IAAP CAP exam-day guide
IAAP CAP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original (not a photocopy) and make sure the name matches your registration exactly. Accepted ID types vary by testing provider, so confirm the list with your provider before test day. A name mismatch can prevent you from testing.
Appointment confirmation and any launch/eligibility code
Have your confirmation email, appointment number, and login credentials handy. Some providers require a launch code or an eligibility ID from IAAP; confirm with the provider whether your appointment uses one.
Login credentials for your IAAP and testing-platform accounts
Verify you can sign in to both accounts at least 24 hours ahead. Reset a forgotten password early rather than during check-in.
Completed system/pre-flight check
Run the provider's equipment check on the same computer and network you will use on test day. Confirm supported operating system, browser version, and any required secure-browser download with the provider.
Working webcam, microphone, and speakers
Most remote-proctored exams require all three. Test them during the system check and have a backup headset with mic available if permitted.
Reliable internet with a backup option
Wired ethernet is preferable to Wi-Fi. Have a mobile hotspot or phone tethering ready as a fallback, and confirm with the provider whether switching connections mid-exam is allowed.
Quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk
Remove papers, phones, smart watches, second monitors, and any notes from the desk and surrounding area. Confirm with the provider what, if anything, is permitted on the desk.
Power supply and charger
Plug in your laptop and keep the charger connected for the full session. Close background apps, notifications, and auto-updates beforehand.
Approved accommodations confirmation (if applicable)
If you requested extra time or another accommodation, bring or have access to the approval notice. Accommodations generally must be approved in advance; confirm the process and deadlines with the provider.
Written confirmation of scratch-paper / whiteboard policy
Rules differ between providers and delivery modes. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, a physical whiteboard, or an on-screen notepad is allowed and how it must be shown or destroyed.
Confirmed appointment time in your local time zone
Double-check whether the time on your confirmation is shown in your local zone or the provider's. Also confirm the check-in window (how early to log in) with the provider.
Exam blueprint and your personal weak-area summary
Bring one page of your own summary notes for the final review only - not to use during the exam. Confirm the current domain list and weightings on the IAAP website, since the credential's structure and requirements can change.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment date, time, and time zone. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook (ID, room, and materials rules). Run a full system check on your intended computer and network. Verify any accommodation approvals are in place. Keep review light: revisit your two weakest domains and your own summary notes rather than starting new material.
Take one short practice set or self-quiz to check pacing, then stop. Confirm you can log in to your IAAP and testing-platform accounts. Plan your backup internet and a quiet room you can secure for the full session plus check-in time.
Repeat the system check. Charge laptop, headset, and phone; pack your ID and confirmation email. Tell your household your exam window so interruptions are avoided. Get a normal night's sleep. Review only high-level frameworks and definitions - no cramming new topics.
Eat and hydrate normally. Do a 15–20 minute skim of your summary notes, then close them. Silence and stow your phone unless the provider requires it as a camera. Close all other applications. Have your ID and confirmation within reach.
Log in at the point the provider instructs - commonly 15–30 minutes before your appointment; confirm the exact window. Complete ID verification and the room scan if required. Follow the proctor's instructions exactly and ask before reaching for anything.
Read each question fully and watch for 'except' and multi-part wording. Answer the confident items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Track your pace against the number of items and time allowed (confirm both with the provider in advance). Use only permitted materials. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact the proctor immediately.
Note how and when results are reported and how to access your score report. Record any case number if you had a technical issue. Do not discuss specific exam content with others - treat questions as confidential.
Rules to check
Identification: the name on your photo ID must match your registration. If your name has changed or is spelled differently, resolve it with the provider before test day; a mismatch may bar you from testing.
Materials: bring only what the provider explicitly permits. Phones, smart watches, notes, and second screens are generally prohibited during a proctored session, and unauthorized materials can void your result. Confirm the permitted-items list in advance.
Room and behavior: you will typically be recorded and observed for the full session. Stay in view of the camera, avoid reading aloud if instructed not to, and do not communicate with anyone else in the room.
Breaks: break policy varies by delivery mode. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops. Leaving the camera view without permission may end your session.
Confidentiality: exam content is confidential. Do not reproduce, photograph, record, or discuss specific questions or answer choices afterward.
Scoring: results are reported by the provider against a passing standard set in advance; you do not lose points for guessing unless the provider states otherwise. Confirm the current passing score, score-report timing, and retake/waiting policy with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
Technical failures: if the platform freezes or disconnects, contact the proctor or support line immediately, note the time, and request a case number. Do not attempt to restart or reinstall software on your own mid-exam.
Accommodations and scheduling changes: accommodations and reschedules are handled in advance through the provider. Same-day requests usually cannot be honored; confirm deadlines and any fees with the provider.