COM-FSM Placement exam-day guide
COM-FSM Placement · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring your passport or another government-issued photo ID. Confirm with the provider which specific forms of ID are accepted and whether a second piece is required.
Admission or appointment confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Testing location and arrival time
Confirm the exact address, building, room, and how early you must arrive. Confirm with the provider whether late arrivals are admitted.
Approved calculator policy
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed, provided on-screen, or prohibited, and which models are permitted.
Scratch paper and writing tools
Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper and pencils are supplied or whether you must bring your own.
Personal items storage plan
Plan where your phone, bag, and watch will go. Confirm with the provider what must be left outside the testing room.
Transportation and backup plan
Know your route and arrival buffer, and have a backup transport option in case of delays.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep and a light meal beforehand. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the testing room.
Accommodations request status
If you need testing accommodations, confirm with the provider that your request was approved and how it will be applied on test day.
Review of test format and timing
Know the number of sections, question types, and time limits. Confirm with the provider any details you cannot verify from official materials.
Contact information for the testing center
Save the provider's phone number so you can report delays or ask questions on the day.
Emergency contact and identification backup
Carry a secondary ID or a copy of your registration in case of an issue at check-in.
Plan the day
Confirm your registration, test time, location, and ID requirements with the provider. Do light review of formats and directions only; avoid cramming new material.
Prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, and any approved items. Arrange transportation and check the weather and traffic outlook.
Do a short, low-stress review of test directions and timing. Set two alarms and go to bed at a normal hour.
Avoid heavy study, alcohol, and unfamiliar food. Charge your phone and confirm your ride or route.
Eat a light, familiar meal, dress comfortably in layers, and leave early with a buffer for delays.
Check in per the provider's instructions, store personal items as directed, and ask staff any questions before the test begins.
Read directions carefully, pace yourself by section, and answer easier questions first if the format allows returning to items.
Use breaks only as permitted, note where you left off, and return promptly. Ask the proctor if you are unsure about any rule.
Rules to check
Bring the ID the provider requires and present it at check-in; confirm with the provider which forms are accepted.
Follow all proctor instructions about personal items, electronics, and what may be on your desk.
Do not communicate with other test-takers during the test; raise your hand to speak to the proctor.
Confirm with the provider the rules on breaks, including whether they are scheduled or unscheduled and whether the clock stops.
Confirm with the provider how the test is scored, including whether wrong answers count against you and how sections are weighted.
Confirm with the provider the policy on leaving early, returning after a break, and what happens if you arrive late.
Report any testing irregularity or equipment problem to the proctor immediately and ask how it will be documented.
Confirm with the provider how and when scores are reported and how to request a review if you believe there was an error.