CAFS exam-day guide
CAFS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID (not a photocopy) with a name that matches your registration exactly. Accepted ID types vary by provider, so confirm the specific list with the provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation or eligibility number
Have your confirmation email, registration number, or candidate ID available in printed or digital form as the provider instructs. Print a copy as a backup in case phone access is restricted at the test site.
Test-day access instructions
Know whether you are sitting at a test centre or via remote proctoring, and have the launch link, check-in time, and any access code saved offline. Confirm the check-in window with the provider.
Confirmed exam format details
Note the number of items, time limit, item types, and whether any sections are separately timed. These details are specific to your exam version, so verify them in the candidate handbook or with the provider.
Confirmation of permitted aids
Find out in advance whether a calculator, scratch paper, formula sheet, or reference text is permitted, and whether any of these are supplied on screen. Do not assume - confirm with the provider.
Remote-proctoring equipment check (if applicable)
If testing online, confirm a working webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection, and prepare a quiet, private room with a clear desk. Run any system test the provider offers at least a day ahead.
Arrival plan
Check the venue location, parking or transit options, and recommended arrival time. Many providers ask candidates to arrive well before the start time for check-in; confirm the exact guidance with the provider.
Small comfort items for breaks
Water and a light snack for scheduled breaks, plus a layer of clothing in case the room is cold. Confirm what may be brought into the testing room, since many venues restrict food, bags, and phones.
Reschedule or cancellation terms reviewed
Know your provider's deadline and any fee for changing your appointment, so a last-minute problem does not cost you the sitting. Terms differ by provider - check your confirmation.
Rest and logistics settled the night before
Set two alarms, plan your route and departure time, and aim for a normal night's sleep. Late-night cramming tends to cost more in focus than it gains in recall.
Scoring and results process understood
Know how and when results are released, what the pass standard is, and whether a score report is issued on site or later. Scoring rules are provider-specific - confirm rather than assume.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook and your appointment confirmation. Verify time, time zone, venue or platform, and ID requirements. If testing remotely, run the system and equipment check now so you have time to fix problems. Finish your last full practice set and review your error log; do not start new topics.
Do a light pass over your two or three weakest areas using your own summary notes. Stop heavy study in the evening and shift your sleep schedule toward the timing of your appointment.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and permitted items in one place. Print or download any access instructions. Reconfirm the start time in your local time zone. Do a short, confidence-building review only - no new material, no all-nighters.
Eat a normal meal, allow generous travel or setup time, and leave early. Avoid heavy last-minute cramming; a brief skim of key formulas or definitions is enough. Arrive or log in before the stated check-in time.
Follow proctor or staff instructions exactly, place restricted items where directed, and ask for clarification if a step is unclear. Keep your ID visible until check-in is complete.
Read the instructions and note the time limit. Work at a steady pace based on items divided by minutes, flag difficult items and return to them, and watch the clock at the halfway point. Answer every item unless the provider states that incorrect answers are penalised - confirm this rule beforehand. Take any scheduled break, even briefly, to reset.
Note what felt uncertain while it is fresh, and check the provider's stated timeline for results release rather than expecting an immediate score unless you were told otherwise.
Rules to check
Bring original government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration; candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry, so confirm the accepted forms with the provider.
Follow all proctor and invigilator instructions. Talking, note-taking outside permitted materials, phone use, or leaving the testing area without permission may lead to voided results.
Personal items such as bags, phones, and smart watches are typically prohibited in the testing room; confirm where they should be stored before you arrive.
Breaks and their timing are set by the provider - some exams pause the clock and others do not. Confirm the break policy in advance so you can plan your pacing.
Only use aids explicitly permitted for your exam. If you are unsure whether a calculator, scratch paper, or reference material is allowed, confirm with the provider before test day.
Scoring, pass standards, and result reporting are set by the provider and may involve scaled scores. Confirm how and when results are issued rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
If a technical failure, illness, or emergency occurs, notify the proctor or provider immediately and ask what documentation is required; do not simply leave the session.