ASFMRA AAC exam-day guide
ASFMRA AAC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current, unexpired photo ID matching the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether the name must match exactly.
Admission/confirmation document
Print or save your scheduling confirmation and any admission ticket the provider issues. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Approved calculator
Bring a calculator you are comfortable with for appraisal math (time value of money, ratios, income approaches). Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted and whether any are prohibited.
Know the test center logistics
Confirm the exact address, parking, and arrival time. Allow extra buffer for check-in and security. Confirm with the provider how early you should arrive.
Review the candidate handbook
Read the provider's current candidate handbook for scoring, retake, and testing-window rules. Do not rely on secondhand summaries; policies change.
Practice with the allowed reference materials
Confirm with the provider exactly what reference material (if any) is provided or permitted during the exam, and practice using only that.
Rest and hydration plan
Plan sleep and meals so you arrive rested. Bring water/snack only if the provider permits items in the testing room; confirm with the provider.
Scratch paper and pencil policy
Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper and writing instruments are supplied or prohibited; do not assume you may bring your own.
Personal items plan
Confirm with the provider where phones, watches, bags, and outerwear must be stored during the exam.
Backup transportation plan
Have a fallback route or contact in case of traffic or transit delays. Confirm with the provider the policy if you arrive late.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Review your weakest two or three areas (e.g., income capitalization, highest and best use, sales comparison adjustments) using your own notes. Re-read the candidate handbook for logistics and rules.
Do one timed practice set under exam-like conditions, then review every miss to understand the concept rather than memorizing the answer.
Confirm test center address, arrival time, ID requirements, and permitted calculator with the provider. Lay out ID, confirmation, and calculator in one place.
Light review only: skim formula sheets and key definitions. No new practice exams. Confirm transportation and set alarms.
Prepare clothes, ID, confirmation, calculator, and any permitted items. Check the provider's site for last-minute changes or cancellations.
Eat a normal meal, arrive with buffer time, and leave prohibited items in the car or at home. Do a final calm review of formulas only if it steadies you.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'most likely' or 'except.' Answer confident items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them.
Budget time across all questions; do not let one calculation consume the session. Show your setup on scratch paper if permitted so you can recheck.
Use breaks only as the provider allows. Before submitting, confirm you have answered every question and revisit flagged items.
Rules to check
Bring only the ID and materials the provider explicitly permits; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider before test day.
The name on your ID must match your registration. If your legal name differs, confirm with the provider in advance how to resolve it.
Phones, smartwatches, and other devices are typically prohibited in the testing room; confirm with the provider where they must be stored.
Breaks are generally governed by provider policy and may or may not stop the clock; confirm the break rules with the provider before you begin.
Scoring, passing thresholds, and retake rules are set by the provider and can change; verify current scoring and retake policy in the candidate handbook rather than relying on memory.
Do not discuss, record, or share exam content. Treat all questions as confidential per the provider's candidate agreement.
If a technical or personal issue arises during the exam, notify the proctor immediately and follow the provider's incident-reporting process.
Arrive by the provider's stated check-in time; confirm with the provider what happens if you are late or miss your appointment.