AU-M exam-day guide
AU-M · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Confirmation or scheduling notice
Keep your appointment confirmation, candidate ID number, and the provider's contact details accessible in case of check-in problems. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Appointment time and arrival buffer
Note your start time and plan to arrive well before it; the amount of extra time needed varies by provider, so confirm the recommended arrival window with the provider.
Test-center or online-proctoring logistics
If testing in person, confirm the address, parking, and building access. If testing remotely, confirm the platform, system check requirements, and room rules with the provider.
Approved calculator or reference materials
Confirm with the provider whether any calculator, formula sheet, or reference material is permitted, and which models or formats are allowed. Do not assume a policy from another exam applies.
Acceptable writing materials
Many providers supply scratch paper or an erasable board and prohibit bringing your own. Confirm with the provider what is supplied and what is banned.
Personal items plan
Plan where your phone, watch, bag, and notes will go. Most providers restrict or store personal items during the test; confirm the specific rules with the provider.
Break and timing plan
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops during breaks, and what access to water or restrooms is allowed.
Scoring and results information
Know how the exam is scored and when results are released; confirm the current scoring method and reporting timeline with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Rest and logistics the day before
Protect sleep, eat normally, and lay out ID, confirmation, and travel details the night before. Avoid last-minute cramming that displaces rest.
Arrival plan with a backup
Identify a backup route or contact in case of transport problems, and know the provider's policy on late arrival, which may affect admission. Confirm that policy with the provider.
Accessibility or special arrangements
If you have approved accommodations, confirm the arrangements and any check-in steps with the provider in advance and bring any required documentation.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating what you know. Review your own summary notes, error log, and the highest-yield areas, and do a small number of timed practice sets to keep pacing sharp without exhausting yourself. Confirm appointment details, ID requirements, and travel or system-check logistics with the provider. Stop heavy study early enough to sleep well for the last two nights.
Do a light review only: key definitions, common pitfalls, and your pacing plan. Pack or lay out your ID, confirmation, and any approved items, and check the test-center route or run the remote-proctoring system check. Confirm with the provider what is and is not allowed in the testing room. Set two alarms, eat a normal meal, and prioritize sleep over extra review.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine to your usual amount. Arrive with your ID and confirmation, leaving the buffer you planned. Avoid discussing content with other candidates and avoid last-minute cramming in the waiting area, which tends to raise anxiety more than it adds knowledge. If testing remotely, close other applications, clear your workspace, and start the check-in early.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'best,' 'except,' and 'most likely.' Answer what the question asks rather than what you wish it asked. Flag uncertain items and move on so you do not lose time to one hard question. Use any scheduled breaks as intended, and check the clock at planned intervals rather than constantly. Before submitting, review flagged items and confirm no question is left blank unless the scoring rules penalize guessing, which you should confirm with the provider.
Rules to check
Follow all check-in and identity-verification procedures. Bring the ID type the provider requires and present it when asked; confirm accepted ID types with the provider in advance.
Do not bring or use unauthorized materials, devices, or notes in the testing room. Confirm with the provider what is permitted, including calculators, watches, phones, and scratch paper.
Keep communication with other candidates to a minimum around the test and do not share, request, or discuss specific exam content. Exam-content confidentiality terms are set by the provider; confirm them with the provider.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks, leaving the room, and access to personal items. Whether the clock runs during breaks and what you may access varies, so confirm with the provider.
Understand the scoring method before test day. Whether unanswered questions or incorrect answers affect your score depends on the exam's scoring rules; confirm the current policy with the provider.
Report any technical problem, distraction, or irregularity to the proctor immediately rather than trying to resolve it yourself. Note the time and nature of the issue in case you need to follow up.
If you test remotely, follow the room and environment rules, keep your workspace clear, and stay within camera view as instructed. Confirm the specific requirements with the provider.
If you are late, ill, or unable to test, contact the provider as soon as possible. Rescheduling, refund, and late-admission policies vary, so confirm the terms with the provider rather than assuming.