OCI AI Foundations exam-day guide
OCI AI Foundations · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact name-matching ID required by the test provider. For online proctoring the name on the ID must match your registration, so verify the spelling on your Oracle/Pearson VUE profile well before test day.
Appointment confirmation and test-provider login
Have your exam appointment number, registration email, and provider account credentials accessible. Save them offline in case email or the provider site is unreachable at the last minute.
Working webcam, microphone, and speakers/headset
Required for online-proctored delivery. Run the provider's system test at least 24 hours ahead and again on the morning of the exam.
Stable wired-or-strong Wi-Fi connection and a backup plan
Test your connection speed with the provider's tool. Have a phone hotspot or a second device ready in case the primary connection fails.
Compatible browser and updated OS
Confirm which browser versions the proctoring vendor supports and close all other applications and tabs before launch. Verify the exact requirement with the provider.
Cleared, well-lit, distraction-free room
Remove papers, phones, smart watches, second monitors, and anything with text from the desk and walls behind you. Proctors typically ask for a 360-degree room scan.
Scratch materials - confirm the allowed type and quantity with the provider
Some deliveries permit a small whiteboard or blank paper with an erasable marker; others permit none. The permitted material and size vary by delivery method, so confirm with the provider and do not assume.
Calculator policy confirmed in advance
The AI Foundations exam is largely conceptual, but confirm whether an on-screen or physical calculator is allowed if numeric items appear. Do not assume.
Notification and scheduling of breaks confirmed
Confirm whether your delivery allows scheduled or unscheduled breaks and whether the clock stops. Rules vary by provider and delivery mode.
Accessibility or language accommodations approved in advance
If you need extra time, a screen reader, or a non-default language, request it through the provider before the appointment - accommodations are generally not granted on test day.
One-page formula and services cheat sheet for review only
Keep it outside the testing area and review it before you check in. It cannot be on your desk during the exam.
Water and a quiet phone set to silent
Hydrate and silence devices before check-in. Phone use during the exam is typically prohibited except for technical support with the proctor's permission.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam objectives and self-rate each domain: AI/ML fundamentals, OCI AI services (language, vision, speech, document understanding, anomaly detection, forecasting), generative AI concepts and OCI generative AI offerings, OCI AI infrastructure and GPU shapes, and responsible AI. Spend remaining time on your two weakest areas only.
Do a full timed practice run under exam conditions: no notes, no pauses, one sitting. Review every wrong answer's underlying concept rather than memorising the question.
Run the provider's system test on the exact machine, browser, and network you will use, and log in to your provider account to confirm the appointment date, time zone, and delivery mode.
Confirm the appointment time in your local time zone. If you are travelling or in a different time zone from your registration, resolve the discrepancy now.
Prepare and test your workspace: clear the desk, check lighting, and confirm the room can be closed off for the full session.
Light review only - service capabilities, the difference between pre-built AI services and custom models, model lifecycle terms, and responsible AI principles. Stop studying early enough to sleep a full night.
Lay out ID, confirm login credentials, charge devices, and note the check-in time, which is typically earlier than the appointment start. Confirm the required check-in lead time with the provider.
Eat, hydrate, and avoid cramming new material. Re-read only your one-page cheat sheet.
Close every application, disable notifications and automatic updates, plug in your laptop, and start the check-in process early. Have your ID in hand for the proctor's identity check.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'best', 'primary', and 'not'. Answer every question, flag uncertain ones, and return to them only after clearing the easy items.
Pace against the question count: with roughly 60 questions in 90 minutes you have about 90 seconds each. If a question stalls you for more than two minutes, mark it and move on.
Confirm no item is left blank, then submit. Note that some providers show a provisional result on screen while official scoring arrives later by email.
Rules to check
Present the exact government-issued photo ID required by the provider. Expired, photocopied, or name-mismatched ID is generally grounds for refusal to test, with no refund - verify the accepted ID types with the provider in advance.
Test alone in a private room with the door closed. No other people, notes, phones, smart watches, or secondary screens in the testing area; proctors may request a room scan and terminate the session for a visible violation.
Do not attempt to capture, copy, or share exam content. All exam material is confidential, and candidates typically accept a non-disclosure agreement at check-in - read it before accepting.
Follow the proctor's instructions immediately. If you need to leave the view of the camera, take a permitted break, or report a technical problem, raise it with the proctor through the chat or hand signal rather than improvising.
Confirm the break policy for your delivery mode before test day. Unscheduled breaks may not stop the clock, and leaving the camera's view without permission can invalidate the attempt.
Check the scoring and retake policy on the official program page rather than relying on secondhand reports. The passing score, question count, and retake waiting period are set by the provider and can change.
If the exam is delivered in a language other than your first, confirm in advance whether extra time or a translated version is available - these generally must be requested before the appointment.
Report technical failures to the proctor and provider immediately and get a case number. Do not open a support ticket only after the window closes; timely reporting is usually required for a reschedule or refund.