CAAP Flight Dispatcher exam-day guide
CAAP Flight Dispatcher · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document / authorization to test
Bring the exact confirmation document your testing provider issues (often an authorization or eligibility letter plus your appointment confirmation). Rules differ by provider and country, so confirm with the provider which document is mandatory and whether a printed copy is required.
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name that matches your registration exactly. Many providers require a signature and a photo; confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second ID is needed.
Appointment confirmation with test center address and arrival time
Save the address and arrival time offline on your phone and on paper. Test centers are often in office parks or airport-adjacent buildings, and late arrival can mean refused admission. Confirm arrival time and late-arrival policy with the provider.
Knowledge of the exam blueprint and question format
Review the official content outline one last time: dispatch and flight planning, meteorology, navigation, aircraft performance and weight and balance, regulations, communications, and emergency procedures. Confirm the current blueprint, number of questions, and time limit with the provider, since these change between versions.
Approved reference material, only if the provider allows it
Most computer-based aviation exams supply needed data on screen or in a supplied supplement and do not permit personal notes or reference books. Do not assume you may bring charts, extracts, or a calculator; confirm with the provider what, if anything, is permitted.
Functioning calculator only if permitted
If the provider allows a calculator, bring a basic non-programmable type with fresh batteries. If the exam supplies an on-screen calculator, leave yours at home. Confirm with the provider.
Plan for personal items and storage
Expect to empty pockets and store bags, phones, and watches in a locker. Confirm what is prohibited in the testing room; smart watches and phones are commonly banned outright.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
A dispatch exam is long and calculation-heavy. Sleep normally for two nights before, eat a normal breakfast, and bring water and a snack for the break if the provider permits items in the waiting area.
Logistics: route, parking, and backup transport
Do a dry run or check traffic patterns for the arrival time. Aim to arrive well before your appointment; confirm the provider's recommended arrival buffer.
Study materials for the final review only
Bring a concise one-page summary of formulas and memory items (fuel calculations, weight and balance, altimetry, holding and approach minimums) to review in the waiting area, then store it before entering the room.
Backup plan for technical failure
If the exam is delivered remotely, confirm the provider's system requirements, test your camera and connection the day before, and know the contact number for technical support. Confirm remote-proctoring rules with the provider.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's candidate services number so you can call immediately if you are delayed, ill, or locked out. Confirm the reschedule and no-show policy in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm appointment details, ID requirements, and permitted items directly with the provider, and resolve any name mismatch between your ID and registration immediately. Take one full-length timed practice test under exam conditions to check pacing and identify weak areas, then spend remaining study time only on those areas.
Stop learning new material. Review your error log and the formulas and memory items you most often miss: fuel burn and reserve calculations, weight and balance shifts, pressure altitude and density altitude, and takeoff and landing performance. Re-read the official content outline to confirm coverage.
Do a light review of your one-page summary, prepare documents and ID in one place, check transport and parking, and confirm the arrival time. Avoid heavy study, alcohol, and late nights. Set two alarms.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early per the provider's guidance, keep your phone off and stored, and use the waiting time for a calm review of formulas rather than new topics. Present your ID and admission documents at check-in.
Read each question fully, note key constraints (fuel, wind, weight, time), and do calculations on the supplied materials only. Answer easier questions first if the format allows navigation, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Watch the clock and reserve time to review flagged questions. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor immediately rather than continuing.
Note your unofficial result if one is provided, keep any score report, and confirm with the provider how and when official results are issued and what the retake policy and waiting period are.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID and admission documents the provider requires; a name mismatch or expired ID can result in refused admission and loss of your fee. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Arrive at or before the provider's stated arrival time. Late arrival is commonly treated as a no-show; confirm the late-arrival and reschedule policy in advance.
Do not bring unauthorized materials into the testing room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and personal reference books are typically prohibited; possession during the exam can lead to invalidation. Confirm permitted items with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions. Unauthorized communication, leaving the room without permission, or attempting to copy questions can void your result and may affect future eligibility.
Use only the breaks the provider allows. Confirm whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are permitted and whether the clock stops; for computer-based tests, the timer often keeps running.
Scoring is typically based on the number of correctly answered questions with no penalty for guessing unless the provider states otherwise; confirm the scoring method and passing standard with the provider.
If equipment fails or you feel unwell, notify the proctor immediately and ask for the incident to be documented; do not attempt to fix the system yourself.
Results and retake rules are set by the provider and the civil aviation authority. Confirm how official results are delivered, their validity period, and any waiting period before a retake.