SEC CO/AP exam-day guide
SEC CO/AP · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. A passport or driver's license is typical. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a secondary ID is required; do not rely on a photocopy or a digital ID in an app.
Exam appointment confirmation
Print or save offline the confirmation showing your test date, time, location or online proctoring link, and any candidate ID number. You may be asked to show it at check-in, and you do not want to depend on venue Wi-Fi to retrieve it.
Know your testing mode and delivery platform
Confirm whether you sit the exam at a test center or via remote proctoring, and which platform delivers it. Remote delivery usually requires a system check in advance (camera, microphone, browser lockdown). Confirm with the provider which browsers and operating systems are supported.
Arrive early / log in early
Plan to reach the test center well before your appointment so there is slack for traffic, security screening, and ID verification. For remote delivery, start the check-in process early to allow for photo capture and room scan. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival or check-in window and the late-arrival cutoff.
Review the published exam blueprint and question format
Know the domains, the approximate number of scored questions, whether there are unscored pretest items, and whether question types include multiple response, hotspot, drag-and-drop, or scenario sets. This shapes how you pace yourself. Confirm the current blueprint on the provider's site, since outlines change between versions.
Confirm break and timing policy
Find out whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or unavailable, whether the clock stops during breaks, and whether you can leave the testing room. Policies differ sharply between test-center and remote delivery. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Confirm scoring, pass mark, and result timing
Know whether scoring is criterion-referenced against a cut score, whether results are immediate or delayed, and how a provisional result is confirmed. Do not assume a specific passing score; confirm with the provider.
Confirm what materials are provided or prohibited
Many exams supply scratch paper or an on-screen notepad and prohibit personal items such as phones, smart watches, notes, and outside calculators. Confirm with the provider what is allowed; if a calculator or reference sheet is built into the exam, practice with that version beforehand.
Plan logistics: route, parking, food, medication
Scout the route and parking in advance, and account for security lines. Eat a normal meal and hydrate. If you take medication or need an accommodation, confirm with the provider in advance how accommodations are requested and approved, since they are rarely granted on test day.
Prepare a quiet, cleared remote-testing space (if applicable)
For remote proctoring, clear the desk, remove wall notes and devices, close other applications, and check lighting and internet stability. Have your ID ready for the room scan. Confirm with the provider the specific room and equipment rules.
Rest and a backup plan
Sleep on a normal schedule the night before and avoid last-minute cramming of new topics. Have a backup contact number for the testing provider in case of a technical failure or venue problem, and know the reschedule policy before test day.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read the exam blueprint and confirm every administrative detail: appointment time, ID requirements, delivery mode, permitted materials, break policy, and accommodation status. Do one timed practice set under exam conditions to calibrate pacing, then review only your error patterns. Confirm travel and parking logistics, and check that any remote-testing system check has been completed and passed.
Do a light review of high-yield summaries and your own error log; no new topics. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one place by the door. Charge devices and test your internet and camera if remote. Set two alarms, confirm the start time in the correct time zone, and go to bed at a normal hour. Avoid alcohol and heavy late meals.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Dress in layers for variable room temperature. Leave with buffer time for traffic and security. For remote delivery, log in early, complete the room scan, and silence and stow your phone as instructed. Do not cram in the waiting area; a brief skim of a one-page summary is enough.
Read the full question and every option before answering; watch for qualifiers such as 'best', 'first', or 'except'. Answer the easy items first and flag long scenario questions to return to. Budget time against the number of questions and leave a few minutes to review flagged items. If the platform allows review and change, use it deliberately rather than second-guessing correct answers. If a technical problem occurs, stop and notify the proctor immediately rather than troubleshooting alone.
Note how your result will be delivered and when. If you did not pass, review the score report by domain to target the weakest areas before rescheduling. Confirm with the provider any retake waiting period or attempt limit before booking again.
Rules to check
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID in your registered name; confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second ID is needed.
Arrive or check in early. Confirm with the provider the late-arrival cutoff, since candidates who arrive after it may be refused entry or have their appointment forfeited.
Follow all proctor instructions. Do not bring phones, smart watches, notes, or unauthorized materials into the testing room; possession of prohibited items can lead to invalidation. Confirm the permitted-items list with the provider.
Breaks are governed by the provider's policy: confirm whether they are scheduled or optional, whether the clock runs during them, and what you may access. Leaving the testing area without authorization can end your session.
Scoring is against a cut score set by the provider, and some exams include unscored pretest items. Do not assume a specific pass mark or a percentage-based result; confirm the scoring and reporting method with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not attempt to record, photograph, or share exam content. Such conduct is typically treated as a testing-integrity violation.
Request any accommodation well before test day; accommodations are generally not granted on the spot. Confirm the request process and deadlines with the provider.
If a technical failure or emergency occurs, notify the proctor or provider immediately and follow their instructions; confirm the incident-reporting and reschedule policy in advance.