EDAC exam-day guide
EDAC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID whose name exactly matches your registration record. Accepted ID types vary by provider and testing partner, so confirm the accepted list before test day; an expired ID or a photocopy is commonly rejected.
Appointment confirmation / eligibility number
Have your confirmation email, appointment ID, or authorization-to-test number available, ideally saved offline on your phone as well as printed in case the testing site's network is slow.
Testing-mode details confirmed
Know whether your sitting is at a physical test center or remotely proctored, and re-read the provider's system requirements (camera, microphone, browser lock, bandwidth) if remote. Requirements differ by provider - confirm with the provider.
Approved calculator
Check the provider's calculator policy (permitted models, on-screen calculator availability, whether a built-in calculator is the only option). Bring an approved model only if the policy allows physical devices.
Candidate account credentials
Verify your username/password and any multi-factor authentication method work the day before. Password resets during a proctored session can consume test time.
Scratch materials
Many providers supply an erasable booklet or on-screen notepad and prohibit outside paper. Confirm what is provided versus permitted; do not assume you may bring your own.
Break supplies
If breaks are allowed, bring water and a snack you can consume quickly in the designated area. Confirm whether food and drink are permitted in the testing room.
Review the published blueprint
Re-read the provider's exam blueprint, domain weightings, and any published reference or formula list so your final review targets high-weight areas rather than new topics.
Know the reschedule/cancellation terms
Note the deadline and fee for rescheduling or cancelling. Weather, illness, or tech failure policies are provider-specific - confirm with the provider in advance, not on the day.
Travel or room-setup plan
For a test center, plan route, parking, and arrival so you are on site early. For remote delivery, reserve a quiet, well-lit, private room and arrange a backup internet option such as a phone hotspot.
Simple logistics kit
Bring a written note of the site address, proctor contact number, and your provider's technical-support number so you can report problems immediately if something fails.
Plan the day
Confirm appointment date, time, and time zone against your confirmation email; re-check ID validity and the accepted ID list. Verify your calculator and any permitted reference materials against the provider's policy. Do one or two short mixed-topic practice sets rather than full-length mocks, and stop studying new material you have not previously covered.
For remote sittings, run the platform's system check on the exact computer and network you will use, and test camera, microphone, and browser. For test centers, confirm travel time, parking, and building/room location. Re-read the blueprint and your own summary notes; list any formulas or definitions you keep forgetting on a single page for light review.
Do a light review only: skim your one-page summary sheet and the provider's candidate rules. Pack your ID, confirmation number, calculator, and break supplies in one place. Set two alarms, confirm the start time in local time, and get a full night's sleep - do not attempt a late-night cram.
Eat a normal meal, arrive at the center or open your remote session well before the scheduled start, and leave buffer time for check-in and ID verification. Avoid reviewing heavy new material; if you review at all, use only your summary sheet. Close unnecessary applications and silence notifications before a remote proctored session begins.
Read the on-screen instructions and tutorial carefully, confirm the number of questions and any section timers, and note how to flag items for review and how to request assistance. If a tutorial is optional, still use it to learn the interface.
Work in passes: answer questions you know, flag long or uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock against the number of remaining questions rather than against an ideal pace. If you must guess, eliminate options first - confirm the provider's guessing policy, since many exams do not penalize wrong answers.
Leave a short buffer to clear flags and ensure no question is left blank if blanks are scored as incorrect. Before submitting, confirm you have not skipped a section or left required fields empty, then submit and keep your confirmation or completion receipt.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration exactly. Name mismatches are a common cause of being turned away, and the accepted ID list is provider-specific - confirm with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorized materials into the testing area. Phones, smart watches, notes, and outside paper are typically prohibited; if you are unsure whether an item is allowed (calculator model, reference sheet), confirm with the provider before test day rather than risk a conduct finding.
You generally cannot pause the clock for unscheduled breaks during a timed section. Confirm the scheduled-break policy, whether breaks count against your time, and whether you must remain on camera during a remote sitting - confirm with the provider.
Read the scoring policy before you sit: whether unanswered questions are scored as incorrect, whether there is a penalty for guessing, and how scaled scores are reported. Do not assume a penalty structure carried over from another exam.
Follow all proctor instructions, including room scans, desk clearances, and identity verification steps. Refusing or failing a required check can end the session.
Report technical problems immediately - do not troubleshoot silently. Note the time, the error message, and the support ticket number, as providers usually require timely documentation to consider remedies.
Request any testing accommodations (extra time, separate room, assistive software) well before test day. Accommodations are typically approved in advance and are rarely granted on the day of the exam - confirm with the provider.
Any suspected misconduct, including communicating with others, using unauthorized aids, or copying exam content, can result in a voided score and further sanctions under the provider's integrity policy. The exact procedures and appeal rights are defined in the provider's candidate handbook.