CAFCA exam-day guide
CAFCA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical ID (not a photocopy). Make sure the name matches your exam registration exactly, including middle names and suffixes. Accepted ID types vary by provider and test-center vs. online delivery, so confirm the approved list with the provider before exam day.
Appointment confirmation / registration number
Have your confirmation email, appointment number, or admission letter saved both on your phone and printed. You may be asked for it at check-in.
Testing-platform login credentials
Confirm your username and password work 48-72 hours ahead. If the platform uses two-factor authentication, verify you will have your phone or authenticator app available at check-in.
Computer and equipment check (if testing online)
Run the provider's system test on the same machine and network you will use: webcam, microphone, speakers, browser version, and firewall settings. Confirm with the provider whether online proctoring is offered for this exam and what the minimum system requirements are.
Quiet, private, well-lit room (if testing online)
Use a closed room with a clear desk, no other people, and a door you can close. Remove papers, notes, second screens, and wall charts from the camera's view. The proctor may require a 360-degree room scan.
Reliable internet connection plus backup
Wired or strong Wi-Fi, with a mobile hotspot as fallback. Have the provider's technical support number written down in case the connection drops.
Permitted test aids (calculator, scratch paper, pen)
Many certification exams prohibit all personal items or supply scratch materials at the desk. Check the permitted-materials list for this specific exam and bring only what is explicitly allowed.
Water and a light snack
Useful if a scheduled break is permitted. Confirm the break policy in advance, since some providers do not allow food, drink, or leaving the testing area once the exam has started.
Plan for phones and wearables
Expect to switch off and store your phone, smartwatch, and any other device. Do not keep them on your person or within reach during the exam.
Travel or check-in logistics
Note the test-center address, parking, and realistic travel time, or your online check-in time converted to your local time zone. Plan to arrive or log in early.
Provider support contacts
Save the test-center phone number and the provider's candidate-services contact in case of a last-minute problem with the appointment validity, ID, or technology.
Review of the exam instructions and scoring summary
Re-read the candidate handbook sections on exam format, number of questions, time allowed, and how and when results are released, so nothing at the desk is a surprise.
Plan the day
Reconfirm the appointment date, start time, and time zone. Verify your ID name matches the registration; if it does not, contact the provider immediately, as correction deadlines are usually short. Note the reschedule/cancellation deadline in case something goes wrong.
Finish substantive study: one or two focused passes over your weak areas and summary sheets, then stop adding new material. Protect sleep from this point on rather than adding late-night cramming.
If testing online, complete the full system and equipment test. If testing in person, confirm the route, parking, and arrival time. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one bag. Lay out clothes and set two alarms.
Light review only: skim your own summary notes and the exam format, not new topics. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate. Do a final 10-minute skim of key formulas or frameworks only if it calms you; otherwise skip it. Log in or arrive early enough to absorb check-in delays without stress.
Have your ID and confirmation ready, follow the proctor's instructions exactly, and complete any room scan or identity verification without rushing. Raise technical issues with the proctor before the timer starts, not after.
Read the instructions and note the number of questions and total time, then set a rough pace (minutes per question). Answer easier questions first, flag long or uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock at the halfway and three-quarter marks. Only change an answer if you have a clear reason.
If a break is permitted, take it only as scheduled and note whether the clock continues to run. If anything fails technically, stop and notify the proctor immediately, and record a case or ticket number.
Note how and when results will be released and what the next step is if you do not pass the first attempt. Do not discuss or reproduce exam content with anyone.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration exactly. If your ID name differs from the registration, contact the provider before exam day; do not assume an exception will be made.
Follow all proctor instructions, including identity verification, room scans, desk clearance, and any request to show your screen or surroundings. Refusal or non-compliance can lead to the attempt being voided.
Do not access unauthorized materials, devices, notes, or other people during the exam. Phones, smartwatches, and other wearables must be switched off and stored as instructed.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the proctor during the exam, and do not capture, copy, or share exam questions or content. Most certification programs bind candidates to a confidentiality agreement.
Ask about the break policy before you start. On many exams the clock keeps running during unscheduled breaks or leaving the camera view, and some exams allow no breaks at all, so confirm with the provider.
Scoring and passing standards are set by the provider and may use a scaled score rather than a simple percentage. Check the candidate handbook for the format, the passing standard, and the retake policy rather than relying on secondhand information.
Arrive or log in before your scheduled start time. Late-arrival and no-show policies, including forfeiture of fees, are provider-specific, so confirm the exact cut-off with the provider.
If a technical problem or interruption occurs, notify the proctor immediately and ask for a case reference. Do not attempt to troubleshoot by restarting or closing the exam on your own unless the proctor directs you to.