CWSR exam-day guide
CWSR · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID specified in your admission letter. The name must match your registration. If you are unsure which forms are accepted or whether a digital ID is allowed, confirm with the provider before test day.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your test time, location (or online proctoring link), and any candidate ID number. Some centers ask to see it at check-in.
Know your test center route and arrival time
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Check transit, parking, and building access the day before. For remote testing, confirm your room and internet setup. Exact arrival windows vary by provider, so confirm with the provider.
Review the current candidate handbook or exam guide
Policies on permitted items, breaks, and scoring can change. Read the version linked from your registration portal in the final week.
Confirm what personal items are allowed
Most secure testing rooms prohibit phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags. Storage rules differ by site. Confirm with the provider whether lockers are available and what counts as prohibited.
Medication and accessibility arrangements
If you need medication, food, or extra time during the exam, request accommodations well before test day and bring the approval documentation. Confirm with the provider how approved items are handled at check-in.
Remote-testing system check (if applicable)
Run the proctor software compatibility test, test your webcam and microphone, and confirm your operating system meets requirements. Do this at least 24 hours ahead so you can fix issues.
Scratch paper and writing tool policy
Many providers supply an erasable booklet or allow a whiteboard; others prohibit all paper. Do not assume. Confirm with the provider what is provided and what you may bring.
Water and a light snack for after the exam
Eating and drinking during the test is usually restricted. Plan hydration and food for before check-in and after the test, subject to site rules.
Backup plan for technology failure (remote)
Know the proctor support phone number and have a charged phone nearby but out of reach during the test. Confirm with the provider how to reach support if your connection drops.
A watch-free time strategy
Many testing rooms do not allow wristwatches and display only a screen timer. Practice pacing with the on-screen clock format described in your guide. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is permitted.
Read the scoring and result-reporting policy
Know whether results are immediate or delayed, how scaled scores are reported, and what the passing standard is. Do not rely on memory; check the current handbook.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook for ID, permitted items, break rules, and scoring. Verify your test appointment time and location or remote link. Do one final light review of high-yield topics and stop heavy new learning. Protect sleep for the next three nights.
If testing remotely, run the full system check now: camera, microphone, browser, internet stability, and room scan requirements. Reschedule or contact support early if anything fails.
Lay out your ID, confirmation, and approved items. Charge devices. Confirm transport or set up your quiet testing room. Avoid cramming new material; review summaries and formulas only. Set two alarms and aim for a full night's sleep.
Check the provider's website or email for last-minute changes such as site closures, weather notices, or proctor instructions. Confirm with the provider if you have any unresolved question about what you may bring.
Eat a normal meal and arrive early. Leave prohibited items at home or in your car. At check-in, present your ID and confirmation, follow the proctor's instructions, and use the restroom before the exam begins. For remote testing, close all other applications and start the proctor session early.
Read the on-screen instructions and note the number of questions and time limit. Answer easier questions first if the format allows navigation, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Watch the clock but do not rush the final minutes. If a break is offered, follow the proctor's rules exactly and return on time.
If technology fails or you feel unwell, raise your hand or contact the proctor immediately. Do not attempt to troubleshoot in a way that violates testing rules. Ask the proctor to document the issue.
Follow the provider's instructions on receiving your score report. Note any deadline for appeals or retakes, and keep your confirmation documents until results are confirmed.
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 before test day.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, notes, or other unauthorized items into the testing room. Storage availability varies by site, so confirm with the provider what is permitted and where to leave personal belongings.
Follow all proctor instructions. Unauthorized communication, leaving the testing area without permission, or accessing prohibited materials can lead to score cancellation. The specific misconduct policy is set by the provider; read it in the handbook.
Break rules differ by exam. Some tests offer scheduled breaks; others do not stop the clock. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are available and whether the timer pauses.
Scoring and passing standards are set by the certifying body. Do not assume a raw percentage is the pass mark. Review the current scoring policy in the candidate handbook.
If you need accommodations, request them well in advance and bring approval documentation. Confirm with the provider how approved items and extra time are administered on test day.
For remote testing, use only the permitted workspace and keep your face and workspace visible as instructed. Close all other applications. Confirm with the provider which room and desk setups are acceptable.
Report any testing irregularity to the proctor immediately and ask for it to be documented. Follow the provider's published process for score inquiries or complaints.