CRT (CREST) exam-day guide
CRT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID that matches the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and test-center address
Save the confirmation email or letter and the exact test-center address offline on your phone. Confirm arrival time and reporting window with the provider, since late arrival policies vary.
Provider-specific admission documents
Some providers require a printed admission ticket, authorization letter, or eligibility form. Check your confirmation materials and confirm with the provider exactly what must be printed versus shown on a phone.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator policy
Confirm with the provider whether a physical calculator is allowed, which models are permitted, and whether an on-screen calculator is built into the test. Do not assume either way.
Personal items plan (phone, watch, bag, outerwear)
Most testing rooms restrict phones, smartwatches, and bags to a locker or designated area. Confirm with the provider what can be brought into the room and what must be stored.
Break and snack plan
Check the break schedule and whether food, drink, or medication can be accessed during breaks. Confirm with the provider if you need an accommodation for medical items.
Route and backup transport plan
Plan the route, parking, and a backup option. Aim to arrive with buffer time; confirm the provider's late-arrival and rescheduling rules in advance.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge devices, and lay out ID and admission documents. Avoid last-minute study that disrupts sleep.
Accommodation confirmation (if applicable)
If you requested extended time, a separate room, or other accommodations, confirm approval and how to invoke it on test day. Confirm with the provider the process for raising accommodation issues at check-in.
Provider contact number
Save the test-center or provider support number in case of delay, illness, or a scheduling problem. Confirm with the provider which number to call on test day.
Needs review: exact arrival cutoff
Arrival cutoffs and late-seating rules differ by provider and site. Confirm with the provider the latest time you will be admitted.
Needs review: permitted items list
Rules on water bottles, tissues, earplugs, and similar items vary. Confirm with the provider before relying on any of them.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own error log and summary sheets, and do one or two short timed sets to keep pacing sharp. Reconfirm the appointment time, address, ID requirements, and permitted-items list with the provider. Prepare logistics: transport, parking, meals, and sleep schedule. Pack ID and admission documents the night before the final day so nothing is left to chance.
Do a light review only, focusing on formulas, definitions, or high-level frameworks rather than new practice questions. Check the test-center route and weather, and set alarms. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals late in the day. Prepare clothes in layers because room temperature varies. Confirm that your ID is valid and that the name matches your registration exactly.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive early within the provider's reporting window, carrying only approved items. At check-in, follow staff instructions for ID verification, locker use, and any security screening. If an accommodation was approved, state it at check-in rather than after the test begins. Use the restroom before entering the room.
Read the instructions and confirm the time remaining before starting. Answer easier questions first if the interface allows navigation, and flag uncertain items for review. Watch the clock at quarter points and adjust pace. Use scheduled breaks as planned; confirm with the provider whether breaks are timed or untimed. If equipment fails or you feel unwell, raise your hand immediately and ask staff to document the issue.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and what happens if the name does not match.
Arrive within the provider's reporting window. Late arrival may result in denied admission or forfeiture of fees; confirm with the provider the exact cutoff and rescheduling policy.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and unauthorized materials in the designated storage area. Using prohibited items during the test can lead to score cancellation; confirm with the provider the full list of banned items.
Follow all proctor and security instructions, including locker use, pockets, and any screening. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are timed or untimed, what can be accessed during breaks, and whether the clock stops.
Scoring and result reporting follow the provider's policies, including pass/fail thresholds and score validity periods. Confirm with the provider how and when results are released.
If you experience a technical failure, illness, or other disruption, notify staff immediately and ask for it to be documented before leaving; confirm with the provider the process for filing a report afterward.
Request any accommodations well before test day and confirm approval in writing. Raise approved accommodations at check-in so they are applied correctly.