New Relic APM Practitioner exam-day guide
New Relic APM Practitioner · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
Use the exact name you registered with; if your ID name differs (middle names, transliteration), confirm with the provider before test day how to handle the mismatch.
Appointment confirmation and test-provider login details
Save the confirmation email and know your provider account credentials. For remote-proctored delivery, test your login before the appointment; confirm with the provider whether any additional check-in steps apply.
Reliable computer, webcam, microphone, and stable internet (remote delivery)
Run the provider's system check in advance. Have a backup connection (mobile hotspot) ready. If testing in person, this item does not apply.
Quiet, private, well-lit room with a clear desk (remote delivery)
Remove papers, phones, and second screens from the desk and surroundings. Proctors typically require the room to be free of other people; confirm the provider's specific environment rules.
Approved writing materials
Some providers allow a whiteboard or blank paper and marker for scratch work; others prohibit it. Confirm with the provider what is permitted, and never bring notes or pre-written material.
Water in a clear container and any permitted comfort items
Policies on drinks and snacks vary; confirm with the provider. Avoid items with labels or text that could trigger a proctor review.
Knowledge of the exam format and scoring
Know the number of questions, time limit, passing score, and whether the result is pass/fail or scaled. These details are set by the provider; verify them on the official exam page rather than relying on third-party summaries.
A mental map of the New Relic APM domain areas
Be ready to reason about agents and instrumentation, APM UI navigation, transactions and traces, errors, throughput and response time, Apdex, distributed tracing, alerts, and NRQL basics. Reviewing these areas is study preparation, not something you bring into the exam.
A plan for time management during the test
Decide in advance how you will pace yourself: answer confident questions first, flag uncertain ones, and reserve time to revisit flagged items if the platform allows it.
A rest and logistics plan for the day
Sleep, meals, and travel time to an in-person center matter more than last-minute cramming. Confirm arrival or check-in time with the provider.
A post-exam plan for your score report
Know where the score will appear and how long it takes to be issued. Confirm with the provider whether you receive an immediate provisional result or a later official report.
Plan the day
Stop broadening your study. Review your weakest two or three domain areas only, using hands-on practice in a New Relic account if you have one: create or inspect an APM app, read a transaction trace, look at error analytics, and write a few NRQL queries. Re-read your own notes rather than starting new material.
Run the provider's system and identity checks for remote delivery, or confirm the address, arrival time, and accepted ID for an in-person center. Resolve any technical or documentation issues now, not on test day.
Do one timed practice run using questions you have written or curated yourself, focusing on pacing rather than score. Note which question types slow you down (NRQL syntax, Apdex interpretation, alert condition logic) and plan how to handle them.
Light review only: skim a one-page summary of key concepts such as Apdex thresholds, transaction versus segment versus trace, error rate versus error count, and the difference between throughput and response time. Prepare your desk, ID, and login details, then stop studying early.
Confirm the appointment time in your own time zone, set two alarms, and check that your internet and backup connection work. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and avoid cramming new topics. Log in or arrive early as the provider instructs, have your ID ready, and complete any proctor check-in without rushing.
Read each question fully before answering, especially scenario questions that hinge on one qualifier such as 'most likely' or 'first step'. Answer confident items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the platform permits. For NRQL or configuration questions, reason from syntax and semantics rather than guessing.
Watch the clock at natural checkpoints (for example, after every ten questions) and adjust pace. If a break is permitted, confirm with the proctor before taking it, and note that break time may count against your limit.
Note any topics that felt weak while they are fresh, and record where and when your official score will be available. If you did not pass, use that list to plan a focused retake; confirm the provider's retake waiting period and fees.
Rules to check
Present the exact ID required by the provider and keep it visible for the proctor. If your ID does not match your registration name, resolve it before the appointment; confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Test alone in a private space. Other people, phones, smart watches, and second screens are typically prohibited; confirm the provider's full list of banned items and remove anything questionable before check-in.
Do not use notes, search engines, AI assistants, or another person to help answer questions. Treat the exam as closed-book unless the provider explicitly states otherwise.
Follow all proctor instructions, including room scans and screen sharing for remote delivery. Refusing a requested check may end the session; if an instruction seems wrong, ask the proctor before acting.
Ask the proctor before leaving your seat or taking a break. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed, whether they are timed, and whether they count against your exam time.
Understand the scoring before you start: know the passing threshold, whether partial credit applies, and whether unanswered questions are penalized. These rules are set by the provider; verify them on the official exam page.
Do not share, record, or reproduce exam questions afterward. Discussing specific items violates most providers' confidentiality terms and can invalidate your result.
If a technical failure occurs, stop and contact the proctor or provider support immediately rather than continuing. Confirm the provider's incident and rescheduling policy in advance so you know your options.