RFP Module 5 exam-day guide
RFP Module 5 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required; do not rely on a photocopy or a digital image.
Confirmation of your appointment or eligibility
Keep the scheduling confirmation and any candidate ID or authorization number the provider issued. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is needed or a digital copy on your phone is acceptable.
Know the test delivery format
Confirm with the provider whether your sitting is at a test center, proctored online, or another format, and what that format requires. Your preparation for check-in, permitted materials, and breaks depends on this.
Permitted calculator or reference materials
Confirm in advance whether a calculator is allowed, what model or functions are permitted, and whether any reference tables are supplied on screen. Do not assume; some finance exams restrict or provide these differently.
Scratch paper and writing instrument policy
Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper, a marker board, or an on-screen notepad is provided and whether you may bring your own pen or pencil. Many centers supply materials and prohibit personal ones.
Arrival time and check-in window
Confirm the required arrival time, which is usually earlier than the appointment start, and the late-arrival cutoff. Plan to arrive with margin for security screening and ID verification.
Break rules and timing
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or unscheduled, whether the clock stops during breaks, and what you may access during them. This affects pacing and hydration strategy.
Scoring and result reporting
Confirm the passing score, whether scoring is criterion-referenced or scaled, and when and how results are released. Knowing this prevents post-exam surprises.
Logistics: route, parking, and building access
Recon the route and confirm parking or transit options and building entry procedures. For online sittings, confirm the room, equipment, and connection requirements with the provider.
Personal items storage
Confirm what happens to phones, watches, bags, and notes during the exam. Most providers require them stored away; confirm the policy so you are not caught off guard.
Sleep, meals, and medication plan
Plan normal sleep and a light meal before the sitting, and follow your usual medication routine. Avoid new caffeine or supplement habits on exam day.
Review your weak-topic summary sheet
Bring a one-page summary of your own error patterns and formulas to review in the final hour before check-in, then set it aside. Do not attempt new material on exam day.
Plan the day
Shift from new learning to consolidation. Re-read your error log and formula sheet, redo a small set of missed questions, and take at most one timed practice set to rehearse pacing. Confirm all logistics with the provider: appointment time, location or online setup, ID requirements, permitted materials, and break policy. Stop studying new topics; sleep on a normal schedule.
Do a light review of high-yield formulas and your personal weak spots only. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Confirm the route and set two alarms. Avoid heavy practice tests and late-night cramming; protect sleep.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and review only your summary sheet. Arrive at the test center with the margin the provider requires, or for an online sitting complete the room and equipment checks early. Leave personal items you cannot store at home. Stay calm and avoid last-minute debates with yourself over answers.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'least', 'most', and 'except'. Answer easy items first and flag uncertain ones to revisit. Budget time so you can review flagged items and confirm no question is left blank if the format penalizes omissions. Use breaks only as permitted and keep an eye on the clock.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second form is required.
Follow the provider's rules on personal items. Phones, smart watches, notes, and bags are typically stored away or prohibited in the testing room; confirm the exact policy before you arrive.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not attempt to record, photograph, or reproduce exam content. Attempting to do so can void your result.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy. Confirm whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock runs during them, and what materials you may access; do not leave the testing area without following the proctor's instructions.
Scoring is set by the provider. Confirm the passing standard, whether results are scaled, and when they are released; do not assume a raw percentage threshold.
If a technical problem or interruption occurs, stop and notify the proctor or support channel immediately and follow their instructions. Confirm the provider's incident policy in advance.
Arrive within the provider's check-in window. Late arrival may forfeit your seat or fee; confirm the cutoff and rescheduling policy with the provider.
Read the candidate agreement you accept at check-in. It governs conduct, confidentiality, and consequences for violations; ask the provider about anything unclear before the exam.