AFA exam-day guide
AFA · 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 forms of ID are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Have your appointment confirmation, candidate number, or authorization-to-test letter accessible, printed or on your phone. Confirm with the provider how you will be admitted.
Test-center location and route plan
Confirm the exact address, parking or transit options, and arrival time with the provider. Plan to arrive early enough to allow for check-in and security screening.
Approved calculator
Check the AFA exam provider's current calculator policy, including permitted models and whether a built-in or on-screen calculator is offered. Do not assume any model is allowed.
Permitted personal items only
Review the provider's list of what may be brought into the testing room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are commonly restricted; confirm storage arrangements with the provider.
Break plan and snacks
If breaks are offered, confirm the rules with the provider. Bring water and a light snack only if the provider permits them and storage is available.
Comfort items for a long sitting
Dress in layers and consider earplugs or other comfort items only if the provider explicitly allows them. Confirm with the provider before bringing anything not on the approved list.
Review of scoring and result timing
Know how the exam is scored and when results are released. Confirm with the provider whether you receive a preliminary score at the test center and how official results are delivered.
Rest and logistics the night before
Protect sleep, set two alarms, and prepare everything the night before so the morning is calm. Arrange transportation in advance if you are not driving.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's candidate-services number in case of delay, illness, or a testing-center issue. Confirm with the provider how to report a problem on exam day.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and error log; do short timed sets rather than full-length practice exams. Confirm your appointment time, test-center address, ID requirements, and calculator policy with the provider. Prepare clothing, ID, and confirmation in one place. Keep evenings light and protect sleep.
Do a final light review of high-yield facts and test-taking reminders, then stop studying early. Check travel time and any road or transit disruptions. Set alarms, charge devices, and pack your bag with only permitted items. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine or alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the test center with time to spare for check-in and security. Leave phones and unauthorized items in the car or designated storage. Use the restroom before entering the testing room. If you are running late, call the provider as soon as it is safe to do so.
Read each question stem carefully and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely' or 'except.' Answer straightforward questions first and flag time-consuming ones to revisit. Use scratch materials only as permitted. If breaks are allowed, take them according to the provider's rules and return promptly. Keep an eye on the clock but avoid checking it after every question. If a technical problem occurs, raise your hand and notify the proctor immediately.
Rules to check
Bring the exact original ID required by the provider. A photocopy, expired document, or a name mismatch with your registration may result in being turned away; confirm accepted ID forms with the provider before exam day.
Follow all test-center security rules. Unauthorized materials, phones, smart watches, and notes are generally prohibited in the testing room; confirm permitted items and storage options with the provider.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules. Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock runs during breaks, and what you may access during them.
Scoring and result reporting are set by the provider. Confirm how the exam is scored, whether a preliminary score is shown at the test center, and how and when official results are released.
If you need to reschedule, arrive late, or become ill, contact the provider as soon as possible. Rescheduling, cancellation, and refund policies vary, so confirm the terms with the provider rather than assuming.
Maintain academic integrity. Do not attempt to record, share, or discuss exam content, and follow the proctor's instructions at all times; misconduct can lead to score cancellation.
Use only approved calculators and reference materials. Confirm the current policy with the provider, including permitted models and whether an on-screen calculator is provided.
If a technical or personal issue arises during the test, notify the proctor immediately and ask the provider afterward about incident reporting and next steps.