MB-260 exam-day guide
MB-260 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used for your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; do not assume a photocopy or digital copy will work.
Appointment confirmation and access details
Have your registration confirmation, appointment time, and testing-center or online-proctoring access instructions saved offline. Confirm with the provider the exact check-in window and any confirmation number they require.
Testing environment prepared (online delivery)
If testing remotely, use a private room with a stable wired or strong connection, a working webcam and microphone, and a clear desk. Confirm with the provider the room, camera, and desk-clearance rules before test day.
Supported computer and browser ready
Run any system or equipment check the provider offers well before the appointment and update the browser if needed. Do not install unapproved software; confirm with the provider which tools are permitted during the exam.
Allowed items only on the desk
Keep only items the provider explicitly permits (for example, approved scratch materials or a basic calculator if allowed). Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, pens, calculators, or reference material are allowed for this exam.
Personal items stowed
Plan where your phone, smartwatch, notes, and bags will go; most programs require them out of reach or in a locker. Confirm with the provider the storage rules and whether a phone must be fully powered off.
Break and timing plan
Know the appointment length and whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks exist. Confirm with the provider the break policy, since leaving the camera view or desk during an online exam may be restricted.
Accessibility or accommodation arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time or other accommodations, verify approval and how it is applied in the delivery platform. Confirm with the provider the deadline and process; accommodations are usually not granted on test day.
Scoring and results expectations understood
Know the passing score or scale and when results are released. Confirm with the provider the current passing score, score report timing, and retake policy rather than relying on secondhand information.
Rest, hydration, and logistics plan
Plan travel time or a quiet start for a remote exam, eat beforehand, and aim for normal sleep. Arrive or log in early; confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled.
Exam-day contact information saved
Save the provider's support or scheduling contact in case of technical failure or check-in problems. Confirm with the provider the correct support channel and any incident-reporting steps.
Review of exam structure, not new content
Skim only high-level topic outlines and your own summary notes in the final hours. Confirm with the provider the current exam outline and question formats from official sources.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidation. Review your own summary sheets and the official skills outline, and list weak areas you can still fix. Take at most one timed practice set to check pacing, then stop adding new resources. Verify your appointment details, ID, and delivery method, and confirm with the provider any rules you are unsure about, such as allowed items or break policy. Protect sleep and avoid all-night study.
Do a light pass over key concepts and formulas rather than full practice exams. Prepare and lay out your ID, confirmation details, and permitted items. For a remote exam, run the equipment check, charge devices, and clear your desk; for a test center, confirm the address, parking, and travel time. Note the check-in window and set two alarms. Stop studying several hours before bed and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Recheck your ID, confirmation, and permitted items, and log in or arrive with buffer time before the appointment. Close unrelated applications and silence notifications for a remote exam, or stow your phone for a center exam. Skim only a one-page summary; do not attempt new topics. If a technical or check-in problem occurs, contact provider support immediately and follow their instructions.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'best', 'first', or 'not'. Answer straightforward items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them; commit to an answer on every item unless the exam penalizes guessing, which you should confirm with the provider. Track time against the number of remaining questions and leave a margin for review. Use breaks only as permitted, and if a technical issue interrupts you, note the time and contact support per the provider's process rather than troubleshooting alone.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired identification in the exact name used for registration; confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted and what to do if your name differs slightly.
Follow all proctor instructions and permitted-item rules; unauthorized materials, devices, or notes on the desk can lead to invalidation, so confirm with the provider what is allowed before test day.
Do not communicate with others, capture or share exam content, or use unapproved tools during the exam; these are typically treated as misconduct, and consequences should be confirmed with the provider.
Understand the break policy before starting, since rules on leaving the camera view, desk, or room differ by delivery method; confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or unavailable.
Know the scoring scale and passing score from official provider sources, and do not assume a guessed-answer penalty or partial credit unless the provider confirms it.
Report technical failures or rule disputes to provider support immediately and follow their documentation steps; confirm with the provider the process and any deadlines for filing an incident.
Verify rescheduling, cancellation, and retake policies in advance, including any fees or waiting periods; confirm with the provider the current terms rather than relying on older information.
Keep your registration confirmation and score report accessible after the exam, and confirm with the provider how and when official results are delivered.