CBSA OTEE exam-day guide
CBSA OTEE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Test appointment confirmation
Bring a printed or digital copy of your scheduling/invitation email. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is accepted.
Primary government-issued photo ID
The name on your ID must match the name used at registration. Confirm with the provider which specific documents are accepted (for example passport, driver's licence, or permanent resident card) before test day.
Secondary ID as backup
Carry a second piece of ID in case the first is questioned. Confirm with the provider whether a second document is required.
Login credentials and account details
If the test is computer-delivered, have your username, password, and any registration or file number accessible. Confirm with the provider what credentials are needed and whether they can be reset on test day.
Quiet, private, well-lit space (remote sittings)
Confirm with the provider whether your sitting is remote-proctored or in person. If remote, arrange a closed room, a clear desk, and a stable internet connection.
Completed system or equipment check
Run any required equipment or browser check at least a day ahead. Confirm with the provider what the technical requirements are (camera, microphone, browser version).
Scratch paper and writing tool, only if permitted
Do not assume these are allowed. Confirm with the provider what materials, if any, you may have at your desk.
Water and a light snack
Useful if a scheduled break is offered. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are permitted at your desk or only during breaks.
Watch or other timekeeping
Some sittings display a timer; others do not. Confirm with the provider whether a wristwatch is permitted and whether any devices are prohibited.
Route plan or login link
Know the exact address and travel time, or bookmark the test link and note the check-in time. Plan to arrive or log in ahead of your scheduled start, as instructed by the provider.
Review of the test format and instructions
Re-read the official description of the sections, question types, and time limits, and complete any official practice or sample questions the provider offers.
Prohibited items left at home
Notes, study materials, and personal devices are commonly restricted during testing. Confirm with the provider's list of prohibited items rather than guessing.
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment details in writing: date, time, location or link, check-in window, ID requirements, and the rescheduling or cancellation policy. Re-read the official test format so you know how many sections there are and how much time each allows.
Do light, targeted review only: revisit section instructions and practice questions you got wrong. Avoid learning new material at this point; protect your sleep schedule instead.
Complete any equipment or browser check and clear your calendar and workspace for test day. If travelling, confirm your route and parking or transit options.
Pack or lay out your ID, confirmation, and permitted materials. If testing remotely, close background applications, charge devices, and test your internet connection once more.
Set two alarms, confirm your start time in local time zone, and go to bed at a normal hour. Do not cram late.
Eat a normal meal, dress comfortably, and arrive or log in earlier than your scheduled start as directed. Have your ID and confirmation in hand before check-in begins.
If remote, remove phones and other devices from the room, silence notifications, and tell household members not to interrupt. If in person, follow the proctor's instructions for personal items.
Read each section's instructions fully before starting the timer. Track your pace against the number of questions and remaining time.
If the format allows, flag or skip a question that is taking too long and return to it. Answer every question if there is no penalty for guessing - confirm with the provider whether unanswered questions are penalized.
Take breaks only where the provider permits, and note the time. If something goes wrong technically, stop and contact the proctor or support channel immediately rather than continuing.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider specifies, and make sure the name matches your registration. If your documents have changed names, confirm acceptable bridging documents with the provider in advance.
Do not bring notes, study aids, or unauthorized electronic devices into the testing environment. Confirm with the provider what is permitted rather than relying on assumptions.
Follow all proctor instructions, including room scans, desk clear requirements, and identity verification steps. Refusal to comply may result in removal from the sitting.
Breaks, if any, are taken at the times the provider specifies. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the timer stops.
Scoring rules, including whether unanswered questions count against you and how sections are weighted, are set by the provider. Confirm these details with the provider instead of relying on secondhand accounts.
If your sitting is recorded or monitored, expect that you cannot leave the view of the camera or speak to others during the test unless permitted.
Report any technical failure or interruption to the proctor or support line immediately and ask for it to be documented; a documented issue is generally easier to resolve afterward.
Keep your confirmation and any correspondence until results are released, in case you need to dispute a scheduling or technical problem.