CDGT exam-day guide
CDGT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID the testing provider requires; the name must match your registration. Accepted ID types and name-change documentation vary by provider, so confirm the specific requirements with your exam provider before test day.
Appointment confirmation and candidate ID number
Have your confirmation email, scheduling number, and any candidate or eligibility ID ready. You may be asked for these at check-in or if there is a seating or system problem.
Login credentials for your testing account
If you test online or via a proctoring platform, verify your username and password in advance and keep them accessible. Do not rely on autofill or a password stored only on a device you will not use.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator knowledge
Determine whether a physical calculator is permitted or only an on-screen one is provided. If a physical model is allowed, bring only a permitted type; confirm the allowed models and any memory-clearing requirement with the provider.
Test-center logistics: address, arrival time, parking or transit
Reconfirm the test center address and required arrival time shortly before the exam. Plan for traffic, security screening, and check-in; arriving late can result in being turned away. Confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Remote-testing room and equipment check
If testing remotely, confirm your room meets the provider's requirements for privacy and desk clearance, and test your camera, microphone, and internet connection ahead of time. Keep chargers and a backup connection plan ready.
Permitted items only in the testing area
Know what is allowed at your desk. Phones, smart watches, notes, and most personal items are typically prohibited or must be stored; the exact list and storage rules vary, so confirm them with the provider.
Review of break and timing rules
Understand whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops, and what you may access during a break. These rules differ by delivery format, so verify them for your specific appointment.
Scratch paper and writing instrument policy
Confirm whether scratch paper, a whiteboard, or an on-screen notepad is provided and whether you must bring your own pencil. Unapproved materials can be treated as a violation.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep, a light meal, and hydration before the exam. Avoid unfamiliar caffeine or medication on test day. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at your seat or only during breaks.
Score-report and result-timing expectations
Know how and when results are delivered and whether a preliminary score is shown at the end. Confirm the reporting timeline and any score-validity rules with the provider.
Emergency contact and provider support number
Save the provider's support contact so you can report a technical failure or emergency promptly. Confirm the correct number and any documentation you would need for a retest or reschedule request.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets and error log, redo a small number of missed questions, and stop heavy new-topic study. Confirm appointment details, ID requirements, calculator policy, and test-center or remote-testing logistics in writing. Prepare the items you will bring and lay them out. Protect sleep: keep bed and wake times steady for these three nights rather than cramming.
Do a light, timed mixed set only if it builds confidence, then stop. Re-read the instructions and interface guide so navigation, flagging, and review screens are familiar. Check your route or your remote-testing setup one last time, charge devices, and confirm the start time in local time. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual hour. Do not start a new resource or a full-length practice exam the night before.
Wake with enough buffer to avoid rushing. Eat a light meal you tolerate well and limit fluids if breaks are restricted. Dress in layers for variable room temperature. Arrive at the test center early or, for remote testing, log in early and complete the system and room checks. Leave prohibited items stored as instructed. Do a brief breathing or pacing routine to settle nerves, and avoid last-minute discussion of difficult topics with other candidates.
Read the instructions and confirm the time remaining before starting. Do an initial pass answering questions you know and flagging uncertain ones rather than stalling. Watch the clock against the number of items left and adjust pace. Use breaks only as permitted and return on time. Before submitting, review flagged items and confirm no question is unanswered if the format penalizes blanks. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact the proctor or support immediately rather than troubleshooting alone.
Note the questions or topics that felt weakest while memory is fresh, and record any technical issues and the support reference number. Follow the provider's process for accessing your score report and, if needed, for requesting a retest or raising a concern.
Rules to check
Bring and present the ID required by the testing provider, with your name matching your registration exactly. If your ID name differs, confirm the accepted documentation with the provider before test day.
Follow all proctor and administrator instructions. Proctors may verify your identity, inspect your workspace, and direct you during the exam; comply promptly and ask before acting if unsure.
Keep only permitted items at your workstation. Phones, smart watches, notes, and other personal items are generally restricted or must be stored; the exact list and storage rules vary by provider, so confirm them in advance.
Do not communicate with other candidates or seek or give assistance during the exam. Unauthorized communication, materials, or devices can lead to score cancellation or other consequences under the provider's rules.
Understand the break policy before you begin: whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock continues, and what you may access. Confirm these details for your specific appointment rather than assuming.
Understand how the exam is scored and whether wrong or blank answers are penalized. If there is no penalty for guessing, answer every question; confirm the scoring and guessing rules with the provider.
Report any technical failure, interruption, or rule concern to the proctor or support immediately and note the time and reference number. Do not attempt to resolve platform problems on your own.
Confirm the provider's policies on rescheduling, late arrival, and score validity, and keep your confirmation documents until results are issued. Do not rely on unofficial sources for these policies.