NRB Assistant exam-day guide
NRB Assistant · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document or authorization to test
Most computer-based testing vendors require the confirmation or authorization document you received after scheduling, printed or available to show at check-in. Confirm with the provider which document is accepted and whether a digital copy is allowed.
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical ID, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The name must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Registration confirmation showing test center, date, and time
Verify the address and arrival time the day before. Test centers sometimes move candidates between rooms, and city traffic patterns vary by time of day.
Route and backup transport plan
Plan to arrive with a comfortable buffer before the reporting time. Identify a backup route or transport mode in case of delays, and note nearby parking or transit exits.
Permitted calculator or scratch materials
Rules on calculators, scratch paper, and pens vary by provider and are usually supplied or prohibited at the workstation. Confirm with the provider what you may bring and what will be provided.
Nothing in pockets or on wrists
Most centers require pockets to be empty and prohibit watches, fitness trackers, and phones in the testing room. Plan where you will store these; many centers provide a locker.
Layered clothing you can adjust
Room temperature can vary. Dress in layers and avoid clothing with large logos or hoods that may conflict with center rules. Confirm with the provider whether a jacket may be worn at the workstation.
Water and a light snack for the break
Access to personal items during breaks depends on center rules and is often limited to a designated area. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed and where they may be kept.
A short pre-exam routine you have rehearsed
Decide in advance how you will open the exam: read the instructions, skim the interface tutorial, and note the time remaining. Practicing this routine reduces early-exam errors.
Review of high-yield topics only
In the final day, review summary sheets, formulas, and definitions. Avoid starting new material that can create doubt and anxiety.
Sleep and meal plan
Protect sleep in the 72 hours before the exam and eat a normal meal before reporting. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are not accustomed to it.
Contingency plan for illness or delay
Know the provider's reschedule and cancellation policy before exam day. Confirm with the provider the deadline, fees, and acceptable reasons for rescheduling.
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment details, test center address, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Print or save the confirmation document. Do a full practice set under timed conditions and review only the errors, not the whole syllabus.
Build a one-page summary of formulas, definitions, and decision rules you keep missing. Stop adding new topics. Check transport options and, if driving, confirm parking availability and cost.
Do a light review of your summary sheet and the exam interface instructions. Prepare clothing, ID, confirmation document, and any permitted items in one place. Set two alarms. Go to bed at your normal time rather than much earlier.
Eat a normal meal, avoid unfamiliar food or excessive caffeine, and leave earlier than the map suggests. Arrive at the center with buffer time. Leave your phone and watch in the designated storage area as instructed.
Present your ID and confirmation document, follow the proctor's instructions, and use the restroom before entering the room. Note where the clock and any provided materials are located.
Read the instructions and complete the interface tutorial carefully, especially how to flag items, move between questions, and review marked items. Note the total time and calculate a rough per-question pace.
Answer confidently known items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the time remaining at planned checkpoints. If a scheduled break is offered, use it to stand, drink water, and reset, then return promptly.
Use remaining time to review flagged items and confirm no question is left unanswered if the format penalizes blanks. Submit deliberately and confirm the submission screen before leaving.
Rules to check
Bring the original government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. Photocopies, expired documents, and digital images are commonly rejected. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted.
Follow all proctor instructions about personal items. Phones, watches, and fitness trackers are typically prohibited in the testing room and must be stored as directed.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam or attempt to copy, photograph, or record exam content. Such conduct can lead to score cancellation.
Break rules vary by provider and test. Confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are scheduled, whether the clock stops during breaks, and what personal items you may access.
Scoring rules differ by exam, including whether wrong answers are penalized and whether items are equally weighted. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming a guessing strategy.
If you believe there is a technical problem or a distraction in the room, raise your hand and inform the proctor immediately rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Report any illness or emergency to the provider as early as possible and follow their rescheduling policy. Do not attempt to test while unwell if the provider's rules require rescheduling.
Keep the content of the exam confidential. Discussing specific questions after the test may violate the candidate agreement you accepted at registration.