ASTTBC Tech Exam exam-day guide
ASTTBC Tech Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID you used when registering, with a signature and photo. The name must match your registration exactly. If you have any doubt about which ID forms are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Admission or confirmation document
Print or download your appointment confirmation, candidate number, and test-centre address. Some centres require the confirmation letter at check-in; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Know your test format and allowed references
Confirm with the provider in advance whether the exam is open-book, whether any code books or formula sheets are supplied on screen or in print, and whether personal reference materials are permitted. Do not assume; the rules vary by sitting.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are allowed and whether a basic on-screen calculator is provided. If a personal calculator is allowed, bring a familiar, non-programmable model with fresh batteries and check it the night before.
Writing materials
Bring two pencils or pens and scrap paper only if the provider permits them; many computer-based centres supply laminated note boards and markers and prohibit outside paper. Confirm the policy with the provider and leave prohibited items at home.
Arrive early
Plan to reach the test centre well before your scheduled start, allowing time for traffic, parking, and security screening. Aim for the arrival window stated in your confirmation; if none is stated, confirm the recommended arrival time with the provider.
Review the candidate handbook
Read the current candidate handbook or exam guide for your specific certification level. It is the authoritative source for format, duration, number of questions, pass mark, and permitted aids. If you cannot find it, request it from the provider.
Personal needs plan
If you need accommodations (extra time, a separate room, medical breaks), confirm with the provider that approval is in place and documented before test day. Accommodation requests are usually handled well in advance, not on arrival.
Leave prohibited items behind
Phones, smart watches, fitness trackers, earbuds, notes, and bags are typically not allowed in the testing room. Confirm with the provider where personal items can be stored, and plan to travel light.
Rest and logistics plan
Confirm the exact address, parking or transit route, and start time the day before. Get a normal night's sleep rather than cramming; fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of review.
Medical and comfort items
Bring water, a light snack for before or after the test, and any medication you may need. Confirm with the provider whether food, drink, or medication can be taken into the testing room or only during breaks.
Contact details for the provider
Save the provider's phone number and email in case of a delay, illness, or centre problem. Know the policy on rescheduling or cancellation fees; confirm the specifics with the provider rather than relying on memory.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, formula lists, and a small set of practice questions, focusing on the topics you have repeatedly missed. Re-read the candidate handbook section on test-day rules and permitted aids. Confirm your appointment time, centre address, and travel plan, and check that your ID is valid and matches your registration name. Gather everything on the checklist into one bag. Protect your sleep schedule: keep bed and wake times steady rather than studying late.
Do one short, low-stakes review session in the morning, then stop. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Lay out comfortable clothing in layers, since testing rooms can be cold or warm. Eat familiar meals and avoid heavy caffeine after midday. Set two alarms and check the weather and transit advisories. Confirm with the provider if you have any last question about arrival time or permitted items. Go to bed at your normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the centre within the recommended window, with ID and confirmation in hand. Use the washroom before check-in. Keep conversation with other candidates light and avoid last-minute group debate about answers, which raises anxiety without adding knowledge. Follow staff instructions for storage of personal items and security screening.
Read the instructions and any tutorial screens carefully, and note how to flag questions and how to move between sections. Do a first pass answering the questions you know, flagging long or uncertain ones. Watch the clock against the number of questions remaining, and leave time to return to flagged items. Read each question stem fully, watching for words like 'not', 'best', and 'minimum'. If a question is truly unanswerable, make a reasoned choice rather than leaving it blank, unless the format penalises wrong answers; confirm the guessing policy with the provider beforehand. Use scheduled breaks to stand, drink water, and reset, and return promptly.
Rules to check
Bring valid government-issued photo ID with a signature; the name must match your registration. If your ID is expired, damaged, or under a different name, contact the provider before test day, as admission may be refused.
Arrive within the stated arrival window. Candidates who arrive after the start time may be refused entry or admitted with reduced time; the exact late-arrival policy varies, so confirm it with the provider in advance.
Leave phones, smart watches, earbuds, notes, and bags outside the testing room as directed. Unauthorised materials or devices on your person during the test may lead to removal or invalidation of your result.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and proctors. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not attempt to copy, photograph, or record any question or answer; exam content is confidential.
Breaks are generally taken at scheduled points and may be monitored; you may be required to sign out and back in, and unscheduled breaks may not be permitted. Confirm the break policy for your sitting with the provider.
Scoring and the pass mark are set by the provider and may be based on a scaled or criterion-referenced method rather than a simple raw count. Confirm the current pass standard and result timeline with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
If you feel unwell or experience a technical problem during the test, raise your hand and tell the invigilator immediately; do not attempt to fix equipment yourself. Report issues before leaving the centre.
Understand the provider's policy on rescheduling, cancellation, and misconduct before test day, and keep your confirmation documents until results are issued.