CHPS exam-day guide
CHPS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification named in your admission instructions. If the name on your registration differs from your ID (e.g., maiden name, hyphenation), confirm with the provider in advance how to handle it.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Have your appointment confirmation, candidate number, or testing-account login available. Requirements vary by delivery method, so confirm with the provider what must be printed versus shown on a phone.
Know your test delivery format and location
Confirm whether you are testing at a physical center or by remote proctoring, and verify the address or the software/system requirements. Reconfirm with the provider shortly before test day in case of changes.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to arrive or log in well ahead of your scheduled start; late arrivals may be refused entry or lose time. The exact cutoff is provider-specific, so confirm with the provider.
Permitted-items list
Check the provider's list of what is allowed in the testing room (e.g., calculator, scratch materials, tissues, water). Do not assume anything not on the list is permitted.
Storage plan for personal items
Expect phones, watches, bags, and notes to be stored away or prohibited during the exam. Confirm the provider's policy on personal belongings and lockers.
Break and timing expectations
Review how many breaks are offered, whether they are timed, and what you may access during them. Break rules differ by provider and delivery format; confirm with the provider.
Rest, meals, and medication routine
Protect sleep in the days before, eat a normal meal beforehand, and follow your usual medication routine. Ask the provider in advance about accommodations for medical needs or scheduled breaks.
Scoring and results basics
Know the passing standard, whether results are immediate or delayed, and how they are reported. These details are set by the provider; confirm them rather than relying on secondhand information.
Retake and rescheduling policy
Understand wait periods, fees, and rescheduling deadlines before test day so a problem does not catch you unprepared. Confirm with the provider.
Backup plan for the morning
Arrange transportation, a charged phone, and a contact number for the testing site in case of delay. For remote testing, have a backup internet option in mind.
Accommodations confirmation
If you requested accommodations, verify they are approved and noted for your appointment. Bring any required documentation the provider specifies.
Plan the day
Reconfirm your appointment time, location or remote-testing setup, and ID requirements with the provider. Review your weakest topics with light practice rather than cramming new material. Prepare clothing, ID, and permitted items in one place.
Do a logistics dry run: check travel time or test your computer, camera, microphone, and internet if remote. Clear your schedule so the day before is low-stress.
Stop heavy studying and do a short, confidence-building review of high-level frameworks only. Confirm alarms, transportation, and meals. Avoid alcohol and late screens; prioritize sleep.
Eat a normal meal, take usual medications, and leave early with extra buffer. Do not bring study notes if the provider prohibits them in the testing area. Arrive or log in early and follow proctor instructions exactly.
Read each question fully, watch the clock, and budget time so you can reach every item. Answer easier questions first if the format allows, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Use only permitted breaks and materials, and follow all proctor directions.
Note how results will be delivered and when. If the outcome matters for a retake, review the provider's retake and rescheduling rules while they are fresh.
Rules to check
Present the identification the provider requires; you may be denied entry if it does not match your registration. Confirm acceptable ID forms with the provider in advance.
Follow all proctor and testing-center instructions, including where to store personal items and what may be on your desk or screen.
Do not access phones, watches, notes, or other unauthorized materials during the exam or during breaks unless the provider explicitly permits it.
Use only breaks as scheduled. Understand whether breaks are timed and what you may do during them; confirm the provider's break policy before test day.
Do not communicate with other candidates or share exam content. Attempting to record, reproduce, or distribute questions is prohibited.
Report any technical problem, illness, or disruption to the proctor immediately so it can be documented.
Understand the scoring and result-reporting process, including the passing standard and any delay before results are released; confirm specifics with the provider.
Review the provider's rescheduling, cancellation, and retake rules before test day so you know your options and deadlines.