SRE Practitioner exam-day guide
SRE Practitioner · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
The name on your ID must match your exam registration exactly. Accepted ID types vary by provider and region, so confirm the approved list with the provider before exam day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your registration email, appointment time (including time zone), and any session/launch link or access code ready in a place you can reach without leaving the webcam view.
Stable primary internet connection
Prefer a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal in the room where you will test. Run the provider's system/connectivity check at least a day ahead.
Working webcam, microphone, and speakers or headset
Online-proctored exams typically require a camera, mic, and audio for the check-in process. Confirm headset rules with the provider, since some prohibit them.
Computer that meets the provider's system requirements
Check OS version, browser version, and any required secure-browser or proctoring plugin ahead of time, and install updates before exam day rather than on the morning of.
Private, quiet, well-lit room with a clear desk
Remove papers, phones, second monitors, smart devices, and clutter from the desk and surrounding area. Proctors commonly require a room scan.
Phone charged but put away
Your phone may be needed for check-in or as a backup hotspot, but it must be silenced and out of reach during the exam unless the proctor instructs otherwise.
Power adapter and charged battery
Plug in the laptop, and make sure the battery can carry you through a brief power interruption.
Background apps and notifications disabled
Close chat apps, email, sync clients, and anything that could pop up over the exam window or trip proctoring software. Turn off OS notifications.
Clarify open-book and notes policy
Determine in advance whether the exam is closed-book and whether scratch paper, notes, or a whiteboard are allowed. Do not assume; confirm with the provider.
Know the format, time limit, and scoring in advance
Review the published domain breakdown, item count, time limit, and pass score on the provider's official page so you can pace yourself. Do not rely on third-party summaries.
Water in a clear container, if permitted
Many proctored environments restrict drinks to clear, label-free containers or ban them entirely. Confirm the rule with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment time and time zone, re-read the provider's candidate/proctoring rules, and run the full system test including camera, mic, and browser plugin. Resolve any technical gaps now, not later.
Do a final light review focused on weak domains from your practice results. Stop introducing new material after this point; sleep and pacing matter more than one more topic.
Prepare your testing space: clear the desk, remove extra screens and devices, check lighting and seating, and confirm the room will be private for the whole session. Lay out your ID and charger.
Re-check the provider's site for any last-minute scheduling, launch, or check-in instructions, and confirm your login credentials work. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat, hydrate, and avoid heavy caffeine if it makes you jittery. Do not cram new material. Plug in your laptop, close all background apps, and silence your phone.
Join the check-in early (the provider usually recommends arriving ahead of your slot; confirm the exact window with them). Have your ID ready and be prepared for a room scan.
Read each scenario fully before answering, and watch for qualifiers such as 'first', 'best', 'most likely', and 'least'. SRE scenario items often hinge on ordering and prioritization rather than raw recall.
Pace against the clock: note how many items and how much time you have, and set rough checkpoints. Flag and move past anything that stalls you, then return if time allows.
Answer every item; unless the provider states otherwise, unanswered items score as incorrect. If a technical problem occurs, stay calm, note the time, and contact the proctor immediately through the provided channel.
Rules to check
Present a valid government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. If your legal name differs from your registration, resolve it with the provider before exam day.
Stay on camera and in frame for the entire session, and follow the proctor's instructions for the initial room scan and any mid-exam checks.
Keep the testing room private. No other people, no talking to yourself aloud if the provider prohibits it, and no leaving the camera view without proctor permission.
Do not use unauthorized materials, devices, notes, or assistance, and do not attempt to capture, copy, or share exam content. Confirm the exact permitted-materials list with the provider rather than assuming.
Understand the break policy before you start: some exams allow scheduled breaks, others do not, and rules about leaving the view during a break differ by provider. Confirm with the provider.
Know the scoring model and the retake policy published by the provider. Do not rely on reported pass rates or passing scores from forums; verify on the official page.
Technical failures are handled per the provider's incident policy. Report problems to the proctor as they happen, and follow up in writing afterward if the issue affected your attempt.
Arrive before your scheduled start time per the provider's check-in window. Late arrival may forfeit your slot or fee depending on their policy, so confirm the deadline with the provider.