QABA QASP-S exam-day guide
QABA QASP-S · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original (not a photocopy) of a current photo ID. The name must match your QABA registration exactly - confirm the accepted ID types and the name-change procedure with QABA before test day. [needs_review]
Appointment confirmation / authorization to test
Have your scheduling confirmation and any authorization email or code accessible. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or whether a digital copy on your phone is acceptable. [needs_review]
Testing platform login and check-in link
Verify your username and password work at least a day ahead, and save the proctor check-in link where you can find it quickly. Do not change your password on the morning of the exam unless the provider instructs you to.
Computer with camera, microphone, and speakers
For a remotely proctored exam, use a reliable laptop or desktop, not a tablet or phone unless the provider confirms mobile is supported. Run any required system or equipment check in advance. [needs_review]
Stable internet plus a backup connection
Wired or strong Wi-Fi, with a phone hotspot as backup, and the charger plugged in. Know the provider's procedure for reporting a disconnection before it happens.
Private, quiet, well-lit testing room
Clear the desk of papers, books, phones, and second screens. Confirm the provider's environment rules, such as whether a closed door, a 360-degree room scan, or a specific camera angle is required. [needs_review]
Permitted materials only
Scratch paper, pencils, calculators, and on-screen tools are permitted or prohibited depending on the provider's rules. Confirm this in the candidate handbook rather than assuming - do not bring notes, study guides, or unauthorised aids. [needs_review]
Candidate handbook reviewed
Read the current QABA candidate handbook for the content outline, number of scored items, time limit, passing standard, and retake policy. Confirm all figures on the QABA website, since these change over time. [needs_review]
Accommodation approval status confirmed
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or another accommodation, confirm it was approved and check how it will be applied to your exam session. [needs_review]
Plan to check in early
Aim to begin the check-in process well before your scheduled start time so that ID verification and room scans do not eat into your exam time. Confirm the exact check-in window with the provider. [needs_review]
Break and refreshment plan
Keep water and a snack nearby for after the exam. Confirm in advance whether scheduled breaks exist and whether the timer keeps running during them. [needs_review]
Technical support contact saved
Save the provider's technical support phone number or chat link so you can reach a person immediately if the platform fails during check-in or during the exam.
Plan the day
Re-read the QABA candidate handbook: exam outline, timing, passing standard, and retake rules. Write down the exact start time in your local time zone and set two alarms.
Run the provider's system or equipment test on the exact computer and network you will use. If any component fails, fix it now, not on exam morning.
Confirm your ID name matches your registration, confirm whether printed confirmation is needed, and confirm your accommodation status if applicable.
Do a light, targeted review of weak content areas using your own notes and the published content outline. Stop adding new material and prioritise sleep over cramming.
Prepare the room: clear the desk, remove prohibited items, test lighting, and confirm the door and camera positioning meet the provider's requirements. [needs_review]
Charge devices, locate chargers, confirm the backup hotspot works, and save the check-in link, login credentials, and technical support number in one place.
Lay out your ID, confirmation, water, and any permitted materials. Confirm the next day's schedule and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine if you are jittery, and do not start a last-minute cram session on unfamiliar material.
Log in and begin check-in early as instructed by the provider. Close other applications, silence notifications, and put your phone away unless it is your documented backup connection. [needs_review]
Read the instructions screen closely, including how to flag or review items and how to submit the exam. Ask the proctor if anything is unclear before the timer starts.
Answer every item - unless the provider states otherwise, unanswered items simply score as wrong. Flag uncertain items and return to them if time permits.
Pace yourself against the total item count and time limit; check your progress at roughly the halfway point rather than watching the clock constantly.
Read each item stem fully, watch for absolute words like 'always' and 'never', and eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing. For scenario items, identify the behaviour, the function or principle involved, and the best-matched response.
If the platform freezes or disconnects, stay calm, do not restart or open new tabs on your own, and contact the provider's technical support immediately, noting the time and what happened.
Before submitting, use any available review feature to confirm no item is left blank, then submit deliberately and note the time.
Rules to check
Bring the exact original photo ID you registered with. If your legal name has changed or does not match your registration, contact QABA before test day - do not guess at the fix.
Only use materials the provider explicitly permits. Note paper, calculators, and on-screen tools vary by delivery format, so confirm in the handbook rather than bringing what 'everyone brings'. [needs_review]
Treat all exam content as confidential. Do not copy, photograph, discuss, or post items, and do not accept recalled questions from others - doing so can void your result and your eligibility.
Confirm the break policy in advance. Unscheduled breaks may not pause the timer, and leaving the camera view without permission may be treated as a testing irregularity. [needs_review]
Your result is determined by the provider's scoring procedure, not by an informal count of questions you think you missed. Confirm the passing standard, score-report timing, and retake limits with QABA rather than relying on secondhand reports. [needs_review]
Report any technical failure or interruption immediately to the proctor or provider support and keep a record of the time and details. Do not attempt to troubleshoot by restarting the exam yourself.
Do not bring or use unauthorised electronic devices, notes, or another person's assistance in the testing environment. Phones must be stowed unless the provider explicitly allows one as a backup connection.
Follow all proctor instructions, including ID verification, room scans, and requests to adjust your camera. If you believe an instruction is inconsistent with the published rules, ask the proctor to clarify and, if unresolved, raise it in writing with QABA afterward.