CISR exam-day guide
CISR · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a current, unexpired photo ID. The name on the ID should match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted for your delivery method (in-person versus remotely proctored).
Exam appointment confirmation
Have the confirmation email or registration number available - either printed or on your phone - in case the proctor or site coordinator needs to verify your appointment.
Login credentials and account access
If your exam is delivered online, verify you can sign in to the testing platform before exam day and that you know your username and password. Do a password reset 72 hours ahead rather than 5 minutes ahead.
Compatible computer with camera and microphone
For remotely proctored exams, use a desktop or laptop (not a phone or tablet unless the provider explicitly permits it). Test the camera, microphone, and browser compatibility in advance; confirm the technical requirements with the provider.
Stable internet connection plus a backup
Wired or strong Wi-Fi is preferred. Have a phone hotspot or a second location in mind as a fallback, and know the provider's procedure for reporting a disconnection.
Quiet, private, well-lit room with a cleared desk
Remove papers, books, notes, phones, smart watches, and anything within arm's reach that a proctor could flag. Tell household members not to enter the room during the exam.
Power supply
Charge your device fully and keep the charger plugged in for the duration of the exam.
Permitted scratch materials
Scratch paper, pens, and calculators are allowed only if the provider permits them, and remote proctors may require you to show or destroy them on camera. Confirm the permitted-items list before exam day; if not permitted, plan to work without them.
Water and a light snack for before or after
Plan to hydrate and eat before you begin. Eating and drinking during the exam may be restricted - check the rules for your delivery method.
Logged-out, silenced secondary devices
Phone off or silenced and out of reach unless it is your backup hotspot. Smart watches should be removed entirely.
Know your exam logistics
Write down the number of questions, the time limit, the passing score, and whether the exam is timed per question or as a single block. These details vary by program and delivery method - confirm them with the provider rather than assuming.
A plan for arriving early
For an in-person test center, aim to arrive well ahead of your appointment to allow for check-in, ID verification, and a locker or storage procedure for personal items.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment date, time, time zone, and delivery method in writing. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook or rules page for the permitted-items list, ID requirements, and the technical-failure procedure.
Do a full technology dry run if you are testing remotely: camera, microphone, browser, screen share, and login. Resolve any issue now, not on exam morning.
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets and missed-question notes; stop trying to master brand-new topics. Protect your sleep schedule starting now.
Take one short, timed practice set under exam-like conditions to calibrate your pace, then stop. No marathon study sessions the day before.
Prepare and stage everything: ID, confirmation, chargers, scratch materials, and the room setup. Write down your login credentials somewhere you will see them.
Confirm the room and time with anyone sharing your household. Set two alarms. Get a full night's sleep - this affects performance more than one more hour of review.
Eat a normal meal, avoid cramming new material, and skim only your own one-page summary if it calms you. Close every other application on your computer.
Log in or arrive early - typically 15 to 30 minutes ahead - to absorb check-in delays. Have your ID in hand and your desk clear before the proctor session begins.
Read the full question and all answer choices before selecting. Watch for absolutes such as 'always' and 'never', and for questions asking for the exception or the 'best' answer rather than a correct one.
Answer every question. If you are unsure, flag it and move on, then return if time permits. Keep an eye on the clock and pace yourself against the number of questions remaining.
If the platform freezes, disconnects, or a proctor chat appears, stop and follow the provider's documented procedure - usually to note the time and contact support rather than repeatedly restarting. Do not attempt to fix it by opening other programs.
Rules to check
Your ID must match your registration name. If your name has changed or is spelled differently, contact the provider before exam day to correct it; mismatches can bar you from testing with no refund.
Assume no outside materials or assistance are allowed. Books, notes, phones, smart watches, and other people in the room are standard grounds for a conduct violation. The permitted-items list is program-specific - confirm it with the provider.
Breaks are generally restricted during a timed exam, and leaving the camera view on a remotely proctored test may end your session. Ask the provider in advance about any scheduled or unscheduled break policy and how the clock is handled.
The passing score, scoring method, and whether unanswered questions count against you are set by the provider. Confirm the exact pass mark and retake policy rather than relying on secondhand information.
Results delivery timing and format (on-screen, email, or mailed) vary by program and delivery method. Confirm when and how you will receive your score before you sit for the exam.
Report technical problems immediately through the provider's stated channel and note the time, the error, and any case number. Do not open other applications or re-attempt the login repeatedly on your own initiative.
Follow the proctor's instructions at all times, including room scans and desk checks. Arguing with or ignoring a proctor is typically treated as a conduct issue independent of your exam performance.
Keep exam content confidential. Sharing, photographing, or reproducing questions - during or after the exam - is prohibited and is a common basis for score invalidation.