Hand Therapy Certification Examination exam-day guide
CHT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of ID your testing provider requires. Confirm acceptable ID types and name-matching rules with the provider before test day; do not assume a specific document is accepted.
Confirmation / appointment details
Have your appointment confirmation, registration number, and provider contact info saved offline (screenshot or printout). Confirm with the provider whether any printed authorization is required.
Know your test format and time limit
Review the official candidate handbook for number of questions, time allotted, and whether sections are timed separately. Confirm details with the provider; do not rely on secondhand accounts.
Test-center logistics or remote-testing setup
If testing in person, confirm address, parking, and arrival time with the provider. If testing remotely, run the provider's system/equipment check in advance and confirm room and desk requirements.
Permitted items only
Confirm with the provider what is allowed in the testing room. Assume personal items (phone, notes, smartwatch) are not permitted unless the provider states otherwise.
Scratch materials policy
Confirm whether scratch paper, a marker board, or an on-screen calculator/notes tool is provided and whether you may bring your own. Do not bring your own unless explicitly allowed.
Calculator policy
Confirm whether a calculator is provided on-screen, permitted as a personal item, or prohibited. Policies vary by exam and provider.
Break policy
Confirm the number, length, and rules of breaks (scheduled vs. unscheduled, whether the clock stops). Phrase any assumption as needing confirmation with the provider.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Plan sleep and a normal meal before the test. Avoid trying new caffeine or energy products on test day.
Arrival buffer
Arrive earlier than the provider's stated check-in time to allow for ID verification and security screening. Confirm the recommended arrival window with the provider.
Study materials set aside
Do not plan to review notes in the testing room. If you review beforehand, keep it brief and put materials away before check-in.
Backup plan
Save the provider's support phone number in case of technical issues or a late arrival, and know the reschedule/no-show policy. Confirm specifics with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheet of high-yield concepts and formulas. Take at most one light practice set to check pacing, then stop.
Re-read the official candidate handbook for format, timing, permitted items, and break rules. Note anything you need to confirm with the provider and ask early.
Confirm logistics: test-center address or remote-testing requirements, arrival time, and ID requirements. Resolve any open questions with the provider now.
Protect sleep. Shift bedtime earlier if needed so you are rested on test day. Avoid all-night cramming.
Do a short, confidence-building review only (30-60 minutes). Reread key formulas and definitions; do not start new topics.
Lay out ID, confirmation details, and any permitted items. Prepare clothes and transportation plan. Do a final system check if testing remotely.
Eat a normal dinner, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep. Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and arrive with a buffer. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it.
Do not cram new material. If you review, keep it to a brief glance at your summary sheet, then put it away before check-in.
Read the instructions and time limits carefully. Note whether sections are separately timed and how the clock behaves.
Work at a steady pace. Answer easier questions first if the format allows navigation, and flag uncertain ones to revisit. Watch the clock but avoid panic-checking.
For calculation or scenario questions, identify what is being asked, list knowns, and eliminate clearly wrong options. Sanity-check units and magnitudes.
Use breaks only as permitted. Confirm with the provider whether the clock stops during breaks before you rely on it.
If a technical issue occurs during a remote test, pause and contact provider support immediately; do not attempt unauthorized troubleshooting that could void your session.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider requires and ensure your name matches your registration. Confirm acceptable ID types with the provider in advance.
Follow all check-in and security procedures. Do not bring prohibited items into the testing room; confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not attempt to copy, record, or share exam content. Exam content is confidential.
Follow the provider's break rules exactly, including when you may leave and whether the clock stops. Confirm specifics with the provider rather than assuming.
If you arrive late or miss your appointment, the reschedule and no-show policy applies. Confirm that policy with the provider before test day.
Understand how your exam is scored (for example, whether wrong answers are penalized) before guessing. Confirm the scoring rules with the provider; do not assume.
If you need an accommodation, request it through the provider's process well before test day. Do not assume accommodations are available without approval.
Report any technical problems or rule concerns to the test administrator or provider support immediately rather than resolving them yourself.