NAEC CAT exam-day guide
NAEC CAT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID with a signature and photo, and make sure the name matches the name on your registration exactly. If your registration name differs (for example, a shortened first name), contact the provider before test day to correct it. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted, since rules on expired IDs and photocopies vary.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your test date, time, and location or online test link. Some providers require the confirmation number at check-in; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Know your exact reporting time and arrival buffer
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start unless the provider states otherwise. Late arrivals may be refused entry and fees forfeited, so plan transit with a buffer and check local traffic or parking in advance.
Review the provider's current candidate handbook
Download the latest candidate bulletin from the provider's website and read the sections on test-day procedures, permitted items, and scoring. Policies change; do not rely on secondhand summaries or forum posts.
Confirm what personal items are prohibited
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are typically not allowed in the testing room. Confirm with the provider where to store belongings and whether a secure locker is available.
Check the calculator and scratch-paper policy
If the exam permits a calculator, confirm whether it must be an on-screen tool, a provider-supplied model, or your own approved device, and whether scratch paper or a marker board is provided. Do not assume; confirm with the provider.
Plan breaks and medication needs in advance
If you need to take medication or have an accommodation, request it through the provider's accommodation process well before test day. Unscheduled breaks may be limited or may not stop the clock; confirm with the provider.
Prepare a light snack and water for before or after the test
Eat a normal meal beforehand and bring water for the period outside the testing room. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting area and whether breaks permit access to them.
Sleep and logistics plan
Set two alarms, confirm your route and backup route, and get a full night's sleep the two nights before. Avoid last-minute cramming the morning of the test.
Know the score-report and retake basics
Confirm when and how results are released and what the retake or appeal policy is, so you know what to expect after the test. Details vary, so confirm with the provider.
Read the testing-center or online-proctoring rules
For an online test, run the system check, test your camera and microphone, and clear your desk area. For a center, review the check-in and security screening steps. Confirm with the provider which platform and checks apply.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's candidate-services number in case of illness, transit failure, or a technical problem on test day. Confirm with the provider how to report an emergency and whether rescheduling is possible.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook for test-day rules and permitted items, and confirm your appointment time and location or online test link. Verify your ID name matches your registration and resolve any mismatch now. Stop learning new material and switch to reviewing summaries, formulas, and weak areas you have already studied.
Do one timed practice set under exam-like conditions, then review only the errors. Prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, and any approved items. Check the weather and transit plan, and decide your departure time with a buffer.
Do a light review of high-yield summaries and key terms, no more than a couple of hours. Confirm your alarm, route, and backup plan. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not start new topics or take a full-length practice test the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast, dress in layers, and leave earlier than you think necessary. Bring only the approved items. Arrive at the center or log in to the proctoring platform early. Do a brief calm breathing exercise and skim only your one-page summary; avoid discussing questions with other candidates.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'except' or 'best'. Answer easier questions first if the platform allows navigation, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Track your pace against the number of questions and remaining time. Use only permitted breaks; confirm with the provider whether break time counts against your test time. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor immediately rather than troubleshooting alone.
Note how you felt about specific topic areas while it is fresh, in case you need to retake. Confirm how and when results will be released. Do not attempt to reconstruct or share exam content with others.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID required by the provider; the name must match your registration. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before test day.
Arrive before the reporting time. Candidates who arrive late may be denied entry and may forfeit their fee; the exact cutoff is set by the provider, so confirm it in the candidate handbook.
Leave prohibited items outside the testing room. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are generally not permitted, and unauthorized items may lead to dismissal. Confirm the storage arrangements with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions, including any security screening, and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Attempting to copy, share, or reproduce exam content violates the candidate agreement and can void your score.
Breaks are governed by provider policy. Some exams offer scheduled breaks and others do not, and break time may or may not count against your test time; confirm the rule with the provider and plan hydration accordingly.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider and may use scaled scores rather than a simple percentage. Do not assume a raw percentage is the passing mark; confirm the scoring method and score-report timing with the provider.
If you are ill or face an emergency, contact the provider as soon as possible to ask about rescheduling. Whether a fee applies depends on the provider's policy, so confirm the terms in advance.
If a technical problem occurs during an online or center-based test, pause and notify the proctor or support line immediately, and note the time. Do not continue alone, and ask the provider afterward how the incident will be documented.