CAWI exam-day guide
CAWI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a secondary ID is required; rules vary by test center and by remote-proctoring vendor.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your confirmation email or appointment number accessible, either printed or on your phone, so you can resolve check-in issues quickly.
Provider-specific login credentials
If testing remotely, verify your username and password work at least a day ahead, and know the password-reset path. Confirm with the provider whether credentials are issued by the certification body or the proctoring platform.
Compatible computer and browser for remote delivery
Run the provider's system check in advance if one is offered. Confirm with the provider the supported operating systems, browsers, and whether a webcam and microphone are mandatory.
Quiet, private room with a stable connection
For remote testing, arrange a room where you will not be interrupted and where the proctor can see the door. Confirm with the provider what environmental scans or room checks are performed.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator knowledge
Determine in advance whether a calculator is permitted, whether it must be physical, or whether only an on-screen tool is available. Confirm with the provider; do not assume.
Scratch materials policy
Find out whether blank paper, a whiteboard, or an on-screen notepad is allowed, and whether you must show and erase materials on camera. Confirm with the provider before test day.
Personal items stowed per policy
Plan for phones, watches, notes, and bags to be stored or removed from your testing space. Confirm with the provider which items are prohibited outright.
Break and timing plan
Know the total appointment length and whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks exist. Confirm with the provider whether breaks stop the clock and whether you may leave the testing area during them.
Accessibility or accommodation arrangements
If you need extra time or other accommodations, confirm with the provider that approval is already on file and that the test center or remote platform has been notified.
Review the exam's published content outline
Re-read the official topic weighting and any published sample items from the certification body so you know the domain structure you will face. Do not rely on third-party summaries for scope.
Rest, hydration, and arrival buffer
Plan to arrive or log in well before your slot, and treat the last evening as recovery time rather than a cram session. Confirm with the provider the arrival or check-in lead time it recommends.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Re-read your own summary notes and the official content outline, and work through practice items under timed conditions to rebuild pacing. Identify two or three weak domains and do focused review there rather than broad re-reading. Confirm your appointment time, location or remote setup, and ID requirements with the provider. Resolve any open logistics: travel time, parking, childcare, or a backup internet connection for remote delivery. Stop studying early enough on the last night to sleep a full night.
Do a light review only: formulas, definitions, and framework names you tend to confuse. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any approved materials and place them together near the door or your desk. Run the remote system check if applicable and restart your computer. Charge devices and locate chargers. Confirm the exact start time in your own time zone, since remote appointments can be listed in a different zone. Eat normally, avoid a late heavy meal, and set two alarms. Do not start a new topic the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine to your usual amount. Re-check your ID and confirmation, and leave or log in with a generous buffer rather than cutting it close. For remote testing, close unrelated applications, silence notifications, clear your desk, and tell household members you are unavailable. For a test center, arrive early, use the restroom before check-in, and expect an ID check and possibly a security scan. Skim nothing new; if you review at all, look only at a one-page summary.
Read the instructions and any tutorial screens carefully, and note the time remaining and how many items there are. Do a first pass answering items you know, flagging anything that needs calculation or longer reasoning. Watch your per-item pace against the remaining time and avoid sinking minutes into one hard item early. Read each stem fully, especially for negative wording such as 'not' or 'least', and eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing. If the exam permits review, reserve the final minutes to revisit flagged items and confirm no item is left blank, since unanswered items are usually scored as incorrect. Use breaks only as allowed, and stay within camera view if testing remotely.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second form is needed.
Follow all proctor instructions and the provider's candidate agreement, including rules on prohibited items, talking, and leaving the testing area. Confirm with the provider which behaviors constitute misconduct.
Do not bring or use unauthorized materials, notes, or devices. If you are unsure whether an item such as a calculator, watch, or paper is allowed, ask the provider before test day rather than assuming.
Break rules vary by exam and delivery mode; confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops, and whether you may leave the room.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the certification body. Confirm with the provider how items are scored, whether there is a penalty for guessing, and when and how results are released.
Report any technical problem, interruption, or environmental disturbance to the proctor immediately, and note the time; unresolved issues are easier to remedy when documented during the session.
If you need accommodations, request and confirm approval with the provider well before the appointment, since approval is typically not granted on test day.
Keep your registration and contact details current so results and any follow-up from the provider reach you.