Certification AMF exam-day guide
Certification AMF · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm your test appointment, time, and delivery format
Log into your account with the certification body or its testing provider and re-read the confirmation email. Note whether you sit the exam at a test centre or by remote proctoring, since the two have different check-in steps. If anything looks wrong (name spelling, date, time zone), contact the provider before test day rather than at the desk.
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The name on the ID should match the name on your registration. Acceptable document types vary by country and provider, so confirm the exact list with the provider in advance; a passport is the safest choice for most candidates.
Second form of identification if required
Some providers ask for a second ID or a signature-bearing card. This is not universal, so confirm with the provider whether one is needed and in what form before you travel.
Your appointment confirmation number or candidate ID
Keep it accessible on paper or offline on your phone. Reception staff may ask for it at check-in, and it speeds up any issue resolution if your registration does not appear in the system.
Arrival plan with a time buffer
Plan to arrive well before your start time; a common expectation is 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in and ID verification, but confirm the exact window with the provider. Build in extra time for transport delays, security screening, and finding the room.
Know what is prohibited and leave it behind
Phones, smart watches, notes, and study materials are almost always banned from the testing room. Lockers or bags may be available but are not guaranteed. Confirm the provider's list of prohibited items and where to store personal belongings.
Remote-proctoring setup checked in advance (if applicable)
For online delivery, test your camera, microphone, browser, and internet connection on the same equipment and location you will use. Run any required system check ahead of time. Confirm with the provider the room and desk requirements, since rules on cleared desks, closed doors, and permitted items differ between providers.
Understand the exam format and timing
Know the number of questions, the time limit, and whether questions are multiple choice, multiple response, or include scenario items. Confirm whether any break is scheduled or whether the clock runs continuously. These details are published by the provider; check them rather than relying on forum posts.
Know the scoring and pass rule
Confirm the passing score and whether scoring is criterion-referenced (a fixed cut score) or scaled. The certification body publishes this. Knowing whether unanswered questions are penalised helps you decide whether to guess; confirm the guessing policy with the provider.
A simple plan for the day before
Avoid new material and cramming the night before. A short review of your own summary notes and a full night's sleep will do more for you than a late session. Prepare clothes, ID, and travel details the evening before so the morning is calm.
Water and a light snack for before the test
Hydration and a light meal support concentration. Check whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting area or at the desk; many testing rooms prohibit them, so finish eating beforehand.
A fallback contact for the provider
Save the provider's candidate support phone number or email in case of a last-minute problem such as a cancelled appointment or a technical failure. Note that policies on rescheduling, refunds, and technical incidents vary, so confirm them with the provider in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: appointment time, address or remote session link, ID requirements, and prohibited items. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook or rules page so nothing on test day is a surprise. Check transport routes and plan arrival with a buffer.
Do a final content pass using your own condensed notes, focusing on weak areas identified in practice. Stop introducing new topics. If you use practice questions, review the reasoning behind wrong answers rather than memorising items.
If you are testing remotely, run a full technical rehearsal: camera, microphone, browser check, and a stable connection in the room you will use. Clear the desk area as the provider requires and confirm the check-in process and timing.
Pack what you will bring: ID, confirmation number, and any permitted items. Lay out clothes and confirm your alarm and travel plan. Avoid alcohol and a late night; sleep is the highest-value preparation at this point.
Do a light review only, no more than an hour or two, of summary sheets and formulas or frameworks you tend to forget. Then stop. Confirm the exact start time in your local time zone, especially if the appointment was booked in a different zone.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate, and arrive early. Leave your phone and smart watch stowed as instructed. Bring only permitted items to the desk. Use the restroom before check-in, since break rules may be strict.
Present your ID and confirmation, follow the proctor's instructions, and ask about break rules and the clock before you start. If a technical problem occurs, raise it immediately with the proctor rather than trying to fix it silently.
Read each question fully, including qualifiers such as 'except' or 'best'. Answer the ones you know first and flag uncertain items if the interface allows. Watch the clock and reserve time to review flagged questions. If guessing is not penalised, leave no blanks; confirm the policy beforehand.
Note your provisional result if one is shown, and confirm with the provider when and how official results and any certificate are issued. Keep your score report and candidate ID for future reference or recertification.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo identification that matches your registered name. Photocopies, expired documents, and digital images are generally not accepted. The exact list of acceptable documents is set by the provider, so confirm it before test day.
Arrive within the provider's stated check-in window. Candidates who arrive late may be refused entry or have their time reduced, and policies on late arrival and rescheduling differ between providers, so confirm the rules with the provider.
Do not bring prohibited items into the testing room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and study aids are normally banned, and possession during the test can lead to invalidation. Confirm where belongings may be stored.
Follow all proctor instructions and the provider's code of conduct. Attempted cheating, communicating with others, or leaving the testing area without permission can result in score cancellation and further sanctions under the certification body's rules.
Break rules vary. Some exams have no scheduled breaks and the clock runs continuously; others allow breaks with specific conditions. Ask the proctor before you begin and confirm the policy with the provider in advance.
Scoring and the pass mark are set by the certification body, not by the test centre. Confirm the passing score, whether unanswered questions are penalised, and how and when results are released. Do not rely on second-hand claims about the cut score.
If a technical failure or other incident occurs during the test, report it to the proctor or support line immediately and keep a record. Policies on retests and incident handling are provider-specific, so confirm the process with the provider.
Keep your result report and candidate records. Recertification and verification requirements are set by the certification body; confirm the validity period and renewal rules with the provider rather than assuming them.