Craftsman Computer Aided Mechanical Drawing exam-day guide
Craftsman Computer Aided Mechanical Drawing · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a second form is required; do not rely on a photocopy or a phone image.
Admission or appointment confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your name, test site or remote-testing link, date, and start time. Re-read it the night before to catch any room, building, or check-in-time change.
Approved drafting instruments
Bring the pencils, eraser, sharpener, scales/rulers, compass, and set squares you normally use. Confirm with the provider which instruments are permitted at a computer-based station and whether any are supplied on site.
Non-programmable calculator (if permitted)
If the provider allows a calculator, bring a basic non-programmable model with fresh batteries. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are allowed at all and whether an on-screen calculator is provided instead.
Knowledge of the CAD commands and drawing standards in the syllabus
Re-read the official syllabus or competency list and confirm with the provider which CAD platform, version, and drawing standard (for example ISO or ASME conventions) the tasks are based on. Practise those commands rather than a different package.
Practice with the actual task format
Rehearse producing a complete drawing set under time: setting up layers and title block, drawing views, dimensioning, tolerancing, and plotting or exporting. Confirm with the provider whether you draw from scratch or edit a supplied file.
File-management and save habits
Know how to save, save-as, and export to PDF, and how to name files as instructed. Confirm with the provider where work must be saved and how it is submitted, since an unsaved or misnamed file may not be scored.
Site logistics plan
Check travel time, parking or transit, building entrance, and security screening. For remote testing, confirm the room, camera, and internet requirements with the provider in advance.
Arrival time and late-arrival policy
Arrive earlier than you think necessary. Confirm with the provider the required check-in time and what happens if you are late; seating and start times are set by the provider, not by the candidate.
Personal needs and comfort
Plan for water, a snack, and any medication according to site rules. Confirm with the provider what may be brought into the testing room and whether storage is available for bags and phones.
Break and timing policy
Confirm with the provider how many breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and whether you may leave the room. Do not assume breaks are permitted during a timed drawing task.
Scoring and resit information
Confirm with the provider the pass mark, how partial work is scored, and the resit or appeal process. Knowing whether dimensions, line types, or title-block data carry marks helps you allocate time.
Plan the day
Confirm every logistical detail with the provider: start time, check-in time, address or remote link, permitted instruments, calculator policy, and ID requirements. Resolve any unanswered question now rather than on test day.
Do one full timed rehearsal using the same CAD platform and a task type close to the exam. Produce a complete drawing with layers, views, dimensions, tolerances, and a plotted or exported file, then review it against a checklist of common errors.
Review the syllabus and your own weak spots: layer and line-type conventions, dimension placement, geometric tolerancing symbols, section and auxiliary views, and title-block fields. Fix errors in your rehearsal rather than learning new commands.
Prepare and pack the permitted kit. Test the calculator, sharpen pencils, check the compass, and print the confirmation. Keep the kit in one bag so nothing is forgotten.
Do a light review only: command locations, standard symbol meanings, and your personal error checklist. Stop heavy practice early enough to sleep well.
Re-check the provider's site instructions for any last-minute change. Set an alarm with margin, charge devices if remote testing is allowed, and lay out clothes and ID.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early, and complete check-in calmly. At the station, confirm the software version and default settings before the clock starts if the provider allows a setup period.
Read the whole task before drawing. Set up units, layers, and the title block first, then geometry, then dimensions and annotations, saving frequently. Watch the clock and leave time at the end to check the drawing and submit or export exactly as instructed.
Rules to check
Present the original government-issued photo ID in the registered name; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your name differs from your registration.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator or proctor, including seating, permitted materials, and conduct in the testing room. Confirm with the provider any rule you are unsure about before the exam begins.
Do not bring unauthorized materials, notes, or devices into the testing area, and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Confirm with the provider where phones and bags must be stored.
Work only on your own station and your own files. Do not access the internet, email, or shared drives unless the provider explicitly permits it for the task.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy; confirm in advance whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock pauses, and whether you must be escorted. Do not leave the room without permission.
Save and submit your work exactly as instructed. Confirm with the provider the required file name, format, and submission location, because work that is not submitted correctly may not be scored.
Scoring and the pass mark are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider how partial drawings are graded and what the resit or appeal process is; do not rely on secondhand claims.
If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the invigilator or proctor immediately and follow their instructions. Confirm with the provider in advance how lost time is handled.