CAQ-Ortho exam-day guide
CAQ-Ortho · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. Test centers generally turn away candidates whose names do not match. If your ID name differs from your registration (for example, a maiden name or a hyphenation issue), contact the provider before test day to correct it.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your appointment time, test center address or remote-proctoring link, and any confirmation number. Do not rely on memory for the reporting time. If you never received a confirmation, confirm with the provider at least a week ahead.
Exact test-center location and parking plan
Look up the building entrance, floor, and parking or transit options in advance. Large testing sites are often inside shared office buildings with confusing lobbies. Arrive early enough to clear security and find the room without rushing.
Arrival time with a buffer
Plan to report earlier than your appointment, since check-in, ID verification, and locker assignment take time. The specific cut-off for late arrival varies by provider and site, so confirm the required arrival window with the provider rather than assuming a number.
Knowledge of the break and scoring rules
Before test day, know how many breaks are offered, whether they are timed, whether you can access notes or your phone during breaks, and how the exam is scored (for example, pass/fail against a criterion-referenced standard). Confirm any detail you are unsure of with the provider.
Approved calculator or reference materials, only if permitted
Some exams provide an on-screen calculator or reference sheet and prohibit bringing your own. Do not bring outside notes, textbooks, or a personal calculator unless the provider's candidate handbook explicitly allows it. Confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
No prohibited personal items in the testing room
Phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other electronics usually must be stored in a locker or left outside the room. Leave jewelry and bulky items at home to speed check-in. Confirm the site's storage policy with the provider if you must bring valuables.
Plan for medical or accessibility accommodations
If you have an approved accommodation (extra time, separate room, medical device or food), bring the approval documentation the provider specifies and arrive early to set it up. Accommodations are not granted on the day, so confirm approval status with the provider well before the exam.
Light layers and comfort items that comply with the dress code
Testing rooms are often cold. Wear layers you can remove, and check whether the provider restricts hoodies, hats, or pockets. Keep clothing simple to avoid delays at security screening.
Water and a snack for the break
If the site permits access to a locker during breaks, store water and a snack there. Confirm the break policy with the provider, since some exams do not allow leaving the testing area between sections.
A realistic study wind-down plan
In the last day, review high-yield summaries and your own error log rather than starting new material. Sleep is more valuable than an all-night cram. Stop active studying early enough to protect your sleep.
Backup plan for travel or technology failure
For an in-person exam, identify a backup route and allow extra travel time. For a remote-proctored exam, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection in advance and know the provider's procedure if the connection drops. Confirm the remote-testing requirements with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment time, location or remote link, and ID requirements with the provider. Re-read the candidate handbook for permitted items, break rules, and scoring so there are no surprises. Do a final review of high-yield topics and your error log, and stop introducing new material. Plan meals, travel, and sleep for the next three days so test day is boring and predictable.
Take one final short practice set under timed conditions, then review only the explanations for questions you missed. Resist the urge to cram new subtopics. Prepare your bag: ID, confirmation, layers, water, and snack. For a remote exam, run a full equipment check and clear your desk of prohibited items.
Do a light pass over summary sheets and formulas, then stop. Set out clothes and your bag. Confirm your alarm and travel plan. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not attempt an all-night review; fatigue costs more points than one more fact gains.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the test center with a buffer, or log in early for a remote exam and complete the room and ID checks. Leave your phone and smartwatch stored as required. Use the restroom before check-in. If something goes wrong (traffic, ID issue, technology failure), contact the provider immediately rather than guessing at the policy.
Read each question carefully and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely', 'initial', or 'contraindicated'. Answer the straightforward items first, flag long or calculation-heavy questions, and return to them. Use only the breaks you are granted and follow the proctor's instructions exactly. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve time to review flagged items. If a question feels ambiguous, choose the safest, most standard answer supported by the stem.
Note how you felt about specific topic areas while the memory is fresh, in case you need to retake. Do not try to reconstruct or share exam content with others, which may violate the candidate agreement. Confirm with the provider how and when results are released.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name used on your registration. A mismatched or expired ID can prevent you from testing, so resolve name discrepancies with the provider before test day.
Follow the provider's candidate agreement and confidentiality rules. Do not copy, photograph, discuss, or share exam questions or content before, during, or after the test.
Leave prohibited items such as phones, smartwatches, and notes outside the testing room. Follow the proctor's instructions for lockers and personal belongings, and confirm the permitted-items list with the provider if unsure.
Use only the breaks you are granted. Do not access notes, your phone, or study materials during breaks unless the provider explicitly allows it, and return from breaks within the stated time.
Understand the scoring standard before you sit. Many certification exams are criterion-referenced, meaning you are measured against a set passing standard rather than against other candidates. Confirm the exact scoring and retake policy with the provider.
Raise your hand or use the provided alert if you have a problem during the exam, such as a technology failure or a need to leave the room. Do not attempt to fix equipment or leave unannounced.
If you have approved accommodations, bring the required documentation and arrive early to set them up. Accommodations are arranged in advance and cannot be granted on test day, so confirm approval with the provider.
Report any testing irregularity or security concern to the proctor and the provider. Do not discuss the specifics of exam content with other candidates, as this may breach the candidate agreement.