SGS exam-day guide
SGS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID you used to register. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly. Do not rely on a photocopy or digital image unless the provider explicitly allows it.
Admission ticket or appointment confirmation
Download or print your confirmation. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or whether an electronic version is acceptable.
Test center location and travel plan
Confirm the exact address, entrance, and required arrival time with the provider. Plan backup transportation and identify parking or transit options in advance.
Candidate handbook or rules summary
Read the provider's current handbook for permitted and prohibited items, break policy, and scoring rules. Policies vary by provider and can change, so confirm details directly.
Secure storage plan for personal items
Test centers often limit what you can bring to the desk. Confirm with the provider whether lockers are available and what happens to prohibited items.
Comfort items (layers, water, snack)
Bring layers in case the room is cold. Confirm with the provider whether water, snacks, or gum are allowed at the desk or only during breaks.
Approved accommodations confirmation
If you requested accommodations, confirm approval and logistics with the provider well before test day. Bring any required approval documentation as instructed.
Backup plan for technical issues (if remote-proctored)
Confirm the provider's technical requirements, backup internet option, and support phone number. Test your equipment and login in advance if a system check is offered.
Time-management plan
Confirm whether a watch or timer is allowed; many centers prohibit personal watches. Practice pacing with the number of questions and time allowed.
Provider contact information
Save the provider's test-day support number and your emergency contact. Know whom to call if you are delayed or cannot access the test.
Sleep and nutrition routine
Keep your normal sleep schedule and eat a familiar breakfast. Avoid trying new caffeine or supplement routines on test day.
Light review materials
Bring only what the provider permits. Many centers prohibit notes and study materials in the testing room, so confirm what you can access during breaks.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment, ID requirements, test center location, and arrival time with the provider. Re-read the candidate handbook for permitted items and break rules. Keep review light and focused on weak areas. Protect sleep and avoid all-nighters.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, and approved comfort items. Lay out clothes and charge any permitted devices. Confirm travel plans and set multiple alarms. Stop heavy cramming and prioritize rest.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early per the provider's required arrival time. Bring only approved items and leave prohibited items at home or in secure storage. Stay calm and follow check-in instructions.
Read instructions carefully before starting. Use breaks only as the provider allows, and confirm whether the clock stops during breaks. Flag uncertain questions if the interface allows it, monitor your pace, and avoid spending too long on any single item. If a technical issue occurs, notify the proctor immediately.
Rules to check
Bring valid ID that matches your registration. Confirm accepted ID types and name-match rules with the provider before test day; do not assume a particular document will be accepted.
Arrive by the required time. Late arrival may result in forfeiture of your seat or test fee; confirm the provider's late-arrival policy in advance.
Bring only approved items. Prohibited items such as notes, phones, or watches may be confiscated or may lead to dismissal; confirm the exact list with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions and testing-center rules. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test or attempt to access unauthorized materials.
Confirm the break policy with the provider, including whether breaks are scheduled or unscheduled and whether the test clock stops. Do not assume breaks pause the timer.
Confirm scoring and pass rules with the provider. Do not assume whether wrong answers are penalized or whether partial credit is awarded.
Report any technical problem or distraction to the proctor immediately and ask for it to be documented. Do not attempt to fix equipment yourself if instructed otherwise.
Misconduct or violation of test-center rules can void your results. If you are unsure whether an item or action is allowed, ask the proctor before proceeding.