ASTTBC PPE exam-day guide
ASTTBC PPE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document, not a photocopy or phone image. The name on it should match the name on your application. Accepted ID types and any second-ID requirement vary by testing centre, so confirm the exact list with the provider before test day.
Appointment or admission confirmation
Have the confirmation email or letter (printed or on your phone) showing your test date, time, and location. This also gives you the provider's contact number in case of delay.
Approved calculator
If the exam permits a calculator, bring a model that matches the provider's approved list. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are supplied, permitted, or prohibited, and whether programmable models are excluded.
Writing materials
Bring a couple of pens or pencils and scrap paper only if the provider allows them; many computer-based centres supply these and prohibit outside items. Confirm the policy with the provider.
Directions, parking, and transit plan
Know the street address, the building entrance, and where to park or which stop to use. Aim to arrive well before your reporting time so a transit delay does not become a missed exam.
Provider contact number and test-day procedures
Save the provider's phone number and note their instructions for late arrival, rescheduling, and what happens if you are turned away. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on memory.
Personal comfort items that comply with the rules
Bring water or a snack only if the provider allows them in or near the testing room. Dress in layers, since room temperature varies and you may not be able to leave to adjust it.
Leave prohibited items at home or in the car
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are commonly restricted in the testing room. Confirm the provider's list of prohibited items and where you can securely store anything you must bring.
Rest and study plan for the final days
Use the last three days for light review of formulas, code references, and common calculation errors rather than new material. Protect your sleep in the two nights before the exam.
A plan for questions you cannot answer
Decide in advance how long you will spend on a hard question before flagging it and moving on. Practise this pacing on a timed practice set so the habit is automatic on test day.
Confirm exam format and permitted references
Ask the provider whether the exam is computer-based or paper, how many questions and how much time, and whether any code book or reference material is supplied. Do not assume.
Scratch-paper and review strategy
If scratch paper is allowed, plan to write down key formulas or unit conversions at the start so you are not recalling them under pressure. Confirm with the provider that this is permitted.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's admission instructions and confirm the date, time, address, and ID requirements. Take one timed practice set under exam-like conditions, then review only the topics you got wrong. Stop learning new material. Confirm your travel plan and, if you are driving, check parking availability and any construction or event that could affect traffic.
Do a light review of formula sheets, unit conversions, and code references you are permitted to use. Pack your ID, confirmation, approved calculator, and any permitted comfort items in one place. Set two alarms. Avoid cramming late into the night; sleep is more valuable than one more hour of review. Check the provider's website or phone line for any last-minute changes to the schedule.
Eat a normal meal and arrive at the site with time to spare before your reporting time. Leave prohibited items in the car or at home. Use the washroom before you are seated. If you are delayed, call the provider's number immediately rather than arriving late without notice.
Present your ID and confirmation, follow the proctor's instructions for storing belongings, and listen for the rules briefing. Ask the proctor about anything unclear, such as scratch paper, calculator use, or how to flag a question, before the clock starts.
Read each question fully and note what it is actually asking before calculating. Do the straightforward questions first, flag long or uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the time at intervals so you leave enough minutes to review flagged items and check that every question is answered if there is no penalty for guessing. Confirm the provider's guessing and scoring policy in advance.
Follow the provider's instructions on leaving the room and retrieving belongings. Note any result-release date or next-step instructions they give you. Do not discuss specific exam content with other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring original government-issued photo ID with a name matching your application. The exact accepted documents and any second-ID rule vary by provider, so confirm with the provider before test day.
Arrive before your reporting time. Late-arrival and admission-cutoff rules differ between centres, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed and call them immediately if you are.
Follow the proctor's instructions on prohibited items. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are commonly restricted in the testing room; confirm the provider's list and storage arrangements.
Use only reference material and calculators that the provider expressly permits. Confirm in advance whether a code book is supplied and whether any calculator is allowed.
Take breaks only as the provider allows. Some exams have no scheduled breaks and require permission to leave the room; confirm the break policy and what identification or sign-out procedure applies.
Direct any question about a defective question, a technical problem, or an ambiguous item to the proctor during the exam rather than after. Report computer or equipment faults immediately so they are documented.
Scoring, pass marks, and whether unanswered questions count against you are set by the provider. Confirm the scoring and guessing policy with the provider rather than assuming.
Keep exam content confidential. Do not copy, photograph, or share questions, and do not communicate with other candidates during the test.