SRS exam-day guide
SRS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type and name spelling your registration requires; the name on the ID should match the name on your registration record. If you have had a legal name change or use a shortened name, confirm the provider's policy on name matching before test day rather than assuming it will be accepted.
Appointment / scheduling confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your test date, time, location or remote-proctoring link, and confirmation number. Screenshot it as well, since a saved email may not load on a locked-down test device.
Candidate handbook or test-day rules summary
Re-read the provider's current candidate handbook or test-day policy page in the final week. Rules on permitted items, calculator use, and rescheduling windows change; the version you read at registration may be out of date.
Travel, parking, and route plan
Know the exact building and entrance, not just the street address. Test centers are often inside larger complexes with security screening. Confirm parking availability and any visitor check-in procedure with the site.
Backup plan for transport or connectivity
For an in-person test, identify a second route and a contact number for the site. For a remote-proctored test, know how to reach provider support if the platform fails and have a phone available as a fallback.
Scheduling details for breaks and total seat time
Confirm the total appointment length, whether breaks are fixed or optional, and whether clock time runs during breaks. Do not assume a scheduled break exists; verify with the provider.
Medications and permitted comfort items
If you need medication, food, water, or a medical device during the test, request any required accommodation in advance and confirm what you may bring into the room. Unapproved items are commonly refused at check-in.
Layers of clothing and a light snack for after
Room temperature is unpredictable, so dress in layers you can remove. Keep food and drink outside the testing room unless the provider permits otherwise, and plan something to eat before you leave.
Logistics for the rest of the day
Clear your calendar after the test. Avoid scheduling a flight, a shift, or a high-stakes commitment immediately afterward in case check-in or the appointment runs long.
Remote-testing workspace check (if applicable)
If testing from home, confirm a private room, a stable wired or strong connection, a working camera and microphone, and a clear desk surface. Run the provider's system check from the same room and device you will use on test day.
Emergency contact and provider support number
Save the provider's candidate services number to your phone in case of a late arrival, illness, or technical failure. Note that a documented emergency may or may not qualify for a reschedule; confirm the policy before the test date.
A realistic personal readiness check
Review your practice scores one last time. If you are far below your target, weigh whether sitting the exam now or rescheduling within the allowed window is the better choice, and confirm any reschedule fee or deadline with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Spend remaining study time on a short list of high-yield, frequently missed topics and on reviewing how you will pace yourself through each section. Confirm your appointment date, time, and location in writing.
Do a full logistics pass: route, parking, building entrance, check-in requirements, and travel time with a buffer. If testing remotely, complete the equipment and system check now so a problem surfaces with time to fix it.
Protect sleep. Shift bedtime gradually toward the schedule you will need on test day rather than making a sudden change the night before.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, permitted items, and anything needed for a medical or accommodation reason. Set out clothing in layers and place the bag by the door.
Do a light review only: formulas, frameworks, or key definitions you already know well. Do not take a full-length practice test the day before; a poor score at this point only adds stress without time to correct it.
Confirm the start time and arrival window, set two alarms, and note the provider support number. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a normal breakfast and limit caffeine to your usual amount. Arrive earlier than the stated window to absorb check-in, security, and any unexpected delays.
Leave non-permitted items at home or in the car, including smartwatches, phones, notes, and study materials. Lockers may be limited or unavailable; confirm storage rules with the site.
Follow proctor instructions exactly. Expect identity verification and possibly a photograph, signature, palm vein or fingerprint scan, and a room or workspace inspection. Ask the proctor before touching anything you are unsure about.
Read the on-screen tutorial and confirm how to flag items, navigate back, and access the clock. Note the total item count or section count so you can pace yourself instead of checking the clock constantly.
Work in passes: answer what you know, flag anything slow, and return to flagged items after clearing the section. Do not leave a question blank unless the format penalizes wrong answers; confirm the guessing policy before test day.
Take any permitted break even if you feel fine. Use it to stand, drink water, and reset; avoid discussing the exam with anyone, since candidate conduct rules may prohibit it.
Note anything that went wrong, such as a platform error or a disruptive test environment, and report it to the provider in writing promptly. Deadlines for filing a report or appeal are usually short; confirm the specific window with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring the identification the provider specifies and be prepared for the name on it to match your registration exactly. If your documents do not match, you may be turned away; confirm the acceptable ID policy with the provider in advance rather than on arrival.
Do not bring notes, phones, smartwatches, or any recording device into the testing room unless the provider explicitly permits it. Assume everything is subject to inspection and that unapproved items will be confiscated or could void your result.
Follow all proctor directions, including seating, screen sharing, room scans, and requests to adjust your camera. Refusal to comply is typically treated as a conduct issue, and the provider's candidate agreement governs the consequences.
Do not disclose, reproduce, or discuss exam content with others. Most certification programs treat the exam as confidential material and prohibit sharing questions or answers in any form.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules: some are scheduled and counted against your time, some are unscheduled, and some formats do not allow leaving the room. Confirm the break policy and whether the clock stops before test day.
Accommodations, including extra time, separate rooms, or permission to bring medical items, generally must be requested and approved before the test date. Submit requests early and confirm approval in writing with the provider.
Arrival and late-arrival rules vary by site and format. Do not assume you will be admitted after the start window; confirm the cutoff and the reschedule or forfeiture policy with the provider.
Scoring, pass/fail thresholds, and score reporting timelines are set by the provider and may include a preliminary versus official score distinction. Verify how and when results are released rather than relying on what other candidates report.