College Board PAA LATAM exam-day guide
College Board PAA LATAM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm exact test date, start time, and time zone in your registration account
Log in to the platform where you registered and verify the appointment details, including the local start time and any arrival window. If anything looks inconsistent, contact the provider before the final 24 hours. Do not rely on a forwarded confirmation email alone.
Government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the original document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The name on the ID should match the name on your registration. Accepted ID types can vary by country and test site, so confirm the specific accepted documents with the provider in advance; this item is needs_review.
Your registration confirmation or admission document
Have a printed or offline-accessible copy of your confirmation with the registration number and appointment details. Whether a physical printout is required versus accepted on a phone should be confirmed with the provider; this item is needs_review.
Permitted calculator, if the exam section allows one
Check the provider's current list of approved calculator models and any restrictions on built-in features or memory. Bring a model you have practiced with. Whether a calculator is permitted for your specific section should be confirmed with the provider; this item is needs_review.
Acceptable writing instruments and scratch materials
Bring several pencils or pens as specified for your test format. Scratch paper and note-taking rules differ between in-person and remote delivery, so confirm what is allowed rather than assuming; this item is needs_review.
Watch that is not a smartwatch
A simple analog or basic digital watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and wearable devices with connectivity or storage are typically prohibited, so leave them at home or in your bag.
Know your route, arrival time, and backup plan
Plan to arrive ahead of the reporting time with a buffer for traffic or transit delays. Identify a backup route and the provider's contact number in case of a delay. For remote testing, confirm your room, internet, and power backup instead.
Read the provider's current test-day rules one final time
Policies on permitted items, electronics, breaks, and dismissal can change between registration and test day. Check the official page for your specific exam administration rather than relying on older forum posts.
Prepare for security screening and item storage
Expect identity checks and restrictions on bags, phones, and other personal items. Plan where your belongings will go. The exact screening and storage arrangements should be confirmed with the provider; this item is needs_review.
Sleep, food, and hydration plan
Protect the night before with a normal sleep schedule, and plan a light meal that will not leave you sluggish. Bring water only if the provider permits it in the testing room; confirm the rule in advance.
Plan the day
Re-read the official test-day instructions for your exact appointment and confirm every logistical detail: start time, time zone, address or remote-testing link, ID requirements, and the permitted-items list. Write the provider's contact number somewhere you can reach without a phone in the testing room.
Do a final content review focused on your error log rather than new material. Revisit the question types you most often miss, and rehearse your pacing strategy for each section so you know how many minutes to spend per question and when to move on.
Take one timed practice set under realistic conditions, then stop. Use the results to fix your test-day routine, not to learn new topics. Confirm your calculator works and has fresh batteries if you are bringing one.
Lay out your ID, confirmation document, permitted materials, and clothing for the next day. Charge and then put away your phone if it is not needed. Confirm your transport plan and set two alarms. Avoid cramming new content the night before.
Do a light review of your summary sheet only, then stop studying early enough to wind down. Eat a normal dinner, avoid excessive caffeine, and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast, dress in layers, and leave with enough buffer to arrive before the reporting time. Do a final check that your ID and confirmation are with you. Keep your phone off and stored unless the provider's rules say otherwise.
Follow staff instructions, present your ID, and store prohibited items as directed. If you are testing remotely, complete the check-in steps and room scan exactly as instructed before the timer starts.
Read the directions for each section before starting the clock, and note the time budget. Work at a steady pace, flag uncertain questions if the format allows, and answer every question since there is typically no penalty for guessing unless the provider states otherwise. Use breaks only as permitted and return promptly.
Stop starting new long questions with a few minutes left. Make sure every item has an answer, check that your responses are recorded in the correct place, and use remaining time to review flagged items.
Rules to check
Bring only the identification and materials the provider lists as permitted. Electronics, smartwatches, notes, and unauthorized aids should stay outside the testing room; if you are unsure whether an item is allowed, leave it behind or confirm with the provider beforehand.
The name on your ID must match your registration. If your name has changed or your documents do not match, resolve it with the provider before test day rather than at check-in.
Follow all instructions from test staff and proctors. Talking, looking at others' work, or leaving the room without permission can lead to dismissal, and the provider's misconduct policy governs the outcome.
Breaks are only at the times the provider designates. Do not open test materials during a break, and return to your seat promptly so you do not lose testing time.
Scoring and score reporting follow the provider's published policies, including how sections are weighted and when results are released. Do not assume a particular score report date; confirm it with the provider.
If something goes wrong on test day, such as a technical failure, illness, or a disruption in the room, report it immediately to staff and follow up with the provider in writing, since deadlines for reporting irregularities may apply.