CAS exam-day guide
CAS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Admission confirmation / scheduling receipt
Have your appointment confirmation and any candidate ID number available, printed or on your phone. Confirm with the provider whether printed copies are mandatory.
Know your test delivery format and location
Verify whether you are testing at a physical test center or via remote proctoring, and the exact address or software link. Reconfirm the start time in the local time zone of the test site.
Allowed calculator or reference materials
Check the current candidate handbook for the approved calculator model and any provided formula sheets. Do not assume a personal calculator is permitted; confirm with the provider.
Review the test-center or remote-proctoring rules
Know the policies on personal items, electronics, scratch paper, and room requirements. For remote testing, run the system check and confirm your workspace meets the proctor's rules.
Plan your arrival and buffer time
Arrive earlier than the stated reporting time to allow for check-in and security screening. For remote testing, log in early to complete identity verification.
Confirm break policy and timing
Check how many breaks are allowed, whether they are timed, and what you may access during them. Policies vary; confirm with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
Know the scoring and result timeline
Understand whether results are immediate or delayed, and how the passing standard is reported. Confirm with the provider how and when official results are released.
Prepare for the no-electronics rule
Plan to store your phone, smartwatch, and other devices as instructed. Do not wear devices that could be mistaken for prohibited electronics.
Rest, hydration, and a light meal
Prioritize sleep in the final 24 hours and eat a normal meal before the test. Avoid trying new caffeine levels or supplements on exam day.
Emergency contact and backup plan
Save the provider's contact number for scheduling or technical issues. Know what to do if you are delayed or your remote session fails to launch.
Confirm special accommodations in advance
If you requested accommodations, verify they are approved and noted on your appointment. Bring any required documentation only if the provider instructs you to. needs_review
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Re-read your own summary sheets and error log, and do short timed sets on weak areas only. Confirm your appointment time, location or link, and ID requirements with the provider. Prepare your bag and test-day clothes, and check travel or internet backup plans. Protect sleep: aim for consistent bed and wake times starting now.
Do one light review pass over high-yield formulas, definitions, and process steps, then stop. Do not take a full-length practice test the day before; it adds fatigue without much benefit. Lay out your ID, confirmation, and approved materials. Confirm the reporting time and set two alarms. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Recheck the appointment time and route or remote-testing link. Leave early with buffer time; for remote testing, start the system check well before the start time. Leave phones and smartwatches stored as required. Arrive calm and avoid last-minute cramming in the waiting area.
Follow proctor instructions exactly. Present your ID, complete any biometric or photo steps, and store personal items where directed. If a rule is unclear, ask the proctor before the timer starts rather than guessing.
Read the instructions and note the number of questions and time allowed. Do a first pass answering what you know, flagging uncertain items, and skipping time sinks. Watch the clock and reserve time to review flagged questions. Use allowed breaks as planned; take them even if you feel fine, to reset focus. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor immediately and note the time.
Follow the provider's instructions on receiving results and whether any score report is issued at the center. Keep your confirmation and any receipts. If you need to retake, check the waiting period and scheduling rules with the provider before booking.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name exactly. If your ID name differs, contact the provider before test day; do not assume a correction can be made at check-in.
Follow all proctor instructions and test-center or remote-testing rules. Unauthorized materials, electronics, or communication during the test can lead to dismissal or score cancellation.
Do not share, record, or reproduce exam content. Most certification programs prohibit disclosing questions or answers; treat all exam material as confidential.
Understand the break policy before you start. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are timed, whether the clock stops, and what you may access during them.
Know how scoring works and what constitutes a pass. Confirm with the provider whether results are immediate or delayed and how the passing standard is set.
If a technical or personal issue occurs during the test, notify the proctor immediately and document the time and details. Do not attempt to fix remote-testing problems alone without informing the proctor.
Arrive or log in by the stated reporting time. Late arrival may result in forfeiture of your appointment or fees; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy in advance.
Keep your admission confirmation and any score report. You may need them for retake scheduling, reimbursement, or verification; confirm with the provider what documentation is issued.