CPJE exam-day guide
CPJE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of ID the testing vendor requires (typically a current driver's license or passport). Confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Admission/authorization confirmation
Have your scheduling confirmation or authorization-to-test notice available. The exact document required varies, so confirm with the provider what to print or display.
Know your test center location and route
Look up the address, parking, and transit options ahead of time and plan to arrive early. Traffic and security screening can consume extra time.
Arrival timing
Arrive before your scheduled start; late arrivals may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider the specific arrival cutoff for your appointment.
Permitted items only
Bring only what the vendor allows into the testing room. Personal items are usually stored in a locker. Confirm with the provider the current list of prohibited items (phones, watches, notes, etc.).
No outside reference materials
Do not bring or attempt to use notes, textbooks, or study aids. The exam is closed-book.
Calculator policy
Determine in advance whether a calculator is provided on-screen or whether any physical calculator is permitted. Do not assume; confirm with the provider.
Scratch materials
Find out whether scratch paper or a marker board is supplied and whether you may bring your own. Confirm with the provider.
Break and timing expectations
Review how breaks work and whether the clock stops during breaks. Confirm with the provider so you can budget your time.
Rest and logistics the night before
Get normal sleep, eat beforehand, and hydrate. Plan for a potentially long sitting and know your scheduled report time.
Test-day contact information
Save the vendor's phone number in case of an emergency or scheduling problem. Confirm with the provider where to call.
Read the candidate handbook
Review the official candidate handbook for conduct, scoring, and retake rules. This is the authoritative source; details below are general and should be verified.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Do focused review of high-yield topics and your own weak areas, take one or two timed practice sets, and confirm your test center logistics and ID requirements.
Protect sleep. Shift your schedule so you are alert at your appointment time, and avoid all-night cramming.
Do a light review only, then stop. Pack your ID and confirmation, lay out clothes, confirm the route and arrival time, and set two alarms.
Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy alcohol, and get a full night's sleep. Re-read the vendor's prohibited-items list so nothing gets you turned away.
Eat a real breakfast, hydrate moderately, arrive early, and leave your phone and other prohibited items secured as the vendor directs.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'except' and 'best'. Answer every question; there is generally no penalty for guessing, but confirm the scoring rule with the provider.
Pace yourself against the number of questions and time allowed. Flag uncertain items, keep moving, and return to them if time permits.
Use breaks as allowed, but remember the clock may keep running. Confirm break rules with the provider before you start.
Rules to check
Bring only the ID and items the vendor permits; store everything else as directed. Confirm the current prohibited-items list with the provider.
Your name on the registration must match your ID. Resolve any mismatch before test day; confirm the provider's name-change policy.
Do not communicate with other candidates, use unauthorized materials, or attempt to record exam content. Suspected misconduct can lead to score cancellation.
Follow all proctor and test-center instructions, including any security screening and sign-in/sign-out procedures.
Breaks are typically available but may be counted against your time; confirm the exact break policy with the provider before you begin.
Scoring and pass/fail determination follow the provider's published rules; do not rely on a raw percentage you calculate yourself. Confirm with the provider.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, follow the provider's deadlines and fees; last-minute changes may forfeit your fee. Confirm with the provider.
If a technical or scheduling problem occurs on test day, notify the test-center staff immediately and document it; confirm the provider's reporting process.