PECB Certified PSM Basic exam-day guide
PECB Certified PSM Basic · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document (passport, national ID card, or driver's licence) whose name matches your registration exactly. For remote proctoring, the same ID is used for the identity check at session start. If you registered under a variant spelling of your name, contact the provider before exam day to correct it; do not assume a secondary document will be accepted.
Exam appointment confirmation and candidate handbook
Keep the confirmation email with your appointment time, time zone, exam code, and delivery mode (test centre or online proctored) accessible. Re-read the candidate handbook section on allowed materials and session rules 72 hours before the exam, because those rules govern what you may bring into the room.
Confirm the exact start time in your local time zone
PECB appointments are often stated in a specific time zone. Convert to your local time, account for daylight-saving differences, and note that online proctored sessions usually require you to check in and complete system checks before the scheduled start. Arriving late can mean forfeiting the slot, so confirm the check-in window with the provider.
Stable internet, power, and a private room (online proctored only)
Use a wired or strong Wi-Fi connection, a charged laptop plus charger, and a closed room with a clear desk. Run the provider's system test on the same machine and network you will use on exam day, including webcam, microphone, and browser lockdown. Test-centre candidates can skip this item but should confirm the venue address and parking or transit in advance.
Approved reference materials only if the exam format allows them
PECB exams are generally closed-book, but confirm the specific rule for your exam version with the provider. If open-book or a supplied standards document is permitted, bring only the permitted printed or electronic copy in the permitted format. Never bring annotated notes, sticky tabs, or loose pages unless explicitly allowed. Mark as needs_review until confirmed.
No prohibited items within reach
Phones, smartwatches, headphones, second screens, notes, and study material must be put away or out of the room per proctor instructions. For online sessions, expect a 360-degree room scan and desk sweep at check-in. Keep water in a clear container only if the provider permits drinks.
Scratch paper and pen policy confirmed
Some deliveries allow an erasable whiteboard or blank paper; others prohibit all writing materials. Ask the provider in advance which applies to your session, and use only what the proctor approves. Unapproved paper found at your desk can trigger a conduct review.
Know the question format and time budget
PECB certification exams are typically multiple-choice, closed-book, and scored against a passing mark set by the certification scheme; confirm the exact number of questions, duration, and pass mark for PSM Basic with the provider. Write your per-question time budget on your approved scratch material before starting, and plan a final review pass.
Readiness check on the exam objectives
Use the official PECB exam preparation guide or candidate handbook to confirm the domains covered. In the last 72 hours, review your weak domain summaries and practice explaining each concept in one sentence rather than re-reading full course slides. Do not learn new topics the night before.
Rest, food, and medication plan
Schedule a normal night's sleep, a light meal before the session, and any necessary medication. For online exams, plan bathroom breaks before check-in, because leaving the camera view mid-exam may be logged as a rule violation. Confirm the provider's break policy in advance.
Backup plan for technical failure
Note the provider's support contact and have a phone nearby only if the proctor rules allow it for technical support. Know your appointment ID. If the session fails, do not restart on your own; follow the proctor or support instructions so the attempt is recorded correctly.
Post-exam steps understood
Know how results are communicated, the typical waiting period, and how to request a retake or appeal if needed. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on forum posts, since policies differ by scheme and delivery mode.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: appointment time in local time, delivery mode, venue or online check-in window, and the exact list of permitted materials. Run the system test if online. Resolve any name mismatch on your registration now. Then build a one-page summary of the exam domains from your own notes and identify the three weakest areas.
Do focused review of the weak areas using the official exam objectives as a checklist. Practice a timed set of questions under exam conditions to calibrate pace, then review every wrong answer for the underlying concept, not just the correct option. Stop adding new material.
Light review only: skim your one-page summary and key definitions. Prepare and lay out ID, confirmation, chargers, water, and any approved materials. Clear your desk and room if online. Set two alarms, confirm travel time to the test centre, and go to bed at a normal hour.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety, and re-read your one-page summary for 15 to 20 minutes only. Log in or arrive early per the provider's instructions, complete ID verification and the room scan calmly, and keep the desk clear. Close other applications and silence devices.
Read the instructions and note the question count and remaining time. Write your per-question time budget on approved scratch material. Answer easier questions first if the interface allows flagging and review, and skip any question that stalls you beyond your budget.
Read each stem fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely', 'primary', or 'not'. Eliminate clearly wrong options first. For scenario questions, identify the role and the phase of the process before choosing. Flag uncertain items and return to them in the review pass rather than changing answers on impulse.
Use remaining time for flagged questions and to verify you have answered every item. Change an answer only when you can name a concrete reason the original choice is wrong. Submit deliberately and confirm the submission screen before closing the browser.
Note what felt difficult while it is fresh, keep your score report, and follow the provider's stated process for results and any retake. If a technical issue occurred, document it and contact support the same day.
Rules to check
Identification: present the original government-issued photo ID used at registration. The name must match your registration; if it does not, resolve it with the provider before exam day. Secondary or expired documents may not be accepted, so confirm the accepted ID types with the provider.
Closed-book default: assume no notes, books, or search tools unless the provider confirms otherwise for your exam version. Supplied standards documents, if any, must be used in the permitted format only, with no added annotations or loose inserts.
Prohibited devices: phones, smartwatches, headphones, and additional screens must be silenced and out of reach, or removed from the room for online sessions. Unauthorized devices visible during the session can lead to invalidation of the attempt.
Breaks: scheduled breaks and their rules vary by delivery mode. For online proctored exams, leaving the camera view may be recorded as a violation, so confirm the break policy with the provider before the session rather than assuming one is allowed.
Scoring: PECB exams are scored against a passing mark defined by the certification scheme, and results are reported through the provider's process. Do not rely on third-party claims about the pass mark; confirm the current scoring and result timeline in the official candidate handbook.
Conduct and integrity: follow all proctor instructions, do not communicate with anyone during the session, and do not share, record, or reproduce exam content afterward. Suspected misconduct is handled under the provider's code of ethics and can affect certification status.
Technical issues: if the platform fails, pause and contact the provider's support or the proctor using the approved channel. Do not attempt an unsupervised restart, because the attempt may not be recorded and a replacement session may not be granted automatically.
Time management is your responsibility: the timer runs continuously once the exam starts, and unanswered questions are scored as incorrect. Confirm whether the interface allows flagging and review, and plan your pace accordingly.