NBAA CAM exam-day guide
NBAA CAM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name used on your registration. A passport or driver's license is typical. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID it accepts and whether a second ID is required, since policies vary by testing vendor and location.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and test center or remote-proctoring details. Some centers ask to see it at check-in. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Know your candidate/eligibility number
Have any candidate ID, eligibility number, or authorization-to-test number issued by the certification body or test vendor written down separately from your phone. Confirm with the provider which identifier it needs at check-in.
Review the current candidate handbook
Download the latest version from the certifying organization and read the sections on exam format, number of questions, time allowed, scoring, and retake policy. Rules change, so use the version dated closest to your test date rather than an old copy.
Confirm exam blueprint and domain weights
Re-read the published content outline so you know how many questions to expect from each area. Use this to decide which topics deserve a final review rather than trying to relearn everything.
Verify test-center logistics or remote-proctoring setup
For an in-person test, check the address, parking, and arrival time. For remote proctoring, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection on the same equipment you will use, and confirm with the provider what software and room requirements apply.
Know the permitted-aids policy
Confirm with the provider whether any reference materials, calculators, scratch paper, or notes are allowed. Many certification exams provide scratch materials at the center and prohibit bringing your own; do not assume.
Plan your break and timing strategy
Decide in advance how you will pace yourself: note the number of questions and total time, and set a rough per-question budget. Confirm with the provider whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are available and whether the clock stops during them.
Prepare a simple logistics plan
Arrange transportation, arrival buffer, and meals so the morning is low-stress. Aim to arrive with time to spare; confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled, since many vendors deny entry after a cutoff.
Rest and normal routine the night before
Avoid last-minute cramming of new material. A normal sleep schedule and a familiar routine support recall better than an all-night review.
Needs_review: Personal items and storage rules
Confirm with the provider what happens to phones, watches, bags, and outerwear during the exam. Many centers require items to be stored and prohibit phones in the testing room, but specifics vary by site.
Needs_review: Score reporting and results timing
Confirm with the provider whether you receive a preliminary result at the test center and when official results and score reports are released. Do not rely on secondhand accounts of pass/fail cutoffs.
Plan the day
Shift from learning to consolidating. Review your own summary notes and the published domain outline, and revisit the topics where your practice scores were weakest. Take at most one or two timed practice sets to rehearse pacing, then stop adding new material. Re-read the candidate handbook sections on format, scoring, and conduct, and verify your appointment time, location, and ID requirements. Confirm with the provider any point the handbook leaves unclear, such as permitted aids or break rules.
Do a light review only: skim key definitions and the domain list, then stop. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place. Check travel time and, for remote testing, re-test your equipment and clear your workspace. Set an alarm and aim for a normal night's sleep. Avoid intensive cramming, which tends to increase anxiety without improving recall of applied material.
Eat a normal meal and arrive early. Recheck that you have your ID and confirmation. At the center, follow check-in instructions, store prohibited items as directed, and use the restroom before you are seated. If testing remotely, close other applications, silence devices, and complete the proctor check-in before your start time. Keep the pre-exam review minimal: a brief glance at a one-page summary is enough.
Read each question fully before looking at the options, and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely' or 'primary.' Answer every question; if the exam does not penalize wrong answers, an educated guess is better than a blank. Flag uncertain items and move on rather than stalling. Track your pace against your per-question budget and leave time to revisit flagged questions. If a break is available, use it briefly to reset, and confirm with the provider in advance how breaks affect the clock.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID in the name on your registration. If your ID name differs from your registration, contact the provider before test day; do not assume an exception will be made.
Follow all test-center and proctor instructions, including rules on personal items, electronics, and leaving the testing room. Unauthorized materials or devices in the testing area can lead to dismissal, so confirm with the provider what is prohibited.
Do not communicate with other candidates about exam content during or after the test. Sharing, reproducing, or discussing specific questions violates typical confidentiality agreements; confirm the exact terms you agreed to with the provider.
Answer every question unless the exam explicitly penalizes incorrect responses. Confirm with the provider whether scoring penalizes guessing before you adopt a guessing strategy.
Manage the clock yourself. Confirm with the provider how much time is allowed, whether breaks stop the clock, and what happens if time expires; do not rely on the proctor to warn you.
Understand the scoring model before test day. Many certification exams report a scaled score against a passing standard rather than a simple percentage; confirm with the provider how results are reported and what the retake policy is.
If a technical problem, illness, or other issue arises, notify the proctor or provider immediately and ask how it will be documented. Confirm with the provider in advance what accommodations or rescheduling options exist.