PSE Cortex exam-day guide
PSE Cortex · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID document the provider requires for admission (typically a current passport or national ID). Confirm the accepted document types and name-matching rules with the provider before test day; do not assume a student card or expired document will be accepted (confirm with the provider).
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Save or print the confirmation email showing your test date, time, location or online link, and candidate/registration number. Have it accessible offline in case network access is unreliable.
Know your delivery format
Confirm whether you sit the exam at a test centre or proctored online. The logistics differ substantially (arrival time, room rules, software checks), so verify this early rather than on the morning of the test (confirm with the provider).
Remote-proctoring system check
If testing online, run the provider's system/equipment check in advance: camera, microphone, browser version, bandwidth, and any required lockdown software. Resolve failures at least 48 hours ahead so you have time to escalate.
Permitted items list
Ask the provider which items are allowed into the test room (e.g., water, tissues, scratch paper, calculator, pen). Policies vary; bring only what is explicitly permitted and leave everything else at home or in storage.
Break and timing policy
Confirm the number and length of breaks, whether breaks are timed, and whether you can leave the room during them. Plan hydration and snacks around the actual break structure (confirm with the provider).
Scoring and results timeline
Know the score scale, pass mark or reporting method, and when results are released. This reduces anxiety and helps you decide how to pace yourself during the test.
Route and arrival buffer
For a test centre, plan the route in advance and arrive with a comfortable buffer before the reporting time. Check local transport disruptions the day before; late arrival can mean refused admission.
Rest and nutrition plan
Protect sleep in the final nights and eat a normal meal before the test. Avoid new caffeine levels or unfamiliar foods on test day to prevent avoidable discomfort.
Practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one full-length timed practice run in the final 72 hours so you know your pacing, stamina, and where you tend to lose time. Review errors rather than just the score.
Backup plan for technical failure
If testing online, know the provider's support contact and procedure for disconnections or software failure. Keep a phone nearby only if the provider permits it for support purposes (confirm with the provider).
Emergency contact and contingency
Note the provider's contact details in case of illness, travel disruption, or a last-minute problem. Understand the reschedule/cancellation policy before the day, not after (confirm with the provider).
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate handbook and confirm every logistical detail: start time, location or link, ID requirements, permitted items, and break rules. Do one full timed practice test and review wrong answers to identify your weakest topics. Stop learning brand-new material; consolidate what you already know. Prepare and pack your ID, confirmation, and permitted items so nothing is left to chance.
Do a light review of summaries and formula sheets only, not heavy new practice. Confirm your route or run the remote-proctoring system check one final time. Charge devices and set two alarms. Choose clothes and meals for the next day. Aim for a normal night's sleep; avoid late-night cramming that trades sleep for marginal gains.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the test centre with your buffer, or log in early for a remote session and complete identity checks. Bring only permitted items. Do a short warm-up of easy questions rather than hard problems. Use the restroom before the test starts, since break rules may be restrictive.
Read the instructions and interface carefully before starting. Track time against the number of questions to avoid over-investing in one item; flag and move on when stuck. Use breaks as permitted to stand, hydrate, and reset. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact support immediately rather than continuing, and note times and details for any incident report. At the end, use any remaining review time to check flagged questions and confirm answers are recorded.
Rules to check
Bring the exact government-issued photo ID the provider requires, with names matching your registration. If your ID name differs from your registration, contact the provider before test day; admission may otherwise be refused (confirm with the provider).
Arrive or log in by the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Late arrival can result in refused admission or a shortened test, and rescheduling rules vary, so confirm the provider's policy in advance.
Bring only items the provider explicitly permits into the test room. Unauthorized materials, including notes, phones, or smart devices, are typically treated as misconduct and can void your result (confirm with the provider).
Follow all proctor instructions, whether in person or remote. This includes room scans, showing your workspace, keeping your face visible, and not communicating with others during the test.
Use breaks only as the provider allows. Know whether breaks are timed, whether the clock runs during them, and whether you may leave the room; unplanned breaks may not be permitted (confirm with the provider).
Understand the scoring before you sit: the score scale, pass mark if any, and whether wrong answers are penalized. This affects guessing strategy; verify the actual rule with the provider rather than assuming.
If a technical or personal issue disrupts the test, report it immediately to the proctor or support and keep a record of times and details. Do not attempt to resolve it silently, as undocumented incidents are harder to appeal.
Do not discuss, share, or reproduce exam content afterward. Most providers prohibit disclosing test questions, and doing so can invalidate your result.