on the clock so you are not rushed at the end. If the format allows, ensure every question is answered before time expires.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID; the name must match your registration. If it does not match, contact the provider before test day-do not expect the center to resolve it for you.
Arrive at or before your scheduled time. Late arrival can result in denial of entry and loss of your exam fee; confirm the exact late-arrival policy with the provider.
Expect a closed-book exam. Phones, watches, notes, and study materials are not permitted in the testing room; personal items are typically stored in a provided locker.
Breaks are usually available, but the clock generally does not stop during unscheduled breaks. Confirm break rules for your specific appointment and plan hydration accordingly.
Scores are reported as pass/fail based on a scaled score with a passing standard set by the credentialing body, not a simple percentage of correct answers. Confirm the current scoring and reporting details with the provider.
You will likely be asked to accept a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement covering exam content. Do not reproduce, discuss, or share specific exam questions afterward.
Accommodations and rescheduling generally must be arranged in advance through the provider and may involve fees or time windows. Confirm deadlines and costs before making any changes.
If you are unsure whether something is permitted-calculator, notes, extra ID, medical items-ask the provider before test day rather than assuming the proctor will allow it.