CASA IREX exam-day guide
CASA IREX · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification the testing provider requires (typically a current passport or driver's license). The name must match your registration. Confirm accepted ID types and name-matching rules with the provider before test day.
Confirmation or admission document
Carry your appointment confirmation, registration number, and any admission letter the provider issues. Some centers require a printed copy; confirm whether digital copies are accepted.
Know your test center and route
Look up the exact address, building entrance, and parking or transit options in advance. Do a dry run or map the route so you know travel time and where to check in.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to arrive well before your scheduled start; late arrivals may be refused entry. The exact cut-off is provider-specific, so confirm the required arrival time with the provider.
Approved calculator or reference materials, if permitted
Check the provider's list of allowed and prohibited items. Do not assume a calculator, notes, or formula sheets are allowed; confirm the permitted model and rules with the provider.
Personal items plan
Most centers restrict bags, phones, and watches to a locker or prohibit them entirely. Know what you can bring and where you will store valuables.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Sleep well the night before, eat a normal meal, and bring water or a snack only if the provider allows it. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are sensitive to it.
Review logistics for breaks and timing
Confirm whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are allowed, how the clock is paused or not paused, and how many questions or sections you will face. These details are provider-specific.
Scoring and results expectations
Understand how the exam is scored (for example, pass/fail or scaled score) and when and how results are released. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on rumor.
Backup plan for delays
Have a contact number for the test center and a plan for traffic, weather, or transit disruptions. If you cannot attend, know the reschedule or cancellation policy in advance.
Emergency contact and medication
If you need medication or accommodations, arrange approval with the provider ahead of time and carry only what is permitted. Confirm the accommodation process well before test day.
Physical comfort items
Dress in layers, since room temperature varies, and wear comfortable clothing. Avoid items that might set off security screening or violate the dress code.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material and shift to consolidation. Review your summary notes, formula sheet, and a small set of high-yield weak spots. Take one timed practice set under realistic conditions to check pacing, then review errors rather than scores. Confirm your appointment time, address, ID requirements, and allowed-items list with the provider. Prepare your bag and documents, check the weather and route, and protect your sleep schedule. Avoid cramming late into the night.
Do a light review only: skim key frameworks and your personal error log. Lay out ID, confirmation, and any approved materials by the door. Charge devices you will rely on for travel, but remember phones are usually not allowed in the testing room. Eat familiar food, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a normal hour. Reconfirm the arrival time and any check-in instructions. Set two alarms.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Leave extra travel time and arrive early. Keep conversation with other candidates calm and avoid last-minute debate about answers, which raises anxiety. At check-in, follow staff instructions, store prohibited items, and use the restroom before the exam begins. Take a few slow breaths and settle in before the clock starts.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'best', 'first', or 'except'. Answer easier questions first if the interface allows navigation, and flag uncertain items to revisit. Keep an eye on the clock and allocate time by section rather than obsessing over one item. Use scratch materials only if permitted. If you feel stuck, breathe, move on, and return. Before submitting, check for unanswered questions and confirm you have not missed a section.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider requires, with a name matching your registration. If your ID name differs, contact the provider before test day; do not assume a secondary document will be accepted.
Arrive by the required check-in time. Late arrival may mean refused entry or forfeiture of fees; the exact cut-off and consequences are provider-specific, so confirm them in advance.
Leave prohibited items such as phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags at home or in designated storage. Unauthorized materials in the testing room can lead to dismissal or score cancellation.
Follow all instructions from proctors and the testing interface. Do not communicate with other candidates, copy questions, or attempt to record exam content; misconduct can void your results.
Use breaks only as the provider permits. Know whether the clock runs during breaks and whether you can leave the room; confirm these rules with the provider rather than guessing.
Understand the scoring and results process before you sit: what score is reported, how it is scaled, and when results are released. Confirm details with the provider.
If you need accommodations, request and confirm them well before test day through the provider's official process. Unapproved aids are not permitted in the testing room.
If illness or an emergency prevents attendance, contact the provider as soon as possible and ask about rescheduling. Do not assume a refund or transfer; confirm the policy with the provider.