Cr.FA exam-day guide
Cr.FA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID specified in your admission ticket (often a passport or driver's license). The name must match your registration. If you are unsure which IDs are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Admission ticket / confirmation email
Print or save the confirmation showing your test center, appointment time, and candidate ID. Some centers require a printed copy; check your provider's instructions.
Know your test center route and arrival time
Confirm the address and recommended arrival time (often 30 minutes before the appointment). Do a route check the day before. Arrival cut-off policies vary-confirm with the provider.
Review the candidate handbook for permitted items
Rules on calculators, scratch paper, notes, phones, and watches differ by provider and delivery method. Read the current handbook rather than relying on memory. Mark as needs_review if you cannot find the current version.
Confirm break policy and timing
Know whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or counted against your time. If the policy is not clearly stated in your materials, confirm with the provider.
Plan for storage of personal items
Most centers require phones and bags to be stored away from the testing room. Expect to leave them in a locker or designated area; do not plan to access them during the test.
Comfort items allowed by policy
Water, snacks, and medication are often restricted to break areas. Check what is permitted in the testing room and confirm any medical accommodation in advance with the provider.
Review the exam structure and scoring
Know the number of questions, time limit, and whether scoring is criterion-referenced or scaled. This helps you pace and decide when to guess versus move on.
Prepare a pacing plan
Calculate average time per question from the official time limit and question count. Decide a checkpoint (e.g., halfway point) to assess whether you are on pace.
Get a full night's sleep and eat normally
Avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep. Test-day performance depends more on rest and routine than on one extra hour of review.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Review your summary notes and error log only. Confirm test center address, arrival time, ID requirements, and permitted items using the current candidate handbook. If any policy is unclear, confirm with the provider now, not on test day.
Take one timed practice set under exam-like conditions to check pacing. Review only the questions you missed, focusing on reasoning errors rather than memorizing answers. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any allowed items in one place.
Light review of high-yield formulas, definitions, or frameworks. Check the route and transport plan, including parking or transit delays. Set two alarms. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals. Aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the recommended time; do not rely on last-minute arrival. Leave phones and notes stored as required. Use the restroom before entering the testing room.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'except' or 'best'. Answer easy questions first if the interface allows navigation, and flag uncertain ones. Keep to your pacing checkpoints. Use scheduled breaks as permitted, and return promptly. If a technical issue occurs, notify the proctor immediately.
Note any content areas that felt weak while memory is fresh, in case a retake is needed. Do not discuss specific exam content with others; most providers prohibit sharing live questions.
Rules to check
Bring the exact government-issued photo ID named in your admission materials; the name must match your registration. If you are unsure which IDs are accepted, confirm with the provider.
Arrive by the recommended time. Late arrival may result in forfeiture of your appointment or fee; the exact cut-off is set by the provider-confirm it in advance.
Personal items such as phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are generally not allowed in the testing room. Store them as directed and do not access them during the test.
Breaks are governed by provider policy. Some exams have scheduled breaks, some count break time against the total, and some allow optional breaks. Confirm the rule for your delivery method before test day.
Scoring methods vary: some exams report scaled scores, some pass/fail, and some use criterion-referenced cut scores. Read the official score report explanation rather than assuming a percentage.
Do not share, reproduce, or discuss specific exam questions. Most testing programs treat this as a conduct violation.
If you need a medical or other accommodation, request it well before test day through the provider's published process; accommodations are generally not arranged on arrival.
Follow all proctor instructions. Suspected misconduct can lead to score cancellation, so ask the proctor if a rule is unclear rather than guessing.