RAA exam-day guide
RAA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which specific ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; do not assume a photocopy or digital ID will be accepted.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Have your appointment confirmation, candidate ID number, and testing location or remote-proctoring link ready. Save a screenshot and print a copy in case email access fails at the site.
Confirm test format and delivery mode
Verify whether your sitting is in-person at a test center or online proctored, and note the arrival time versus start time. Policies differ, so confirm with the provider.
Review the current candidate handbook or exam guide
Read the provider's own rules on permitted items, calculators, scratch paper, and reference materials. These vary by exam and change over time - confirm with the provider rather than relying on forum posts.
Permitted calculator or tools
If your exam allows a calculator, confirm the approved model and whether an on-screen calculator is provided instead. Do not bring an unapproved device; needs_review: exact calculator policy.
Know the scoring and pass standard
Understand whether scoring is criterion-referenced, what the passing score is, and whether results are immediate or delayed. Confirm the current standard with the provider, as it can be updated.
Plan travel and arrival buffer
Reconnoiter the route, parking, and building entrance. Arrive with a comfortable margin; late arrivals may be refused entry, but the exact cutoff is provider-specific - confirm with the provider.
Prepare for the security and check-in process
Expect ID verification, a photo, a locker for personal items, and possibly a metal detector or pat-down. Know that phones and smartwatches usually must be stored away; confirm the specifics with the provider.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Protect sleep in the final nights, eat a normal meal before the test, and plan hydration around break rules. Avoid experimenting with new caffeine or medication on exam day.
Break and timing strategy
Decide in advance how you will allocate time across sections and whether you will take scheduled or optional breaks. Confirm break rules, since some exams pause the clock and others do not.
Remote-proctoring system check (if applicable)
If testing online, run the equipment and environment check ahead of time: camera, microphone, browser lock, room privacy, and a stable connection. Confirm the provider's room and desk requirements.
Backup logistics
Carry a charged phone, a backup payment card, and the provider's contact number in case of a delay, cancellation, or technical failure. Know the reschedule and no-show policy before test day.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your own summary sheets, error log, and the highest-yield topics. Take at most one light practice set to confirm pacing, then stop. Re-read the provider's candidate rules on ID, permitted items, and breaks. Confirm your appointment time, address or proctoring link, and travel plan. Protect sleep: aim for normal bedtimes rather than last-minute cramming.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, permitted calculator, and any allowed items. Lay out comfortable clothing in layers. Do a final logistics check - route, parking, transit times, and weather. If testing remotely, run the system test and clear your desk and room. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol and heavy late meals, and set two alarms. Do not start a new topic; a brief skim of key formulas or frameworks is enough.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive early per the provider's guidance; if remote, log in before the scheduled start and keep your phone nearby only until check-in. Leave non-essential items at home or in the car. Do a short calm breathing exercise and a two-minute review of your top three reminders - not a full content review. Follow proctor instructions exactly during check-in.
Read each question stem fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'best', 'first', or 'except'. Answer easy items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the platform allows. Pace yourself against section time; do not let one hard question consume the clock. Use permitted scratch materials to organize multi-step problems. Take allowed breaks as planned, and note that unscheduled breaks may not stop the clock. Before submitting, check for unanswered items and confirm you have reviewed flagged questions.
Note whether results are immediate or delayed and how they will be delivered. Keep your confirmation and any score report. If you experienced a technical or conduct issue, ask the proctor or provider how to document it, and confirm the appeal or retake policy with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID matching your registration name exactly. If your name differs or your ID is expired, contact the provider before test day; do not assume an exception will be made.
Follow all proctor instructions and the provider's candidate agreement. Prohibited behavior typically includes using unauthorized materials, communicating with others, or leaving the testing area without permission - confirm the exact list with the provider.
Store phones, smartwatches, notes, and other personal items as directed. Do not access them during the test or during breaks unless the provider explicitly permits it.
Breaks are governed by provider policy. Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled or optional, whether the clock stops, and what you may access during them.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider and can change. Confirm the current passing score, scoring method, and result timeline rather than relying on secondhand information.
Report any technical problem, distraction, or irregularity to the proctor immediately and ask how it will be documented. Raising it later may be harder to resolve.
Reschedule or cancellation deadlines and fees are provider-specific. Confirm the policy and any no-show consequences before your appointment.
Maintain academic integrity: do not discuss, reproduce, or share exam content afterward. Doing so may violate the candidate agreement and affect your result or eligibility.