CEH exam-day guide
CEH · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID with signature
Use the original physical document (passport or driver's license). The name on it must match your exam registration exactly. If your registration name differs in any way, correct it with the provider before test day.
Registration and appointment confirmation details
Have your candidate ID / registration number, appointment time, and the time zone you booked in written down and within reach. Confirm the delivery method (remote proctored vs. test center) in your confirmation email.
System readiness check completed
Run the official system/proctor compatibility test on the exact machine you will use, at least 24 hours ahead. Verify webcam, microphone, browser version, and bandwidth all pass.
Proctor software installed and updated
Install or update any required secure browser / proctoring client ahead of time and launch it once to confirm it starts cleanly. Do not leave installation to the exam start time.
Stable wired or high-quality internet connection
Prefer a wired connection or a strong dedicated Wi-Fi signal. Have a backup plan (mobile hotspot) noted, though switching networks mid-exam may require re-verification with the proctor.
Quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk
Remove all papers, books, notes, posters with text, extra monitors, and electronic devices from the desk and the camera's view. You will likely be asked to do a 360-degree room scan.
Phone silenced and stored out of reach
Any device visible or audible during the session can be treated as a violation. Put it away before you launch the exam and do not touch it until you have finished.
Confirm allowed test aids with the provider
Whether scratch paper, a whiteboard, or an on-screen notepad is permitted varies by delivery method and version. Do not assume - verify the current policy in your candidate handbook.
Confirm break policy with the provider
Scheduled vs. unscheduled break rules and whether the timer keeps running differ between remote and test-center delivery. Check your handbook rather than relying on secondhand reports.
Confirm the passing score and question count for your exam version
Cut scores and exam length can change between versions and are not something to guess at. Confirm the current numbers on the official exam blueprint/handbook.
Water and a light snack staged for after the exam
Keep them off the desk during the session; they are for recovery afterwards, not for use mid-exam unless the provider explicitly allows it.
A time-management plan written down
Note the total question count and compute a rough per-question budget, plus a checkpoint time by which you should be at the halfway question. Keep this on a sticky note outside camera view - not on your desk.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam blueprint and list the domains you score weakest on. Do targeted review of those domains only - no new topics this late. Take one timed practice assessment under exam-like conditions to rehearse pacing, then stop adding new material.
Reconcile your ID against your registration name character by character, and verify your appointment date, start time, and time zone. Fix any discrepancy now, not on test day.
Confirm the delivery method and its requirements (remote proctoring setup vs. test-center arrival time and what the center allows). Note the arrival/check-in window.
Run the full system check again on the final machine, install/update proctor software, and confirm your webcam and mic work. Disable VPNs, virtual machines, and remote-desktop tools. Close background apps.
Prepare and photograph your testing space: clear desk, clear walls in camera view, monitor positioned so the door is visible if required. Lay out your ID.
Do a short, light review of high-level concept lists and terminology only. Stop studying early, eat properly, and get a full night's sleep - fatigue costs more points than one more hour of review gains.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and avoid cramming new material. A brief skim of your own summary sheet is fine; deep-diving a weak topic right before the exam tends to increase anxiety.
Set up the room, silence and store your phone, launch the proctoring software, and begin check-in early. Identity verification and room scans routinely take longer than candidates expect.
Read each stem fully and watch for qualifying words (MOST likely, BEST, FIRST, EXCEPT). Answer, then move on - do not let a single item consume several minutes.
Use the flag/review feature to mark uncertain items and come back after a first pass. Answer every question; there is generally no advantage to leaving items blank.
Check the clock at planned checkpoints. If you are behind pace, speed up on short factual items to bank time for longer scenario questions.
In the last stretch, reserve time to revisit flagged items and confirm no question is unanswered before submitting. Submit deliberately and stay seated until the session closes.
Rules to check
Present the exact original government-issued photo ID you registered with. Photocopies, digital images on a phone, and expired documents are not acceptable - confirm accepted ID types with the provider if you are unsure.
Your registration name must match your ID. Name mismatches are a common cause of denied entry or cancelled sessions, and they are far easier to fix days in advance than on test day.
Stay in the camera's field of view for the entire session. Leaving the frame, covering the camera, or having another person enter the room is treated as a conduct violation.
Do not use unauthorized materials, notes, second screens, virtual machines, or any AI or communication tool during the exam. Assume the session is recorded and reviewed.
Follow the proctor's instructions immediately and completely; the proctor's authority supersedes your own assumptions about what is allowed.
Break availability and whether the timer pauses during a break vary by delivery method - confirm the policy with the provider before test day rather than assuming you can step away.
Report any technical failure to the proctor immediately and note the time and nature of the issue. Do not attempt to troubleshoot alone or restart the session without instruction.
Scoring rules, cut scores, and retake eligibility are set by the provider and can change between exam versions - verify the current policy in the official candidate handbook rather than relying on forum reports.