NAA CAPS exam-day guide
NAA CAPS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the same ID you used for registration, with a signature and a recognizable photo. The name must match your registration record. If your ID uses a different name form (maiden name, shortened name), confirm with the provider before test day which document is acceptable.
Scheduling confirmation and test-center address
Print or save your appointment confirmation. Verify the exact test-center address and arrival time the day before; test centers in shared buildings can be hard to find. If you are testing remotely, confirm the platform link and system check requirements with the provider.
Two forms of ID if required
Some providers require a second ID or a signature-bearing card. Confirm the exact ID policy with the provider; do not assume one photo ID is enough.
Arrival time and check-in window
Arrive at least 30 minutes early unless your confirmation states otherwise. Late arrivals may be refused entry or lose their seat fee. Confirm the cutoff with the provider.
What is allowed in the testing room
Most providers prohibit notes, phones, and smart watches in the testing room. Confirm whether a locker is provided and what personal items may be stored. Do not bring study materials into the room.
Calculator policy
Confirm with the provider whether an on-screen calculator is provided, whether a physical calculator is permitted, and which models are allowed. Do not assume a personal calculator is allowed.
Scratch paper and writing instrument policy
Many providers supply scratch paper and a pencil and prohibit bringing your own. Confirm the rule with the provider so you are not surprised at check-in.
Break policy and timing
Confirm whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops during breaks, and whether you may leave the testing room. Plan hydration and medication around the stated policy.
Comfort items permitted by policy
Water, snacks, and medication may be allowed only outside the testing room or only with prior approval. Confirm with the provider and bring only what is permitted.
Accessibility or accommodation approval
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodation, confirm that approval is already on file and appears on your confirmation. Requests made on test day are usually not granted.
Rest and logistics plan
Plan travel, parking, and a backup route. Sleep and a normal meal matter more than last-minute cramming. Confirm parking or transit details with the test center in advance.
Scoring and reporting expectations
Confirm with the provider how and when results are released, what score scale is used, and whether a pass/fail threshold applies. Do not rely on secondhand reports of the passing standard.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own error log and the topics you have missed most often. Confirm appointment details, ID, travel plan, and any accommodation approval. Stop studying new content that you cannot reinforce in the time left. Confirm the calculator, scratch paper, and break policies with the provider now, not on test morning.
Do a light review of formulas, definitions, and high-level frameworks only. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items the night before. Check the test-center location and travel time, including traffic or transit disruptions. Set two alarms. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals, and aim for a normal night of sleep rather than an early one that leaves you awake in bed.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive early and allow buffer time for check-in and security screening. Leave study materials and your phone outside the testing room or in the permitted storage. Read the check-in instructions carefully and ask staff about anything unclear before the clock starts.
Read each question fully before answering. Answer the easy questions first and flag difficult ones for review if the platform allows it. Watch the clock and budget time per question based on the total item count. Use scheduled breaks as permitted, and do not discuss content with other candidates. If a technical problem occurs, raise your hand immediately and ask staff to document it before time resumes.
Rules to check
Bring the ID that matches your registration exactly. If your name forms differ, confirm with the provider before test day what documentation is acceptable.
Arrive by the stated check-in time. Late arrival may result in refusal of entry or forfeiture of fees; confirm the cutoff with the provider.
Do not bring notes, phones, smart watches, or other prohibited devices into the testing room. Confirm permitted items and storage options with the provider in advance.
Follow the calculator and scratch-paper rules exactly. Confirm with the provider whether an on-screen or physical calculator is allowed and which models qualify.
Breaks are governed by provider policy. Confirm whether the clock stops, whether you may leave the room, and what you may access during a break.
Results, scoring scale, and any passing threshold are set by the provider. Confirm how and when scores are reported rather than relying on unofficial sources.
Report any technical failure or irregularity to staff immediately and ask that it be documented. Do not attempt to resolve platform problems yourself.
Maintain exam integrity: do not communicate about exam content with other candidates, and do not reproduce or share questions after the test.