ETiCPA ATQE Exam exam-day guide
ETiCPA ATQE Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm your appointment time, time zone, and delivery format
Log in to your candidate account and verify the exact start time in your local time zone, plus whether you are sitting remotely (proctored online) or at a test center. Save a screenshot of the confirmation. If anything is ambiguous, confirm with the provider in writing before test day.
Valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the original document, not a copy or a photo on your phone. The name on the ID should match the name on your registration; if your names differ (for example a maiden name or a shortened first name), confirm with the provider ahead of time how to handle it. Accepted ID types vary by region, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for your location.
Second form of identification (if required)
Some remote-proctoring setups ask for a second ID or a signature on a proctor form. This is not universal. Confirm with the provider whether a secondary ID is required for your delivery format before relying on it.
Your registration confirmation and candidate number
Have the confirmation email or candidate ID accessible, either printed or on a device you are not using for the exam. You may be asked for it at check-in or by a proctor.
A quiet, private, well-lit room (remote delivery)
Clear the desk of papers, phones, watches, and notes unless the provider explicitly permits specific items. Let household members know not to enter. Confirm with the provider which physical materials (blank paper, pen, calculator) are allowed, since rules differ between remote and test-center delivery.
Test your computer, camera, microphone, and internet beforehand
Run any system check the provider offers at least 24 hours ahead. Use a wired connection or stable Wi-Fi, close background apps, and have a phone available as a backup contact channel in case the proctor needs to reach you. If the system check fails, contact support immediately rather than on test morning.
Install or update any required proctoring software
Do this at least a day early so you have time to troubleshoot permissions, browser versions, and firewall prompts. Confirm with the provider which browser and operating system versions are supported.
Know what is allowed at your desk
Calculator, scratch paper, water, tissues, and reference sheets are commonly restricted but the exact list depends on the provider and delivery mode. Confirm with the provider and remove anything not explicitly permitted before you start.
Plan your travel or login buffer
For a test center, arrive with time to spare for check-in and security screening; for remote delivery, log in early to complete identity verification and room scan. Build in extra time for traffic, parking, or software updates.
Prepare a simple logistics plan for the day
Decide on meals, hydration, medication, and sleep timing so that nothing competes with concentration. Avoid starting the exam hungry, over-caffeinated, or after an unusually short night.
Have provider support contact details ready
Save the phone number or chat link for candidate support in case of a technical failure or identity-verification problem. Confirm with the provider which channel is fastest on test day.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets and error log, and re-read the areas where you have historically lost marks. Do one or two timed practice sets under realistic conditions to rehearse pacing, but avoid cramming unfamiliar topics that could undermine confidence. Verify your appointment details, ID, and delivery format once more, and confirm with the provider any open questions about permitted materials, breaks, or rescheduling. Protect sleep in these three nights; the last night is not the time to trade rest for review.
Complete the technical or travel logistics: run the system check or confirm your route and arrival time, charge devices, and lay out your ID and confirmation in one place. Do a light review of high-level frameworks and formulas rather than new content. Stop studying early enough to wind down, eat a normal meal, and get a full night's sleep. Reconfirm the start time in your local time zone, especially if you are sitting remotely across a time-zone boundary.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and avoid heavy caffeine if you are sensitive to it. Do a short warm-up of a few easy recall items rather than a full mock. Set up your space or arrive at the center with buffer time; for remote delivery, close other applications and start the check-in process early. Keep your ID and confirmation within reach and silence notifications on any device you are not using for the exam.
Read the instructions and any timing or navigation guidance carefully before starting, and note how many questions you have and how much time is allotted so you can pace yourself. Answer the straightforward items first, flag anything that needs more thought, and return to flagged items with the time remaining. Watch the clock at rough checkpoints rather than every question. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact the proctor or support through the approved channel; do not attempt to fix it by restarting on your own unless instructed. Confirm with the provider in advance how breaks work and whether the clock stops during them.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid identification that matches your registered name. If your documents or name details are unusual, confirm with the provider before test day rather than at check-in.
Follow the proctor's instructions at all times, including room scans, desk checks, and requests to adjust your camera. Non-compliance can lead to invalidation of your result.
Keep only permitted items at your desk. Phones, smart watches, notes, and secondary screens are typically prohibited during the exam; confirm with the provider which items, if any, are allowed in your delivery format.
Breaks are governed by provider policy and may or may not stop the clock. Confirm with the provider how breaks are scheduled, how many are allowed, and what you may do during them before you begin.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the proctor during the exam, and do not share, record, or reproduce exam content in any form afterward. Content is confidential and disclosure can result in score cancellation.
Report any technical failure or interruption to the proctor or support immediately and follow their instructions. Do not restart, disconnect, or troubleshoot independently, as this may affect whether your attempt is accepted.
Scoring, pass marks, and result timelines are set by the provider and may change. Confirm with the provider how and when results are released and what the appeals or rescheduling process is, rather than relying on secondhand information.
If you are ill, have an emergency, or cannot meet the technical requirements, contact the provider as early as possible to discuss options. Do not sit the exam and hope to resolve it afterward, since rescheduling rules vary and are time-sensitive.