CAFP exam-day guide
CAFP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is normally not accepted. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted at your test site, since this varies by location and delivery method.
Confirmation of your appointment
Save or print the scheduling confirmation email showing your test date, time, and location or online proctoring link. Having it handy speeds up check-in and resolves any booking discrepancy. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy suffices.
Second form of identification
Some testing centers request a second ID or a signature-bearing card. This is not universal, so confirm with the provider whether a secondary ID is required for your exam. If unsure, bring one anyway; extra valid ID rarely causes a problem.
Know your candidate/eligibility ID
If your registration issued a candidate number or eligibility code, note it down and keep it with your confirmation. You may be asked for it at check-in. Confirm with the provider whether this applies to your registration.
Review the permitted-items list
Testing centers usually restrict what you can bring to the desk. Check the provider's rules on watches, phones, notes, water bottles, and outerwear before you travel, and plan to store prohibited items in a locker if lockers are offered.
Confirm whether any reference material is allowed
Most certification exams are closed-book, but do not assume. Confirm with the provider whether a formula sheet, calculator, or other aid is supplied on screen or permitted in the room, and whether an on-screen calculator is built into the exam interface.
Plan your route and arrival time
Know the exact address or proctoring check-in time and add buffer for traffic, parking, and security screening. Arriving early reduces stress; arriving after the cutoff can forfeit your seat. Confirm with the provider what arrival window applies to your appointment.
Test your computer and internet for online proctoring
If you are testing remotely, run the provider's system check in advance, confirm your webcam and microphone work, and clear your desk area. Do this at least a day ahead so you have time to fix problems. Confirm with the provider which browser and bandwidth are required.
Prepare for the security screening
Expect to empty pockets, remove watches and smart devices, and possibly have your photo taken and a palm or signature check recorded. Keep this quick by traveling light and wearing layers you can remove easily.
Sleep, food, and hydration plan
Protect the night before with a normal sleep schedule and eat a proper meal beforehand. Bring water only if the provider permits it at the desk; otherwise hydrate before check-in. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are already anxious.
Know the break policy before you sit down
Ask at check-in whether scheduled breaks exist, how long they are, and whether the clock stops. Unscheduled breaks are often allowed but the exam timer keeps running. Confirm with the provider for your specific exam.
A strategy for flagged questions
Decide in advance how you will handle uncertain items: answer your best guess, flag it, and return if time allows. Never leave a question blank if there is no penalty for guessing; confirm with the provider whether scoring penalizes wrong answers.
Plan the day
Re-read the exam blueprint or content outline and list your three weakest domains. Spend remaining study time on those, doing practice questions under timed conditions rather than rereading notes. Stop learning brand-new material after this point; consolidation beats cramming. Confirm the appointment time, location or proctoring link, and the permitted-items list so there are no surprises.
Do one full-length timed practice set at the same time of day as your real appointment to train your pacing. Review every wrong answer and note the reasoning error, not just the correct fact. Then close the books on that topic. Check that your ID is valid and unexpired and that the name matches your registration exactly.
Do a light review of summaries and your personal error list only; no new practice exams. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one bag. For remote testing, rerun the system check, charge devices, and clear your testing space. Set two alarms, confirm travel or check-in time, and go to bed at your normal hour. Confirm with the provider any cutoff for rescheduling if something goes wrong.
Eat a normal meal and avoid last-minute cramming, which tends to raise anxiety more than scores. Leave with buffer time. Arrive or log in early per the provider's instructions, complete ID verification and screening calmly, and read the on-screen instructions and tutorial carefully before the clock starts.
Do a quick brain dump only if scratch materials are permitted and the clock has started. Note the total question count and time limit, compute your average pace per question, and set mental checkpoints (for example, where you should be at the one-third and two-thirds marks). Read each stem fully before looking at options.
Answer in order, flagging items that take more than your target pace. Use process of elimination and watch for absolute words and qualifiers in options. Re-read the question after choosing to confirm you answered what was asked. Take any permitted scheduled break to stand and reset, and check the clock at each checkpoint rather than constantly.
Stop starting new long items. Ensure every question has an answer, then revisit flagged questions in order of confidence. Change an answer only when you can name the specific reason the first choice was wrong; second-guessing without a reason usually hurts. Submit with time to spare rather than racing the last seconds.
Note how you felt about specific domains while memory is fresh, in case you need to retake. Confirm with the provider how and when results are released and whether a score report is issued at the test center or later online. Keep your confirmation and any result documentation for your records.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID in the exact name used at registration. If your name has changed or your documents do not match, contact the provider before test day; you may be turned away without a refund.
Follow all instructions from the proctor or invigilator. Prohibited behavior, including talking, looking at unauthorized materials, or leaving the testing area without permission, can lead to your exam being voided. Confirm with the provider the full list of prohibited items and behaviors for your delivery method.
Do not bring unauthorized materials to the desk. Phones, smart watches, notes, and study aids are generally banned and must be stored as directed. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask the proctor before the exam begins rather than risk a violation.
Understand the break rules before you start. Scheduled breaks may or may not stop the clock, and unscheduled breaks often do not. Confirm with the provider how breaks work on your exam so you can budget time correctly.
Understand how the exam is scored. Many certification exams use scaled scores and may or may not penalize guessing; do not assume. Confirm with the provider the passing standard, scoring method, and whether unanswered questions count against you.
Keep the content confidential. Reproducing, sharing, or discussing specific exam questions with others may violate the candidate agreement you accept at check-in. Read that agreement carefully, as it can include consequences up to score invalidation.
Know the reschedule and cancellation policy in advance. Deadlines and fees vary and are often tied to how close you are to the appointment. Confirm with the provider the exact cutoff and any fees before test day in case of illness or emergency.
If a technical problem or disturbance occurs during the exam, raise it with the proctor or support channel immediately and note the time. Reporting after you leave is harder to resolve. Confirm with the provider the procedure for documenting an incident that may affect your score.