C-AA exam-day guide
C-AA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The name on the ID must match your registration record exactly, including middle names and suffixes. Accepted ID types vary by provider and by country, so confirm the specific list with the provider in advance. [needs_review]
Appointment confirmation and registration number
Have both the confirmation email (printed or saved offline on your phone) and your candidate/registration ID accessible. You may be asked for the registration number at check-in even if you have the email.
Confirmed test delivery format and location
Know whether you are sitting the exam at a test centre or online with a remote proctor, and the exact address or session link. Verify the address and travel time the day before, not on the morning. [needs_review]
System and equipment check (remote sittings)
Run the provider's equipment/system test on the same machine and network you will use on exam day: webcam, microphone, browser version, and bandwidth. Have a backup plan such as a phone hotspot. Requirements are provider-specific, so confirm them with the provider. [needs_review]
A quiet, private, well-lit room (remote sittings)
Clear the desk of everything except permitted items. Expect a 360-degree room scan and a desk-surface check at check-in. Inform household members not to enter or knock during the session.
Arrival or check-in time buffer
Plan to arrive or log in well ahead of your start time, because ID verification and rule acknowledgement take time. The exact check-in window and late-arrival cutoff are set by the provider, so confirm them. [needs_review]
Clarified rules on permitted ancillary items
Find out in advance whether scratch paper, a pen, a calculator, a basic on-screen calculator, or a break is allowed. Many certification exams prohibit all outside materials. Do not assume; confirm with the provider. [needs_review]
The current published content outline
Review the provider's exam blueprint or domain weighting one last time so your final revision matches the actual weighting rather than your memory of the course.
Logistics for the day
Route and transport plan, parking or transit fare, water and a snack for before or after the exam, and a charged phone. For remote sittings, substitute a charged laptop and power cable.
The candidate handbook
Skim the sections on scoring, score reporting timelines, retake limits, and rescheduling or cancellation deadlines before exam day so nothing surprises you afterwards. [needs_review]
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment in writing and resolve any mismatch between your registered name and your ID. If you are taking the exam remotely, do the equipment check on the same machine and network now, leaving time to fix problems. Spend the remaining study time on your two weakest blueprint domains plus a timed set of practice questions to rehearse pacing. Stop learning brand-new material; consolidate what you already know into a one- or two-page summary sheet. Settle travel and, for remote sittings, the room you will use.
Do a light pass over your summary sheet only, no new topics and no full-length practice exam. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Re-check the start time, time zone, and address or session link. For remote sittings, re-confirm that the room will be quiet and that nothing prohibited is on the desk. Set two alarms and aim for a full night's sleep; sleep is worth more than an extra hour of revision.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate, but avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it. Do not cram new material; at most skim your summary sheet for 10-15 minutes. Leave earlier than you think you need to. For remote sittings, log in early, close every other application, and silence your phone and any other device in the room before check-in begins. Keep your ID in hand for verification.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly, present your ID as requested, and read the rules acknowledgement before accepting it. Ask the proctor about anything unclear, such as how to request a break or how to report a technical problem, before the clock starts.
Read the instructions and note the total number of questions and the time limit, then compute your rough per-question pace. Answer the straightforward questions first and flag anything long or uncertain for review rather than stalling. Watch for absolute words such as 'always' and 'never' in options, and answer the question actually asked, not the one you expected. Reserve roughly the last 10 percent of the time to revisit flagged items and to confirm that nothing is left blank.
Note how and when your result will be reported and keep your completion confirmation. If you had a technical interruption, report it to the proctor before you log off and follow up in writing the same day.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document required by the provider, with a name that matches your registration exactly. The accepted document types and any secondary ID requirement are set by the provider, so confirm them in advance and do not rely on an alternative form of ID being accepted. [needs_review]
Do not bring or use any unauthorised material or device during the exam: notes, phones, smart watches, second screens, or any communication tool. If you are unsure whether an item counts as permitted, treat it as prohibited and ask the provider beforehand. [needs_review]
Confirm the break policy with the provider before exam day. Depending on the exam, breaks may be scheduled at set points, available on request, or unavailable, and the clock may or may not stop during a break. [needs_review]
Confirm the scoring model with the provider. Find out whether unanswered questions or incorrect answers are penalised, because that determines whether guessing is worthwhile at the end of the section. [needs_review]
Do not communicate with anyone but the proctor during the session, and do not attempt to capture, reproduce, or share exam content. Rule breaches can void your result and may affect eligibility for future attempts under the provider's policy.
If equipment or software fails during a remote sitting, stop and contact the proctor immediately rather than troubleshooting alone. Follow the provider's documented incident procedure and keep a record of the time, the error, and any case reference. [needs_review]
Rescheduling, cancellation, and retake rules, including deadlines and fees, are provider-specific. Check them in the candidate handbook before exam day rather than assuming you can move the appointment at short notice. [needs_review]