Four hours at a Prometric testing center represents the culmination of months of preparation. The approach taken during those hours affects outcomes as much as the study time invested beforehand.
These strategies address the practical elements of exam day performance: timing, logistics, mental preparation, and procedural compliance.
Scout the Testing Center Location
Prometric operates hundreds of testing centers throughout the United States. Distance to the nearest center varies significantly by geographic area.
Candidates can take the exam at any Prometric location regardless of their home state or licensing jurisdiction. The exam content remains identical across all testing sites.
Visit the testing center location at least once before exam day. Drive the route during the same time and day of week as the scheduled appointment to assess traffic patterns and travel time accurately. Testing center locations appear on the Prometric website using the “Locate” function.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Late arrivals forfeit their appointment without refund eligibility and must reschedule through the full application process again.
Prepare Required Documentation the Night Before
Prometric testing centers enforce strict identification requirements. Candidates must present two valid forms of identification containing both photograph and signature.
Primary identification options:
- Valid driver’s license from a U.S. jurisdiction
- Valid U.S. passport
- State identification card from U.S. states or territories
- U.S. Military identification
Secondary identification options:
- U.S. permanent residency card (green card)
- Additional primary identification
Candidates also need their Notice to Schedule (NTS) form. The NTS includes the exam section identification number required for check-in. Multiple NTS forms exist for candidates registered for different sections—verify the correct form matches the scheduled exam section.
Pack all required items the night before and place them near the exit door. Print physical copies of the NTS rather than relying on mobile devices, which cannot be accessed once inside the testing facility.
Understand Testing Center Procedures
Candidates undergo metal detector scanning before entering the examination room. Personal belongings go into small storage lockers not designed for large items.
Prohibited items:
- Cell phones and electronic devices
- Watches
- Written notes or study materials
- Food and beverages (except in lockers)
- Outerwear
- Purses and bags
Only soft earplugs without wires or cords and center-supplied tissues are permitted in the testing room. All scratch paper and materials issued by test administrators must be returned. Used scratch paper must be returned before receiving new sheets.
Water bottles and necessary medications can remain in the locker for access during breaks.
Candidates receive 10 minutes to navigate three introductory screens before the exam begins. Exceeding this time limit ends the session without the ability to restart.
Manage Time During the Exam
Each CPA exam section contains multiple testlets and task-based simulations totaling four hours of testing time. Writing a time plan on the noteboard before beginning helps track progress throughout the exam.
Create a timeline allocating specific minutes to each testlet and simulation. Compare actual timing against the plan using the on-screen countdown timer. Candidates must remove watches before entering the testing room, making the computer timer the only time-tracking method available.
Allocate approximately 45 minutes per testlet and simulation, totaling 3 hours and 45 minutes, with 15 minutes as buffer time. Adjust time allocation based on individual pacing preferences and section-specific challenges.
Flag difficult multiple-choice questions and return to them after completing easier items. Spending excessive time on single questions reduces available time for the remainder of the testlet.
Utilize the Mid-Exam Break Strategically
A 15-minute break becomes available after the third testlet. Use this break to maintain focus through the final simulation section.
Break time activities include:
- Drinking water or eating snacks from the locker
- Using restroom facilities
- Walking in the lobby area
- Brief meditation or stretching
Electronic devices and phones remain prohibited during breaks. Account for re-entry security procedures when timing the break duration.
Four consecutive hours of concentrated testing creates mental fatigue. The break provides necessary cognitive recovery for the final exam components.
Prepare Mentally the Day Before
Avoid intensive cramming the day before the exam. Information not learned during the preparation period will not be effectively absorbed in last-minute study sessions.
Conduct comprehensive review during the two weeks preceding the exam date. Use practice exams and final review materials to identify remaining weak areas, then address those specific topics.
Schedule relaxing activities the day before testing. Adequate sleep affects concentration, information recall, and problem-solving ability during the four-hour exam session.
Light review of flashcards or summary notes the evening before maintains familiarity without creating additional stress.
Practice with Simulated Exam Software
Prometric offers Test Drive, a 30-minute simulation of the complete testing center experience including check-in and testing procedures. This preview reduces uncertainty about exam day logistics.
Prometric CPA exam software includes a basic calculator, and hand-held calculators are forbidden. Practice with the software calculator and spreadsheet tools before exam day eliminates unfamiliar technology as a distraction during testing.
Simulated exams replicate the exact timing, question format, and software interface of the actual CPA exam. Take at least 100-120 multiple-choice questions during practice exams to build stamina and timing skills.
Avoid Common Exam Day Errors
Arriving after the scheduled appointment time results in Prometric denying admission without obligation to reschedule. The full examination fee is lost, and candidates must reapply through their state board.
Bringing the incorrect NTS form leads to a “no-show” designation. Candidates with multiple exam sections scheduled across different dates face particular risk of this error.
Talking to other candidates during the exam about test content, materials, or questions violates Prometric regulations and jeopardizes exam validity.
Understand Pretest Questions
Each section contains approximately 10-15 pretest multiple-choice questions and one pretest task-based simulation or written communication. These questions test future exam content and do not affect scores.
Pretest questions are not identified or marked differently from scored questions. Answer every question as if it contributes to the final score. Attempting to identify pretest items wastes time and creates unnecessary distraction.
Stay Focused on Progress
Individual questions do not determine pass or fail outcomes. Worrying about submitted questions that cannot be changed reduces concentration on remaining items.
Testlet difficulty increases for candidates performing well on initial sections. Encountering harder questions indicates strong performance on earlier testlets rather than failure on current items.
Maintain steady pacing throughout the exam. Rushing through early sections to bank extra time often leads to careless errors that offset any timing advantage gained.
Check Email Confirmation Details
Prometric sends email confirmation after completing the scheduling process. This confirmation includes appointment date, time, location, and section identification number.
Review confirmation details immediately upon receipt. Errors in scheduled sections or times can be corrected through the Prometric website using the confirmation number.
Confirm the appointment 24 hours before the scheduled exam through the Prometric website. This verification catches any system errors or location changes before exam day.