CAQ-Peds exam-day guide
CAQ-Peds · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification named in your admission notice. The name on the ID must match the name on your registration. If your legal name has changed or your ID uses a different script or spelling, confirm with the provider before test day how to document the match; do not assume a second piece of ID will be accepted as a substitute.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation email showing your test date, time, and location or remote-proctoring link. Review it the night before to catch any last-minute room or time change. Keep it accessible offline in case network access is unreliable at the site.
Appointment time and arrival buffer
Note the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time, and plan to arrive with a buffer for security screening and check-in. Confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled, since many testing programs deny entry after a cutoff. For a remote exam, confirm the check-in window and platform requirements in advance.
Approved calculator and its policy status
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is permitted, which models are allowed, and whether an on-screen calculator is supplied instead. Pediatric questions involving weight-based dosing, fluids, or unit conversion reward accurate arithmetic, so know your tool before test day rather than borrowing one at the site.
Permitted personal items only
Expect a short list of allowed items such as tissues, keys, and a wallet, with everything else stored in a locker. Confirm with the provider whether water, snacks, or medication are permitted at the desk and what documentation is required for necessary medical items. Leave jewelry, smart watches, and study notes at home.
Break plan and snack
Check the number and length of breaks and whether the clock stops during them. If breaks are optional and timed, decide in advance whether you will take them. Bring a snack and water for the break area only if the site permits outside food; confirm with the provider.
Scratch material policy
Determine whether scratch paper, a dry-erase board, or an on-screen notepad is provided and whether you may bring your own. Most programs supply material and collect it afterward. Do not bring loose paper unless the provider explicitly allows it.
Remote-testing environment check (if applicable)
If testing remotely, confirm the platform, camera and microphone requirements, room and desk rules, and the identity-verification steps. Run the system check on the same device and network you will use, and close background applications. Confirm with the provider whether a wired connection or backup device is recommended.
Rest, hydration, and medication routine
Protect sleep in the final nights rather than cramming. Eat a normal meal before the exam and take prescribed medication on your usual schedule. If you need accommodations such as extra time or a separate room, confirm approval with the provider well before test day, since requests are rarely granted on site.
Score-report and retake logistics
Know when and how results are released, whether you receive a preliminary or unofficial score, and how a retake would be scheduled if needed. Confirm with the provider the retake waiting period and any attempt limits rather than relying on memory or forum posts.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating what you already know. Review your own error log and the highest-yield pediatric topics: growth and development milestones, immunization schedules, weight-based dosing and fluid calculations, common respiratory and gastrointestinal presentations, and recognition of the deteriorating infant or child. Do a timed block or two under exam conditions to rehearse pacing, then stop adding new material. Confirm your test location, reporting time, and travel plan, and re-read the provider's current candidate rules for allowed items.
Pack your ID, confirmation, and permitted items in one place. Lay out comfortable clothing in layers so you can adjust to room temperature. Do a light review of formulas and normal values only, then stop. Set two alarms, confirm transportation or the remote-testing setup, and go to bed at a normal hour. Avoid intensive last-minute quizzing, which tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate without overdoing fluids. Arrive at the reporting time with your ID and confirmation in hand, or start the remote check-in early enough to resolve any technical issue. Keep conversation with other candidates light and avoid comparing preparation. Once seated, take a few slow breaths and read the instructions and tutorial screens carefully before the clock starts.
Read each stem fully and note the key age, weight, and setting before looking at options. Answer the question asked, then move on; flag uncertain items and return only if time allows. For calculation items, estimate the answer first and check units and decimal placement. Use scheduled breaks to stand, stretch, and reset, and watch the clock at natural checkpoints so you are not rushed at the end. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor immediately rather than troubleshooting alone.
Rules to check
Bring the exact identification the provider requires, with a name matching your registration. If there is any mismatch or uncertainty about acceptable documents, confirm with the provider before test day; do not assume alternatives will be accepted.
Follow all proctor instructions and the current candidate agreement. Prohibited items typically include phones, smart watches, and notes, and possession of them during testing can lead to dismissal or score invalidation. Confirm the current list with the provider.
Know the break policy before you start: how many breaks are offered, whether they are timed, and whether the clock runs. Raise your hand or use the designated procedure before leaving your seat, and return within the allowed time.
Understand the scoring and reporting format in advance, including whether results are pass/fail or scaled, whether an unofficial score is shown, and when official results are released. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on secondhand accounts.
If you need testing accommodations, obtain approval before scheduling or as early as the provider requires. Accommodations are generally not arranged on the day of the test.
Report any irregularity, technical failure, or distraction to the proctor immediately and follow their instructions. Note the time and details in case you need to request a remedy afterward.
Do not discuss, reproduce, or share exam content after the test. Most programs treat disclosure of items as a conduct violation with consequences for your score and future eligibility.
If you become ill or cannot attend, contact the provider as soon as possible to learn your options for rescheduling or withdrawal. Policies on refunds and no-shows vary, so confirm the specifics with the provider.