MAS-I exam-day guide
MAS-I · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission/appointment confirmation
Bring a printed or saved copy of your appointment confirmation (confirmation number, test center address, start time). If your confirmation has not arrived, contact the exam administrator before test day rather than assuming the appointment is fine.
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the ID type the administrator requires, unexpired, with a name that matches your registration exactly. If your registration name and ID name differ (nickname, maiden name, hyphenation), resolve it with the provider in advance - do not wait until check-in.
Approved calculator (primary)
MAS-I requires a calculator from the administrator's permitted list. Verify the current permitted models on the official candidate rules before test day; models not on the list may be confiscated. needs_review
Approved calculator (backup)
Bring a second calculator of the same approved model if allowed, plus fresh batteries. Know how to clear/reset memory, since proctors may ask you to demonstrate that memory is empty.
Nothing prohibited in the testing room
Leave notes, formula sheets, textbooks, phone, smartwatch, and any other electronics in a locker or at home. Assume personal reference material is not permitted unless the provider's written rules say otherwise.
Pencils/eraser and scratch paper policy
Many computer-based centers supply scratch material and writing tools; others expect you to bring your own. Confirm the specific center's policy. needs_review
Snack and water for the break
Plan a small snack and drink you can access during any permitted break. Confirm whether the center provides lockers and whether items are accessible mid-exam.
Travel and arrival plan
Confirm the test center location, parking or transit options, and recommended arrival time (often well before the appointment for check-in). Build in buffer for traffic and security screening.
Watch/timekeeping plan
Many centers prohibit watches and personal timers; plan to rely on the on-screen clock. Confirm the center's rule before wearing one. needs_review
Familiarity with the exam software
Complete any provided practice exam or sample test environment beforehand so the flag-for-review, navigation, and on-screen calculator features are not new to you on test day.
Center contact information
Save the test center or administrator phone number so you can call immediately if you are delayed, the center is closed, or equipment fails.
Realistic rest the night before
Prioritize sleep over late-night review. Cramming a new topic in the final hours tends to increase error rates on material you already know.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: appointment time, center address, ID name match, permitted calculator list, and any local rules on scratch paper, watches, and breaks. Resolve discrepancies now, not on test morning.
Take one full-length, timed practice exam under exam conditions (no notes, approved calculator only, single sitting). Use the result to decide what to review, not to learn new material.
Build a short one-page review list of your own recurring errors - formula conditions, distribution assumptions, sign/direction conventions - and study only that list from here on.
Do targeted review of high-frequency topics and your error list; stop introducing new topics. Light problem sets to keep mechanics sharp, not marathon sessions.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, primary and backup calculator, batteries, snack, and any permitted items. Lay out clothes and confirm your route and departure time.
Re-read the administrator's candidate rules once, specifically the ID, calculator, prohibited-item, and break policies, so nothing at check-in is a surprise.
Stop studying by early evening. Normal sleep schedule, normal meals, no new caffeine dose or stimulant you have not used before.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate modestly, and arrive early enough to absorb a delay without panic. Call the center immediately if anything goes wrong en route.
Present ID, store all prohibited items, show your calculator if asked, and read the on-screen instructions and tutorial carefully before starting.
Work the exam in passes. Answer everything you can do cleanly, flag anything that will take more than a couple of minutes, and skip rather than sink time into one item.
Return to flagged items with the remaining time. Budget the clock against the number of items left and the time remaining, and stop checking the clock on every question.
Ensure no blanks remain, since an unanswered item cannot earn credit. Verify you have not mis-keyed an answer on a flagged item before submitting.
Rules to check
Bring the ID the administrator requires, unexpired, with a name matching your registration exactly. A mismatch or missing ID can result in being turned away, and any remedy is at the provider's discretion - confirm the policy in advance.
Use only a calculator from the current permitted list. Proctors may inspect it, require you to clear memory, or confiscate a non-permitted device, so verify the list before test day rather than relying on a model you used previously.
Prohibited items - phones, smartwatches, notes, textbooks, and personal reference material - must be powered off and stored as directed. Possession in the testing room can void your result regardless of intent.
Follow proctor instructions and center rules at all times. Suspected misconduct, attempting to record exam content, or communicating with others about live exam content can result in score cancellation or further sanction by the administrator.
Breaks: confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops, and what items are accessible. Unless the rules explicitly say the clock stops, assume your time continues to run.
Scoring on a multiple-choice actuarial exam is typically one point per correct answer with no penalty for incorrect answers, so never leave blanks. Confirm the current format and any scoring details with the provider. needs_review
Registration is generally for a single administration and is not transferable to another person or sitting. Confirm the rules on withdrawal, refunds, and re-sitting with the provider before you rely on any assumption.
If equipment fails or you experience a significant disturbance, notify the proctor immediately and document it at the center. Issues raised later are harder for the administrator to verify.