ExAC exam-day guide
ExAC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have the confirmation email or scheduling record available, including appointment time, test-center address, and any candidate ID number the provider issued.
Test-center logistics checked
Confirm the exact address, arrival time, parking or transit options, and building/room entry instructions with the provider or test-center listing before travel day.
Allowed-aids policy reviewed
Check the current candidate handbook for what is permitted at the workstation (calculator, scratch paper, references, water). Do not assume; policies differ by delivery mode and change over time.
Personal items plan
Most testing centers restrict phones, watches, bags, and notes to a locker or leave them at home. Confirm storage rules with the provider so you are not surprised at check-in.
Arrival buffer planned
Plan to arrive earlier than the stated reporting time to absorb traffic and check-in. Confirm the late-arrival cutoff with the provider; candidates arriving after it may be refused entry.
Rest and fuel routine set
Sleep on your normal schedule and eat a normal meal before the test. Avoid new caffeine levels or unfamiliar foods on exam morning.
Study materials packed away
Do not bring notes, flashcards, or printed references into the testing room unless the provider explicitly allows them. Leave them at home or in storage.
Break strategy decided
Confirm how breaks work in your delivery format (scheduled vs. unscheduled, clock behavior, re-entry screening) and decide in advance whether you will take them.
Emergency contact and provider number saved
Save the provider's candidate-services number in case of illness, travel delay, or a scheduling problem. Confirm the reschedule/cancellation policy in advance.
Physical comfort items
Bring layers in case the room is cold, and any permitted medication. Confirm with the provider whether items like earplugs or medical devices require prior approval.
Needs review: exam-specific tool rules
needs_review - Do not rely on secondhand claims about on-screen calculators, reference sheets, or scratch materials. Verify these in the official candidate handbook or with the provider before exam day.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Spend the time on weak areas you have already studied, reviewing your own notes and practice results. Re-read the candidate handbook sections on ID, allowed aids, breaks, and scoring. Confirm travel and appointment details, and protect sleep.
Do a light review only, then stop. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and clothing the night before. Check the weather and route. Avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep. Reconfirm the reporting time and arrival instructions with the provider if anything is unclear.
Eat a normal meal, arrive with time to spare, and complete check-in calmly. Keep conversations and phone use minimal before entry. If something goes wrong (delay, missing item), contact the provider immediately rather than guessing at the policy.
Read each question fully, including qualifiers such as 'best' or 'except'. Answer what you know first and flag uncertain items for review if the interface allows it. Watch the clock and reserve time to revisit flagged questions. Take breaks only as permitted, and note that the clock may keep running during unscheduled breaks - confirm the rule with the provider before your exam.
Follow the provider's instructions on score reporting and any post-exam survey. Keep your confirmation and any score report for your records.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired ID in your registered name. Confirm accepted ID types and any secondary ID requirement with the provider before exam day.
Arrive by the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Late-arrival and admission rules are set by the provider; confirm the cutoff in advance rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Leave unauthorized materials outside the testing room. Phones, watches, notes, and bags are typically restricted; confirm the specific list and storage arrangements with the provider.
Follow all proctor and test-center instructions, including any security screening, room conduct, and sign-out procedures. Noncompliance can lead to dismissal or score invalidation under provider policy.
Breaks are governed by your delivery format and provider rules. Confirm whether breaks are scheduled or unscheduled, whether the clock runs during them, and what re-entry screening applies.
Scoring, pass/fail determination, and score reporting timelines are set by the provider. Confirm how and when results are released and what the retake policy is; do not rely on unofficial reports.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as early as possible. Reschedule, cancellation, and refund terms vary; confirm them in the candidate handbook before your appointment.
Do not discuss, record, or share exam content. Candidate agreements typically prohibit disclosing questions or answers; read and follow the agreement you accept at registration and check-in.