CAA NZ AME Radio exam-day guide
CAA NZ AME Radio · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring the same government-issued photo identification whose details you used when booking. The name on the ID should match your booking record; if you have changed your name or the booking details differ, contact the provider before test day to confirm how to fix it.
Appointment confirmation and booking reference
Carry a printed or offline copy of your booking confirmation, including the reference number, test location, and start time. Do not rely only on a phone that may run out of battery or lose signal.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted for the Radio examination and whether programmable or memory-capable models are excluded. If you are unsure whether your calculator is allowed, bring a basic non-programmable unit as a backup.
Writing materials
Bring a couple of pens or pencils and an eraser in case the venue does not supply them. Confirm with the provider whether rough paper is provided or whether you must write only in the answer booklet.
Any permitted reference material
The Radio exam is normally closed-book; do not assume you may bring formula sheets, notes, or licensing documents. If you believe a specific reference is permitted, confirm with the provider in advance and bring only what is explicitly approved.
Venue arrival details
Note the exact street address, building entrance, parking, and public transport options. Do a dry run or check the route so you know how long it takes and where to report on the day.
Time buffer and lateness policy
Plan to arrive well before the scheduled start. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are late, whether admission is refused after a cut-off, and whether a late arrival shortens your working time.
Personal needs and break rules
Ask the provider in advance about water, medication, toilet breaks, and any accessibility arrangements. Rules on leaving the room during the test vary, so get the answer in writing or by email before the day.
Prohibited items plan
Leave phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider where bags and devices are kept during the test.
Rest and travel plan
Arrange a realistic sleep schedule and a low-stress journey. Avoid last-minute study that replaces sleep; a rested candidate performs better on calculation and regulation questions.
Scoring and results enquiry
Confirm with the provider the pass mark, whether sections are weighted, when results are released, and how to request a review or resit if needed. Do not assume a mark scheme from a third party.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating. Review your own summary notes on radio theory, regulations, and operational procedures, and work through practice calculations such as frequency, wavelength, power, and decibel conversions. Re-read the syllabus or provider outline and list any topics you cannot explain in your own words, then spend the remaining time on those gaps. Confirm the venue address, travel time, and start time, and check that your ID and booking confirmation are ready. Stop heavy study early enough to protect sleep in the nights before the test.
Do a light review only: key formulas, units, and the regulation points you most often forget. Pack your bag with ID, booking confirmation, approved calculator, pens, and any permitted items. Charge your phone but plan not to use it during the test. Check transport for disruptions and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time; avoid cramming late into the night.
Eat breakfast and arrive at the venue with a comfortable buffer. Re-read only your one-page summary; do not attempt new topics. At the venue, follow staff instructions on registration, ID checks, and storage of personal items. Use the toilet before the test begins and take any permitted water or medication as arranged. Settle in, breathe, and read the instructions on the paper carefully before starting.
Read each question fully and note the command words, such as state, explain, or calculate. Answer the questions you know first, then return to harder ones. Show working for calculations so partial credit can be awarded where the provider allows it, and check units and significant figures. Watch the time and keep a few minutes at the end to check that every question has an answer and that your name and candidate details are correct. If you are unsure about a procedural instruction, raise your hand and ask an invigilator rather than guessing.
Rules to check
Bring and present the government-issued photo ID required by the provider. If your ID details do not match your booking, resolve this before test day; confirm with the provider what alternative evidence is accepted.
Follow all invigilation instructions on seating, materials, and conduct. Do not communicate with other candidates once the test has started, and do not look at another candidate's paper.
Keep phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices switched off and stored as directed. Unauthorised devices or notes on your person may lead to removal from the test; confirm with the provider which items are prohibited.
Use only the calculator and reference materials the provider permits. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask before the test begins rather than risk a misconduct finding.
Ask about breaks, water, and medication before the test starts. Rules on leaving the room mid-test vary, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming you may come and go.
Confirm the pass mark, section weighting, and time allowed with the provider in advance. Do not rely on pass marks quoted by other candidates or online forums.
If you believe there is an error in a question or a disruption during the test, tell an invigilator immediately and follow the provider's process for reporting it afterwards.
Results release, review, and resit procedures are set by the provider. Confirm the timelines and any appeal steps with them so you know what to expect after the test.