CAA NZ AME Human Factors exam-day guide
CAA NZ AME Human Factors · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the current, valid photo ID (typically a passport or driver licence) whose name matches your enrolment exactly. If you have changed your name or your ID is near expiry, confirm the accepted ID types with the provider before test day rather than assuming.
Appointment confirmation and test-centre details
Carry a printed or offline copy of your booking confirmation showing the date, time, and venue address, plus the provider's contact number. Do not rely on phone signal or email access at the venue.
Arrival time and travel plan
Work out the journey in advance and aim to arrive with a comfortable buffer before your scheduled start. The exact required arrival time and late-arrival cut-off are set by the provider, so confirm both with the provider when you book.
Permitted items only
Most computer-based testing centres restrict what you may take to the desk (often nothing except ID and a locker key). Confirm the permitted-items list with the provider; do not assume notes, a watch, or a phone are allowed in the room.
Any approved accommodations
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm in writing that they have been approved and recorded against your booking. Arrive with the confirmation; unapproved requests may not be honoured on the day.
Rest and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep and a light meal before the test. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it; a steady, alert state matters more than last-minute cramming.
Light, targeted revision material for the final days
Review only your own summary sheets and the syllabus topics you have flagged as weak, such as human performance and limitations, social psychology, and the SHELL or error-model concepts. Do not attempt to learn new material in the last 24 hours.
Familiarity with the question format
Know whether the paper is single best answer, multiple response, or includes short written responses, and how many questions and how long you have. Confirm the format and time allowance with the provider if your booking does not state them.
Break and timing expectations
Ask the provider in advance whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are permitted, whether the clock stops, and whether you may leave the room. Do not assume you can leave mid-test.
Scoring and results information
Understand how the paper is marked (for example, number correct or a pass mark) and when and how results are issued. Ask the provider for the current pass standard; do not rely on hearsay from other candidates.
Medical or access needs
If you have a condition that may affect you during the test (for example, needing medication or frequent breaks), discuss it with the provider beforehand so arrangements can be made. needs_review: specific medical-evidence requirements vary, so confirm with the provider.
A calm pre-test routine
Decide in advance how you will settle yourself before starting: read the instructions fully, note the time allowance, and plan to answer the straightforward questions first and return to harder ones.
Plan the day
Confirm your booking, venue, arrival time, ID requirements, and any approved accommodations in writing. Re-read your own summary notes on the weaker syllabus areas, focusing on understanding rather than memorising. Do one or two short practice sets under timed conditions if you have them, then stop and review the errors. Protect your sleep schedule.
Do a light review only: skim key definitions and concepts such as human error, fatigue, situational awareness, communication, and teamwork. Prepare and pack your ID, confirmation, and travel details. Check the route and any transport disruptions. Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Stop studying early enough to wind down.
Eat a normal breakfast, drink water, and leave with a generous buffer. Re-read only your one-page summary if it helps you feel settled; do not start new topics. Arrive early, follow the centre's check-in procedure, and use any waiting time to breathe steadily rather than to quiz yourself.
Read the instructions and note the total time and question count. Work at a steady pace, answering the questions you know first and flagging harder ones to return to. Read each stem carefully for words like 'most likely' or 'except'. If a question seems ambiguous, choose the best-supported answer rather than leaving it blank, unless the format penalises wrong answers (confirm the marking rule with the provider). Watch the clock but avoid checking it after every question. If you take a permitted break, note whether the clock continues.
Note which topics felt difficult while they are fresh, in case you need to resit or continue study. Confirm with the provider how and when results will be released, and keep your confirmation and any receipts.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID matching your enrolment name; if you are unsure which documents are accepted or your ID is close to expiry, confirm with the provider before test day.
Arrive by the time the provider specifies. Late arrival may result in refusal of entry or a rescheduled test; the exact cut-off and any fee consequences are set by the provider, so confirm them when you book.
Follow the centre's rules on permitted items. Phones, notes, smart watches, and similar items are commonly prohibited in the test room; confirm the current list with the provider rather than assuming.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy. Ask in advance whether breaks are allowed, whether the test clock stops, and whether you may leave the room; do not leave the test room without following the centre's procedure.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not attempt to record, photograph, or share test content. Test materials are confidential, and misconduct can lead to invalidation of your result.
Understand the scoring before you sit: confirm the question format, the pass standard, and whether unanswered questions count against you. Do not rely on second-hand claims about the pass mark.
If you feel unwell or unable to continue, tell the invigilator immediately rather than struggling on; the options available to you are set by the provider, so ask what applies.
Keep your booking confirmation and any correspondence about accommodations or results. If there is a dispute about your booking or result, the provider's published process applies.