Advanced Amateur Radio (Canada) exam-day guide
Advanced Amateur Radio (Canada) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo identification
Bring at least one current piece of government-issued photo ID showing your name exactly as it appears on your registration. If your name differs (for example, a married name not yet updated), bring supporting documentation. Whether a second piece of ID is required is set by the accredited examiner or provider, so confirm with the provider before test day.
Confirmation of your exam booking
Carry a printed or offline-accessible copy of your appointment confirmation, including the date, time, location or session link, and the examiner's contact details. Do not rely on being able to open email or a web portal at the test site.
Your call sign and licence details, if already licensed
If you already hold an amateur certificate of proficiency at a lower level, note your call sign and certificate number. This helps the examiner match your record and avoids confusion about which qualification you are being assessed for.
Knowledge of which qualification you are writing
The Advanced qualification is a separate certificate of proficiency from the Basic one. Confirm with the provider which certificate your session covers and whether any prerequisite (such as holding Basic, or Basic with Honours) applies to your registration.
Basic calculator (if permitted)
Some Advanced material involves simple arithmetic and unit conversions. Ask the provider in advance whether a basic non-programmable calculator is allowed, and whether it must be cleared of memory or cases. Do not assume phones or smart devices are acceptable substitutes.
Pencils, eraser, and pen
Bring your own writing implements in case the site does not supply them. For paper-based sittings, confirm with the provider whether answers are recorded on a separate answer sheet and whether scratch paper is provided.
Review of the published syllabus and question format
Confirm with the provider which syllabus edition and reference list apply to your session, and whether the exam is multiple choice, short answer, or a mix. Study to the published syllabus rather than to rumour about specific questions.
Arrival plan with buffer time
Plan to arrive early enough to complete any sign-in, ID check, and instructions without rushing. For remote sittings, test your camera, microphone, and connection ahead of time and have a phone number for the examiner in case the session fails.
A quiet, private location for remote sittings
If your exam is delivered online with supervision, use a private room with a stable connection and a clear desk. Confirm with the provider in advance what is permitted on the desk and whether the room will be scanned.
Water and any necessary medication
Small comfort items reduce distraction during a long sitting. Confirm with the provider whether drinks or personal items are allowed at the desk, since supervised sessions often restrict them.
Contact details for the examiner or provider
Save the examiner's phone number and email offline. If you are delayed, unwell, or unable to connect, notify the provider as soon as possible so your session can be rescheduled under their policy.
A plan for after the exam
Ask the provider in advance how and when results are issued, whether a retake is permitted, and what fees or waiting periods apply. Knowing this reduces anxiety and prevents surprises.
Plan the day
Stop broadening your study and consolidate. Re-read the published syllabus and tick off each topic as confident, shaky, or unknown. Spend your remaining time on the shaky topics, and write a one-page summary of formulas, unit prefixes, and definitions you keep forgetting. Do a full timed practice sitting under exam conditions if one is available to you, then review only the errors.
Confirm logistics in writing with the provider: exact date, time, time zone, address or session link, ID requirements, permitted items, and the cancellation or rescheduling policy. Ask any question you have been putting off, including whether a calculator is allowed and how results are delivered.
Protect your sleep and avoid cramming new material the night before. If you are travelling to a test site, plan the route and check for closures or transit disruptions, and prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, and writing implements so nothing is left to the morning.
Do a light review only: skim your one-page summary and the syllabus headings. Do not attempt new topics or full mock exams. Eat normally, avoid excess caffeine, and set two alarms. Charge any device you need for a remote sitting and confirm the connection works in the room you will use.
Re-read the provider's instructions for the day, including arrival time and what to do if you are late or cannot connect. Lay out your ID and confirmation. If you feel unwell, contact the provider now rather than on the morning, and ask about rescheduling.
Eat a normal meal, arrive with buffer time, and leave your phone and smart devices stowed unless the provider says otherwise. At sign-in, present your ID, confirm which qualification you are writing, and listen carefully to the instructions, including how to record answers and how to ask a procedural question.
Read the whole paper or the instructions first, then work through questions you can answer confidently before returning to harder ones. For calculations, write down the formula and check units and powers of ten. If a question seems ambiguous, answer according to the published syllabus and note the issue for the examiner afterwards rather than arguing mid-session.
Manage the clock: note the total time, divide it by the number of questions for a rough pace, and leave time to check that every question has an answer and that your name and details are correct. If you finish early, review rather than leaving, but do not change answers without a reason.
Ask the examiner about the process for results and, if you believe a question was faulty, ask how to raise it. Note what felt weak so that, if a retake is needed, your next study plan targets those areas from day one.
Rules to check
Follow the examiner's instructions on identification and sign-in. Present the ID you were told to bring, and do not proceed if there is a discrepancy you cannot resolve; ask the examiner to clarify rather than guessing.
Do not bring or use unauthorised materials or devices. Phones, smart watches, notes, and reference sheets are normally prohibited unless the provider explicitly permits them; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider before the session.
Ask procedural questions freely, such as how to record an answer or what to do about a missing page, but do not ask the examiner to interpret or solve a technical question for you.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait to be excused. For supervised remote sittings, confirm with the provider what the procedure is, since leaving the camera view may end the session.
Treat the exam content as confidential. Do not copy, photograph, or later reproduce specific questions, and do not discuss live exam content with other candidates.
Respect the time limit. Stop writing or clicking when instructed; continuing after time is called may invalidate your paper under the provider's rules.
If you believe a question is defective or the session was disrupted, report it to the examiner or provider promptly and ask what remedy or appeal process applies. Do not assume the outcome; confirm the policy with the provider.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and the applicable regulatory framework. Do not rely on second-hand claims about pass thresholds or partial credit; confirm the scoring method and result timeline with the provider.