CRB exam-day guide
CRB · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID required by the exam provider (typically a current passport or driver's license with matching name). Confirm the accepted ID types and name-match rules with the provider before test day; an expired or mismatched ID can bar entry.
Confirmation/appointment details
Have your scheduling confirmation, candidate ID (if issued), and appointment time accessible. For remote delivery, confirm the login link and any system check instructions in advance.
Know the delivery format and location
Confirm whether you are testing at a physical center or proctored online, and the exact address or platform. Do a dry run of the route or the remote-proctoring setup so morning-of logistics are not a surprise.
Approved calculator or reference materials
Check the provider's list of permitted aids. Many credentialing exams restrict calculators to on-screen or specified models and prohibit personal notes; confirm exactly what is allowed rather than assuming.
Review the exam content outline
Reread the official content outline and weighting so your final review targets high-yield domains. Do not learn new topics in the last 72 hours; consolidate what you already know.
Two timed practice sets completed
Finish at least one full-length timed practice under exam conditions and review every missed item for the underlying concept, not just the answer.
Personal logistics settled
Plan transport, parking, meals, and childcare so the day is predictable. For a morning exam, arrive early enough to absorb delays without panic.
Rest and hydration plan
Protect sleep in the final two nights; a rested candidate outperforms a sleep-deprived one who crammed. Avoid heavy caffeine or unfamiliar food on test day.
Break and timing strategy decided
Know how many questions and how much time you have, and set a rough per-section pace. Decide in advance whether you will take scheduled breaks and how you will use them.
Question-flagging strategy
Plan to flag uncertain items, answer with your best judgment, and return only if time allows. Never leave a scored item blank unless the exam penalizes guessing (confirm the scoring rule).
Plan the day
Shift from learning to consolidating. Review summaries of high-weight domains, your error log from practice sets, and key formulas or definitions. Stop introducing new material. Take one final timed practice if you have not already, then taper. Confirm appointment time, location or platform, and ID requirements with the provider. Protect sleep.
Do a light review of your own notes and error log only, no more than a couple of hours. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any approved aids. Reconfirm logistics and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do not attempt a last-minute full practice exam.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and arrive at the center early or log in to the remote platform ahead of time. Leave your phone and prohibited items as instructed. Do a brief calm review of your pacing plan, not new content. Use the restroom before the exam begins.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'best', 'except', and 'first'. Answer confidently, flag uncertain items, and keep to your pace. Use breaks to reset rather than to review content. If a question stalls you, mark it and move on; return with remaining time. Before submitting, confirm you have answered every scored item and that flagged items are resolved as far as time allows.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider requires and ensure the name matches your registration. If your ID is expired or the name differs, contact the provider before test day; entry rules vary, so confirm rather than assume.
Follow all proctor instructions and center or platform rules. Prohibited items such as phones, smartwatches, and personal notes must be stored as directed; unauthorized materials can void your result.
Understand the scoring rule before you start: confirm whether unanswered questions are scored as incorrect and whether any guessing penalty applies. Unless a penalty exists, answer every scored item.
Use only approved aids. Confirm the permitted calculator model and any allowed reference materials with the provider; do not bring your own notes or unapproved devices.
Breaks are typically scheduled and monitored; confirm how many are allowed and whether the clock stops. Leaving the testing area outside approved breaks may end your session.
Report technical or environmental problems to the proctor immediately rather than trying to resolve them yourself; documented issues support any later appeal.
Do not discuss, reproduce, or share exam content. Most credentialing programs treat question disclosure as a conduct violation with consequences for your credential.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency, notify staff at once and confirm the provider's reschedule or incident policy afterward; do not simply abandon the session without documentation.