CHWS exam-day guide
CHWS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered under. If your name changed or your registration name differs slightly, confirm with the provider in advance what documentation is accepted.
Confirmation and scheduling notice
Print or save the appointment confirmation showing your test date, time, and location or remote-proctoring link. Verify the start time in your local time zone, especially if you are testing across a time-zone boundary.
Login and account credentials
If testing remotely, confirm your username and password work before test day and keep them written down somewhere private. Password resets on test morning waste time and add stress.
Approved calculator or scratch materials
CHWS items are primarily knowledge-based, but confirm with the provider whether any calculator, scratch paper, or pen is permitted, and whether the testing site supplies them. Do not assume; ask.
Quiet, private, well-lit testing space (remote)
For remote proctoring, clear the desk, remove phones and smart devices from reach, and check that your webcam and microphone work. Confirm with the provider which room conditions and background requirements apply.
System and equipment check (remote)
Run any required equipment or browser check at least a day ahead. Have a backup plan such as a phone hotspot or an alternate device in case your primary connection fails.
Knowledge of the test format
Confirm with the provider the number of items, time limit, question format, and whether sections are timed separately. Knowing the structure prevents surprises and helps you pace.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Sleep adequately for two nights before the exam, eat a normal meal beforehand, and bring water only if the provider permits it at your seat. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are sensitive to it.
Arrival buffer or early login
Arrive at the site or log in well before your appointment, allowing extra time for check-in, ID verification, and security screening. Late arrival policies vary, so confirm with the provider.
Transportation and logistics
Confirm parking, transit routes, and the building entrance in advance. For a remote test, tell household members your testing window so interruptions are avoided.
Reviewed summary notes only
In the final day, review condensed notes on high-yield topics rather than starting new material. Cramming new content the night before tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Plan for the unexpected
Know who to contact and how to report a technical failure or illness. Confirm with the provider the procedure and any documentation required for rescheduling or an incident report.
Plan the day
Shift from broad study to consolidation. Review your own summary sheets on core community health worker domains such as outreach and engagement, cultural humility and health equity, care coordination and referral, health education and behavior change, documentation and confidentiality, and scope-of-practice boundaries. Take one or two timed practice sets to rehearse pacing, then review only the missed items. Stop introducing unfamiliar resources. Confirm your appointment details, ID, and testing location or remote link. Protect sleep starting now, since one short night before the exam hurts more than an extra hour of review helps.
Do a light, final pass over your condensed notes, focusing on frameworks and terms rather than details. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted materials in one place. For remote testing, run the equipment check and tidy the testing space. Set two alarms. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. If anxiety spikes, write down your top worries and one practical response to each, then set the list aside.
Eat a regular meal, hydrate moderately, and avoid experimenting with new caffeine levels. Dress in layers so you can adjust to room temperature. Arrive early or log in early, complete ID verification calmly, and read all instructions on screen. Use any provided tutorial or practice item to get comfortable with the interface. If something goes wrong with check-in, stay calm and contact the proctor or provider help line rather than troubleshooting alone.
Read each item fully, including words like except, best, first, and most appropriate, which change the answer. Answer the items you know first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the format allows. For scenario items about a client, choose the option that respects scope of practice, client autonomy, confidentiality, and appropriate escalation. Eliminate clearly wrong choices before selecting. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve time to review flagged items. If a technical problem occurs, note the time and notify the proctor immediately.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name. If your documents differ from your registration, confirm with the provider before test day what is acceptable, since rules on name changes and alternate IDs vary.
Follow all proctor instructions and testing-site or remote-environment rules. Do not bring unauthorized materials, notes, or electronic devices into the testing area, and confirm with the provider what is permitted at your seat.
Breaks and their timing are set by the provider and may differ between in-person and remote formats. Confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or counted against your time, and whether you may leave the testing area.
Scoring and passing standards are set by the certifying body. Confirm with the provider the passing score, whether items are weighted, how unanswered items are treated, and when results are released. Do not rely on secondhand claims about the cut score.
Do not attempt to record, copy, photograph, or share exam content. Sharing or reproducing items violates testing integrity rules and can void your result; treat all exam content as confidential.
If you experience a technical failure, illness, or other emergency, stop and notify the proctor or provider as directed. Confirm with the provider the procedure for documenting an incident and whether rescheduling options apply.
Answer every item if the format does not penalize guessing. Confirm with the provider whether incorrect answers reduce your score, and use remaining time to review flagged items rather than leaving blanks by default.
Arrive or log in on time. Late-arrival and rescheduling policies vary, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed and whether a fee applies.