CRI exam-day guide
CRI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID that matches the name on your registration exactly. A mismatched name is the most common reason candidates are turned away. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Confirmation of your test appointment
Have your scheduling confirmation, appointment number, and the test center address or online proctoring link available. Print a copy if the provider allows printed materials in the waiting area; otherwise store it on your phone.
Login and account credentials (online proctoring)
If you are testing remotely, verify your username and password the day before and know the password-reset path. Confirm with the provider which browser and operating system versions are supported.
System and equipment check (online proctoring)
Run the provider's equipment test in advance: camera, microphone, speakers, internet stability, and screen-share permissions. Use a wired or stable connection where possible. Confirm with the provider whether a headset or external microphone is permitted or prohibited.
Acceptable testing environment (online proctoring)
Use a private, quiet room with a cleared desk, adequate lighting, and a closed door. Remove notes, phones, smart watches, and secondary screens from reach. Confirm with the provider the rules on wall hangings, glass desks, and whether a whiteboard or blank paper is allowed.
Permitted reference materials
Determine in advance whether the exam is open-book and, if so, which documents or standards are authorized. Bring only those, in the format the provider allows. Confirm with the provider whether annotated or tabbed references are acceptable.
Approved calculator or none
Check whether a calculator is provided on-screen, permitted as a personal device, or prohibited entirely. If a physical calculator is allowed, bring a model that meets the provider's restrictions. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Writing implements and scratch materials
Bring two pencils or pens if the center permits them, and know whether scratch paper is supplied and must be collected afterward. Confirm with the provider what is furnished versus what you must bring.
Comfort and timing essentials
Bring water and a small snack only if the provider permits them in the waiting area, and dress in layers since room temperature varies. Plan to arrive early enough to complete check-in without rushing.
Transportation and arrival plan
Confirm the test center location, parking or transit options, and typical traffic at your appointment time. Aim to arrive well before your scheduled start; confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled.
Review logistics and scoring basics
Know the number of questions, time limit, whether questions are scored equally, and how and when results are reported. Confirm with the provider whether a scaled score, pass/fail, or both are issued and what the retake policy is.
Personal medical or accommodation arrangements
If you have an approved accommodation, bring the approval documentation the provider requires and confirm the check-in steps for it. Confirm with the provider any rules about medication, mobility aids, or service animals at the test site.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material and shift to consolidation. Re-read your own summary sheets, formula lists, and error log, focusing on the topics you have missed most often. Take at most one full-length timed practice set, then review every wrong answer to identify the reasoning gap rather than just the correct option. Confirm your appointment details, test center address or proctoring link, and ID requirements. If testing remotely, run the equipment check and resolve any software or permission issues now, not on test day. Protect sleep: two solid nights before the exam matter more than a late-night cram.
Do a light, high-level review only: skim key definitions, process steps, and any memorized lists. Pack your bag or set up your testing space: ID, confirmation, approved materials, calculator if allowed, water if permitted. Lay out comfortable clothing. For remote testing, clear your desk, close the door, and test your connection once more. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine after midday, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not start a new practice exam the night before.
Eat a real breakfast and hydrate moderately to avoid mid-exam disruption. Arrive at the center or log in early enough to complete identity verification, the room scan, and any rule acknowledgments without pressure. Do a brief warm-up of five to ten easy recall questions or a one-page summary, not a deep dive. Leave your phone and smart watch stowed per the provider's rules. Take a few slow breaths before starting to settle your pacing.
Read the instructions and note the time limit and question count so you can set a rough per-question budget. Answer easier questions first if the interface allows navigation, and flag anything uncertain to revisit. For each item, identify what is being asked before evaluating options, and eliminate clearly wrong choices first. Watch the clock at natural checkpoints rather than every question. Use permitted breaks exactly as the provider allows, and note the time cost before taking one. Before submitting, review flagged items and confirm no question was left blank unless the provider penalizes guessing, which you should confirm in advance.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID that matches your registration name exactly; a discrepancy can bar entry, so verify the accepted ID types with the provider before test day.
Arrive or log in early enough to complete check-in, identity verification, and any room scan. Confirm with the provider how late arrival is treated, since policies on admission after the start time vary.
Keep only approved items at your station. Phones, smart watches, notes, and unauthorized devices must be stowed per the provider's instructions; confirm what counts as prohibited before you arrive.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks, including whether they are scheduled or optional, whether the clock runs during them, and what you may access. Confirm these details with the provider rather than assuming.
Do not communicate with other candidates, share exam content, or reproduce questions afterward. Treat all exam material as confidential and follow the nondisclosure terms you accept at check-in.
Understand how scoring works before you sit: question weighting, whether unanswered questions are penalized, and how and when results are released. Confirm with the provider whether a scaled score or pass/fail is reported.
If you test remotely, stay within camera view, keep your workspace cleared, and avoid behavior that could be flagged as a violation. Confirm with the provider the rules on leaving the camera frame and on room scans.
If you need an accommodation or must reschedule, contact the provider as early as possible and follow their documented process. Confirm deadlines and fees with the provider, as these are set by policy rather than by the exam content.