CAA NZ AME Electrical exam-day guide
CAA NZ AME Electrical · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the same government-issued photo ID you used for registration. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID it accepts and whether a second piece is required; requirements vary and are not assumed here.
Examination admission or booking confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your candidate number, module/assessment code, date, time, and venue. The provider controls how admission is verified, so confirm the accepted format in advance.
Approved calculator
Electrical practical and theory tasks often involve load, resistance, and voltage-drop calculations. Check the provider's list of permitted calculators and whether programmable or graphing models are excluded.
Basic stationery
Bring several pens and pencils, an eraser, and a small ruler. Do not rely on the venue supplying them.
Personal protective equipment
For practical electrical tasks, bring clean safety glasses, safety footwear, and any coveralls or gloves the task list specifies. Confirm the exact PPE list and any standards markings with the provider before the day.
Required hand tools
Where the assessment requires you to supply tools, bring insulated screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, and a multimeter in good condition. Verify the permitted tool list; some providers supply all tools and prohibit personal ones.
Review the assessment scope
Read the provider's candidate information on what the practical covers: wiring tasks, inspection, testing, fault-finding, documentation, and oral questioning. Know which tasks are assessed and how long each takes.
Confirm venue access and timing
Check the address, parking, entry point, and reporting time. Arrive early enough to complete any sign-in and briefing without rushing.
Rest and logistics
Plan travel, meals, and sleep so you arrive alert. Practical electrical work demands steady hands and clear judgement.
Safe working knowledge
Be ready to state and apply isolation, lockout/tagout, proving dead, and test-before-touch procedures. These are commonly assessed as part of practical conduct, not only as knowledge.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate guide and task list. Confirm ID, PPE, tools, and calculator against the permitted-items list. Practise the core practical sequences: safe isolation, continuity and insulation resistance testing, polarity checks, and completing test records. Review formulas for voltage drop, load current, and cable selection. Stop cramming new material and consolidate what you already know.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, stationery, PPE, and approved tools. Charge any permitted test equipment and check leads and probes for damage. Confirm travel arrangements and set two alarms. Eat well and sleep early rather than studying late.
Eat a proper meal, arrive at the venue with time to spare, and complete sign-in. Listen carefully to the briefing on safety, timing, and station layout. Set out your tools and PPE methodically. If you feel unwell or have a safety concern, raise it with the assessor before starting.
Read each task fully before acting. Work to a safe sequence every time: isolate, lock off, prove the tester, test dead, then work. Narrate or record results as required. Manage time by noting the clock and leaving enough for testing, documentation, and cleanup. If a task goes wrong, stop, make safe, and ask the assessor how to proceed rather than improvising.
Rules to check
Follow all venue safety instructions and the assessor's directions at all times. Practical electrical assessment involves real hazards, and unsafe conduct can end the assessment.
Carry and present the identification the provider requires. If you are unsure what is accepted, confirm with the provider before the day.
Bring only permitted items. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes are typically prohibited in assessment areas; confirm the provider's policy on storage and personal devices.
Ask the assessor before leaving the assessment area. Confirm the provider's rules on breaks, toilet access, and whether the clock stops during breaks.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the assessment, and do not share or receive task information.
Record your own results and complete documentation honestly. Do not alter readings or sign off work you have not done.
If equipment is faulty or a task is unclear, stop and report it. Do not substitute tools or procedures without approval.
Scoring and pass criteria are set by the provider. Ask in advance how practical tasks, documentation, and any oral questions are weighted, and confirm the reassessment policy.