RECA Exam exam-day guide
RECA Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original (not a photocopy or phone photo) of a valid, unexpired government-issued ID that carries your photo and signature. The name on the ID must match the name on your registration exactly. If you have a preferred name, a recent name change, or a hyphenation difference on file, contact the exam provider before exam day to correct it - proctors can and do turn away mismatched names.
Exam confirmation / appointment details
Have your registration confirmation ready with the exam date, start time, time zone, test-centre address or remote-proctoring launch link, and your candidate/registration number. Screenshot it and also keep it in email in case the platform is slow to load on the day.
Confirmed delivery format
Confirm in writing whether your sitting is at a physical test centre or remotely proctored, and what check-in steps apply. Delivery format and check-in windows are set by the provider and can differ between sittings - confirm with the provider rather than relying on what another candidate experienced.
Equipment test (remote sittings)
If you are writing remotely, run the provider's system check on the same computer, camera, microphone and network you will use on exam day, and repeat it the day before. Confirm supported browsers, whether a lockdown browser is required, and whether an external monitor or second screen is prohibited. Confirm the specific technical requirements with the provider.
Private, quiet, well-lit room
For remote sittings, arrange a private room with a closed door, a cleared desk, reliable lighting and no interruptions from housemates, pets or deliveries. Expect a room scan and desk check during check-in, and know that some providers prohibit writing in a room with glass walls or in public spaces. Confirm the room requirements with the provider.
Calculator and reference-material policy
Confirm whether any calculator is permitted (and which models), whether a basic on-screen calculator is supplied, and whether formula sheets or reference tables appear in the exam. Do not assume: policy on calculators and permitted aids varies and is set by the provider.
Permitted personal items
Plan for water in a clear container, a light snack if breaks allow, any necessary medication, and a layer for temperature control. Confirm which of these may be at your desk versus stored away, and note that many centres require phones and watches to be switched off and stored outside the testing room.
Arrival / check-in buffer
Arrive or log in early enough to absorb delays. For in-person sittings, plan to be at the centre well ahead of your appointment; for remote sittings, start the check-in process before your scheduled time so that ID verification and the room scan do not eat into your writing time. Confirm the exact recommended arrival window with the provider.
Backup logistics
Know your route, parking or transit, and the provider's contact number for exam-day issues. Charge your phone, keep it accessible before check-in, and have a plan for a flat tire, transit delay or internet outage (for example, a mobile hotspot or a nearby backup location).
One-page summary sheet (for pre-exam review only)
Prepare a single page of your weakest formulas, timelines and definitions. Use it in the final 24 hours instead of re-reading whole chapters, and leave it behind - it cannot go into the testing room.
Pacing plan
Work out roughly how many seconds or minutes per question you can afford, based on the number of questions and the time limit listed in your exam information. Write the halfway-point target time on your scratch paper at the start so you can check your pace.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam blueprint or syllabus and note the topic weightings. Spend the remaining study time in proportion to those weightings rather than on comfortable topics.
Take one full-length timed practice set under realistic conditions - no notes, no phone, same time of day as your real sitting. Then spend more time reviewing your errors than on the practice itself.
Lock down logistics: confirm the appointment time and location or platform, check that your ID is valid and the name matches, and verify any equipment you need. Resolve problems now, not on exam morning.
Stop learning brand-new material. Shift to consolidating what you already know, and begin moving your sleep and wake times toward an exam-day schedule.
Do light review only, using your one-page summary. No new chapters, no marathon practice sets - late cramming tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Pack and stage: ID, confirmation, water, snack, medication, sweater, and any permitted items in one place. If writing remotely, clear your desk, run the system check once more, charge all devices, and test your internet.
Confirm travel time or log-in time and check the provider's site for service notices or changes to your sitting. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour - sleep is worth more than an extra hour of review.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate. Glance at your summary sheet only if it calms you; otherwise leave it. Avoid discussing exam content or comparing preparation with other candidates.
Begin check-in early. Have your ID in hand, close all other applications, silence and store your phone, clear your desk, and follow the proctor's instructions during ID verification and the room scan.
Read every question stem to the end and watch for qualifiers such as EXCEPT, BEST, MOST likely, or NOT. Predict the answer before reading the options when you can, then choose the best fit.
Work in passes: answer the straightforward questions first, flag anything long or unfamiliar, and return to flagged items after reaching the halfway mark. Check your pace against your target time at each quarter.
Leave nothing blank unless the provider states there is a penalty for guessing - confirm the guessing rule in advance. If you must guess, eliminate options first, then commit.
Do not change an answer unless you can point to a specific word in the question that you misread. Anxiety-driven second-guessing is usually a net loss.
If anything technical goes wrong, stop and contact the proctor immediately, note the time, and ask for a case or ticket number. Do not troubleshoot alone - undocumented interruptions are hard to remedy afterwards.
Rules to check
Identification: you must present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with your signature, and the name must match your registration. If your documents do not match, contact the provider before exam day to correct the record; do not expect the proctor to resolve it at the door.
Closed-book conduct: assume no notes, textbooks, phones, smart watches, earbuds or unauthorised aids are permitted at your desk, and that access to unauthorised material can void your attempt. The definitive list of what is allowed in your sitting is set by the provider - confirm it in writing.
Academic integrity: write alone. No collaboration, no screen sharing, no messaging, and no use of AI assistants or search engines during the exam. Most licensing exams also require you to keep exam content confidential afterwards; confirm the exact wording in your candidate agreement.
Breaks: confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted, whether they are scheduled, and whether the clock stops during them. Unless you have been told otherwise in writing, assume the timer keeps running.
Scoring and results: the passing standard, scoring method and results release date are set by the regulator or its provider, not by your course provider or by other candidates' reports. Confirm the current standard and timeline directly with the provider before you sit.
Retakes and attempt limits: policies on the number of attempts, waiting periods between sittings and any required remediation differ and change over time. Confirm with the provider rather than planning around second-hand information.
Reporting problems: if you experience a technical failure, an interruption, or a suspected error in a question, report it to the proctor or provider on the day and obtain a reference number. Follow up in writing promptly, since remedies usually depend on a documented, contemporaneous report.
After the exam: do not sign out or leave the testing area until the exam has been submitted and you have seen confirmation that it was received. If you are writing remotely, keep the proctoring session open until the proctor formally releases you.