AE-C (NBRC) exam-day guide
AE-C · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired photo ID. The exact ID requirements and accepted document types vary by provider and test center, so confirm with the provider which IDs are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Appointment confirmation and candidate ID number
Have your exam appointment confirmation and any candidate/eligibility number accessible (printed or on your phone). You may need them at check-in; confirm with the provider whether printed confirmation is required.
Know your test delivery format
Confirm in advance whether you are testing at a test center or via remote proctoring, since the check-in process, permitted items, and room requirements differ. Confirm the specifics with the provider.
Arrive early
Plan to arrive well before your scheduled start time to allow for check-in and security screening. The exact recommended arrival window is provider-specific - confirm with the provider rather than assuming a number.
Review permitted and prohibited items
Check the provider's list of what you may bring into the testing room. Personal items such as phones, notes, and bags are typically stored or prohibited; confirm the exact rules with the provider.
Understand the calculator/scratch materials policy
If your exam permits a calculator, scratch paper, or an on-screen equivalent, confirm the exact policy in advance, including whether materials are provided or must be requested. Do not assume.
Plan your travel and backup route
Confirm the test center address and plan arrival with buffer for traffic or transit delays. For remote testing, confirm your internet connection and a backup plan.
Prepare your testing environment (remote only)
If testing remotely, ensure a private, quiet space, a working webcam and microphone, and a stable connection. Confirm the provider's room and equipment requirements in advance.
Confirm break policy
Ask the provider whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are allowed, and whether the clock stops during breaks. Do not assume the clock pauses.
Get rest and eat beforehand
Sleep well and eat a normal meal before the exam. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material in the final hours.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment date, time, location or remote setup, and ID requirements with the provider. Re-read the exam's format and scoring overview so you know the question types and time limit. Do light review of your weakest areas and stop studying new topics. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place.
Do a final logistics check: route to the test center or your remote setup, arrival time, and what you will bring. Review high-level summaries rather than new material. Avoid heavy cramming. Set alarms and get a full night's sleep. Confirm the provider's check-in instructions if you have not already.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and arrive with buffer time. Bring your ID and confirmation. Leave prohibited items at home or stored as instructed. Do a brief, calm review of key concepts only - no new material. Follow the proctor's check-in instructions exactly.
Read each question carefully and note the time limit so you can pace yourself. Answer easier questions first if the format allows navigation, and flag uncertain items to revisit. Use only permitted materials. If a technical issue occurs during a remote exam, follow the provider's stated procedure for contacting the proctor.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired photo ID matching your registration. Accepted ID types vary by provider - confirm the exact requirements with the provider before exam day.
Follow all proctor and test-center instructions, including security screening and rules on prohibited items. Failure to comply can result in removal or score cancellation; confirm the specific consequences with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorized materials, notes, or devices into the testing area. The exact list of prohibited items is provider-specific - check it in advance.
Understand the break policy before you start: confirm whether breaks are scheduled or unscheduled and whether the clock runs during them. Do not assume the timer pauses.
Understand the scoring model for your exam (for example, whether wrong answers are penalized or whether scoring is criterion-referenced). Confirm the current scoring policy with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, follow the provider's published deadlines and fees. These policies vary, so confirm them with the provider.
If a technical or environmental problem occurs during the exam, follow the provider's stated procedure for notifying the proctor immediately rather than troubleshooting on your own.