The 15-point preparation checklist

Exam day nerves are universal. Your preparation is solid, but one overlooked technical detail — a slow internet connection, a notification pop-up, a microphone that stopped working — can derail hours of study. This checklist ensures nothing is left to chance.

Work through this list systematically, starting one week before your scheduled test and continuing through to login. Check items off as completed. Do not skip anything.

Technical infrastructure (7 days before)

1. Test your internet connection

Visit speedtest.net and record your results:

• Download speed: _____ Mbps (target: 10+)
• Upload speed: _____ Mbps (target: 5+)
• Ping/latency: _____ ms (target: below 50ms)

Run this test at least 3 times across different days and times. Internet quality varies. If any result shows download below 5 Mbps, contact your ISP or arrange alternative testing location.

2. Run the platform's system check tool

Visit Prometric.com or TAO (depending on your test platform) and complete their system compatibility check. This tool verifies:

• Operating system compatibility
• Browser version and compatibility
• Webcam and microphone functionality
• Screen resolution
• Disk space availability

If the system check fails on any item, fix it immediately. Do not assume you will resolve issues on exam day.

3. Test your camera and microphone

Many devices have cameras and microphones, but they may not work with your platform. Test explicitly:

• Open your browser's developer tools (F12)
• Visit a video chat site (Zoom, Google Meet) and test video and audio
• Record a 30-second video of yourself speaking and play it back
• Verify the microphone picks up your voice clearly

If you find issues, test with an external webcam or USB microphone before exam day.

4. Update your browser to the latest version

Open your browser → Settings/Preferences → About. If an update is available, install it immediately. Outdated browsers cause compatibility problems. Do this 3-4 days before your exam so any restart can complete.

5. Disable browser extensions that might interfere

Extensions (ad blockers, password managers, VPNs, translation tools) can conflict with proctoring software. Disable them temporarily:

• Chrome: Settings → Extensions → toggle off
• Firefox: Add-ons → disable all

Keep a list of what you disabled so you can re-enable them after the test.

Environment preparation (3 days before)

6. Inspect and prepare your testing room

Visit the room at the same time of day as your scheduled exam. Verify:

• Lighting is adequate and consistent (no harsh shadows or glare on your monitor)
• Background is neutral and free of distracting items
• There is no visible study material, notes, books, or phones
• Room is quiet (silence your phone, inform household members)
• Door can be locked and does not have disruptions expected
• Temperature is comfortable (you will sit for 2-3 hours)

7. Prepare your desk

Your desk must contain only:

• Your computer
• External monitor (if applicable)
• Keyboard and mouse
• One blank piece of scratch paper
• One pen or pencil
• A glass or bottle of water (in an unmarked container)

Clear everything else. The proctor scans your desk during verification.

8. Verify your identification document

Ensure your photo ID is:

• Not expired (check expiration date now, not the morning of your exam)
• Physically accessible and readable
• A valid passport, national ID card, or driver's license

Prepare a secondary ID as backup (in case the proctor has questions about the first).

The day before your exam

9. Do a full system and environment re-check

Repeat checks #1, #3, and #6. Even overnight, your system may have updated or environmental conditions may have changed. Verification takes 10 minutes; failure discovers on exam day does not.

10. Review the Notice of Competition

Re-read the Notice for your competition, paying attention to:

• Exact exam start time (confirm your timezone)
• Duration of each test section
• Login window (typically 15-20 minutes before start)
• Reference documents or tools permitted (calculator, reference materials)
• What to do if technical failure occurs
• Proctor contact information for emergency issues

11. Clear your workspace of distractions

Disable notifications on all devices:

• Computer: disable system notifications, email pop-ups, messaging apps
• Phone: silence all notifications, set to "Do Not Disturb" mode
• Smartwatch: remove or silence
• Tablet or secondary device: turn off and store out of reach

If you use a smartphone as a timer, disable WiFi and cellular connections so it cannot receive notifications.

12. Arrange household cooperation

Inform everyone in your household:

• Your exam date, time, and duration
• That you must have absolute silence and no interruptions
• That door must remain closed and locked
• What to do in case of genuine emergency (very rare)

Consider having them leave your home if possible, or at minimum stay in a different part of the house with headphones.

Exam day (1 hour before login)

13. Use the bathroom and hydrate

You will be testing for 2-3 hours without breaks. Before you sit down:

• Use the toilet
• Drink a full glass of water
• Eat a light meal if you are hungry (not too heavy — heavy meals cause drowsiness)

Keep water nearby during the test, but do not over-hydrate (needing a bathroom break mid-test is disruptive and costs time).

14. Eliminate last-minute anxiety

20 minutes before login:

• Close all unnecessary browser tabs and applications
• Put your phone in another room
• Take three deep breaths
• Remind yourself: "I am prepared. I will focus on each question. I will not panic."

Do not review study notes in the final 20 minutes — it increases anxiety without improving performance.

15. Log in 15-20 minutes early

Set your alarm for login time minus 20 minutes. Do not wait until 2 minutes before your scheduled start. Early login allows time for:

• Proctor greeting and initial verification
• Unexpected technical issues (browser crash, microphone not recognized)
• Room scanning and ID checks
• Final system adjustments (lighting, camera positioning)

If verification takes longer than expected, you will have buffer time. If it goes quickly, you will have a few minutes to settle your mind before the test begins.

During the test: Key reminders

• Keep your face visible to the camera at all times
• Do not talk to yourself (even quietly) — the microphone picks it up
• If you must cough or clear your throat, do so quietly
• Do not leave your desk during the test
• Use only your keyboard and mouse (no external devices, no phone, no voice commands)
• If a technical issue occurs, notify the proctor immediately

What to avoid on exam day

• Do not try a new caffeine routine — stick to what your body knows
• Do not wear clothes you have never worn (discomfort distracts)
• Do not study or review in the hour before the test
• Do not check social media or news — stay focused
• Do not test your system one last time 5 minutes before login (it increases anxiety if something is wrong)

Success comes from preparation completed days earlier, not last-minute scrambling. Trust your work, follow this checklist, and you will minimize technical risks and maximize your performance.