MAC exam-day guide
MAC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. Confirm with the provider which specific ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Appointment confirmation and registration/candidate ID number
Have the confirmation email or number accessible (printed or on paper, since phones are usually not allowed at the workstation) in case staff need to locate your booking.
Second form of identification, if required
Some providers require two IDs or one ID plus a signature-bearing card. Confirm with the provider whether a second document is required for your exam.
Exact test location, parking, and travel plan
For a test centre, confirm the address and building/floor the day before; for online proctoring, confirm your room meets the provider's requirements (private, clear desk, working camera and microphone).
Arrival time and check-in window
Plan to arrive ahead of your appointment. The exact early-arrival window and the cutoff after which you may be refused entry are set by the provider - confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Testing platform login credentials
Verify you can sign in to the candidate account or proctoring platform before exam day, and that you know how to recover the password.
Approved calculator, scratch paper, or reference materials
Only bring what the provider explicitly permits. Confirm with the provider whether an on-screen calculator is supplied, whether scratch material is provided and collected, and whether any formula sheet is allowed.
Leave prohibited items behind or plan storage
Phones, smartwatches, notes, study sheets, and bags are normally excluded from the testing room; many centres provide a locker. Ask what storage is available if you must travel with these items.
One-page summary of the exam blueprint and your weak topics
A short outline of domains and weightings plus your personal trouble spots - read it before check-in, not during the exam.
Water and a light snack for the break
Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled or scheduled breaks are permitted and whether access to personal items is allowed during them.
Review the candidate handbook and non-disclosure agreement
Read the conduct and confidentiality terms in advance so you know what is and is not allowed during the session.
Backup plan for technology failure (online exams)
Know the provider's support number or contact channel and keep a charged phone nearby but outside the testing area, so you can report a disconnection without breaking the rules.
Plan the day
Re-read the exam blueprint and your notes on the highest-weight domains. Take one short timed practice set to calibrate pacing, then stop adding new material. Confirm your appointment time, location or proctoring setup, and the ID requirements with the provider.
Prepare your ID, confirmation details, and permitted materials in one place. For online exams, run the system/equipment check and test your camera, microphone and internet. Resolve any name mismatch on your registration now, not on exam day.
Do a light review of summary sheets only - no new topics, no cramming. Confirm travel or room setup, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep. Avoid scheduling anything demanding right before or after the exam.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in early per the provider's window, and keep the pre-exam review minimal. Bring only what is permitted; store everything else. Do not start a last-minute study session that will spike anxiety.
Follow staff or proctor instructions exactly, present your ID, accept the confidentiality agreement, and ask about break rules or scratch material before the timer starts.
Do a quick pass of the interface tutorial, note the time budget and question count, and decide your flag-and-return strategy. Answer every question - there is usually no penalty for guessing - and use remaining time to review flagged items rather than to second-guess confident answers.
Confirm no questions are left blank, submit, and note how and when results are reported. Keep any score report or confirmation you receive.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired identification in the name used at registration; if your legal name differs, contact the provider in advance about the documentation needed. Confirm the accepted ID types with the provider.
Scheduling, rescheduling and cancellation deadlines, plus any associated fees, are set by the provider - confirm the exact terms in your confirmation notice before changing anything.
Electronic devices, notes, and study materials are generally not permitted in the testing area. Confirm with the provider what is allowed at your specific venue or for your online session.
Break rules vary by exam: some allow scheduled breaks that do not count against your time, others do not. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted and whether you may access personal items.
The exam and all its content are confidential. Sharing, reproducing, or discussing specific questions afterward may violate the candidate agreement, and testing providers may act on such reports.
Scoring and pass standards are determined by the provider, typically using a scaled score or criterion-referenced cut score rather than a simple percentage. Confirm the reporting method and score validity period with the provider.
If a technology failure, illness, or other emergency occurs, stop and notify the proctor or provider support immediately; requests for a retake or reschedule are handled case by case under the provider's policy.