CAIA exam day: ID, confirmation and check-in
Bring acceptable original physical ID and a printed Prometric appointment confirmation. Check your registered name, photo and signature requirements before exam day; electronic copies are not accepted.
| Bring or check | Requirement | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Physical ID | Valid, original, government-issued; exact name match | Check English/translation, photo and signature rules |
| Signature | Required on qualifying ID | Bring acceptable secondary ID if the main ID lacks it |
| Appointment confirmation | Printed Prometric confirmation | Print it and check the name |
| Calculator | TI BA II Plus or an authorized HP 12C variant | Check the exact model against the handbook |
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Check your documents before the travel day
Compare the first and last names on your CAIA registration, physical ID and printed Prometric confirmation. The identification policy explains its treatment of middle names, name order, accents and translations. Read those details if your documents differ; do not rely on an informal assurance that the test center will overlook a mismatch.
The current policy requires original, valid physical identification and a printed appointment confirmation. If the main government-issued document lacks a signature, follow the acceptable secondary-ID requirements. Electronic copies do not replace the required documents. Contact CAIA at least 30 days before the testing window if you cannot meet the requirements or are unsure.
Pack for the appointment, not just the exam questions
Prepare your original ID, any required secondary ID, printed confirmation and an approved calculator. The handbook lists permitted TI BA II Plus and HP 12C models or variants; check your exact device rather than assuming any financial calculator is accepted. Know how to use your own calculator without notes.
Save the appointment address, start time and confirmation number somewhere you can access before entering the testing room. Plan travel and a buffer for finding the center. Personal items are subject to the center’s security procedures, so arrange food, medication or other needs through the applicable rules rather than assuming they can stay at your desk.
| Item | Check before leaving | Common preventable problem |
|---|---|---|
| ID | Validity, physical original, name and signature | A digital copy or expired document |
| Confirmation | Printed appointment details | Relying only on the email on a phone |
| Calculator | Exact approved model and familiar operation | An unfamiliar or unauthorized device |
| Travel plan | Location, route and arrival buffer | Confusing the test window with the booked time |
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Allow time for check-in and security
The handbook instructs candidates to arrive at least 30 minutes before the appointment. Check-in, identification review and security procedures precede the timed exam content. Follow staff instructions about belongings and permitted materials. Use the official test-day information to understand the process in advance.
If travel is disrupted or you realize a document is missing, contact the test center or CAIA using the official appointment and candidate-support details. Do not assume a late arrival will be admitted or that a missed appointment automatically transfers to another session. The practical safeguard is resolving foreseeable problems before the day.
Manage the two sections and the break
Before beginning, read the on-screen instructions and use the tutorial as intended. During a section, track your pace and review flagged work before ending it. Level I uses MCQs in both sections; Level II changes from MCQs to written sets. Prepare for that change in response task during practice.
The optional scheduled break is 30 minutes. Plan to return within the allowance; the handbook explains that extra break time reduces the second section. If you experience a technical or testing-room problem, tell the proctor promptly so it can be addressed and recorded. Do not quietly spend the whole section trying to solve an administrative problem yourself.
Handle appointment changes through the official route
A change of date, time or location within the same window goes through Prometric under CAIA’s scheduling rules. A different exam session is not the same type of change. Check the published deadlines and charges before altering plans; the blueprint calendar distinguishes registration deadlines from appointment-change deadlines.
If Prometric changes or cancels the appointment, read the new notice carefully and confirm the location, time and window. CAIA’s scheduling page explains the provider-cancellation process and candidate-support route. If you need an accommodation, follow the approval process before scheduling rather than trying to arrange it at check-in.
Keep records and wait for the official result notice
After leaving, retain administrative confirmations and any incident reference supplied by the center. Do not reproduce or distribute confidential exam questions. A short personal note about general preparation habits, such as pacing or calculator fluency, can inform later study without recording protected content.
CAIA emails candidates when results are available in their candidate account. Typical release timing is measured from the final day of the testing window, not your individual appointment. The blueprint page shows the usual timing and labels calculated planning dates as estimates, so you can distinguish them from an announced release day.
Common questions
- Can I show the confirmation on my phone?
- No. CAIA explicitly requires the printed Prometric appointment confirmation.
- What if my passport has no signature?
- The current policy permits an acceptable secondary ID containing your matching name and handwritten signature. Read the full policy and resolve uncertainty with CAIA before the deadline.
Sources and editorial notes
By MiloPrep editorial team. References checked 10 October 2026. Exam scope: 2027. The notes below identify what each reference supports. Provider claims are not independent outcome comparisons. Worked examples, study schedules and fit judgments are editorial; official exam dates are attributed separately.
- CAIA identification policy, updated 30 September 2026
Physical ID, signature, name match and printed Prometric confirmation requirements.
- CAIA 2027 Exam Handbook
Printed pp. 3-4: topic weights and format split. Page 15: question counts and section times. Pages 11, 13 and 16: arrival, calculators and break procedures. Our pacing checkpoints are arithmetic, not official rules.
- CAIA appointment scheduling and changes
Register before booking with Prometric. Seat availability, same-window appointment changes, rescheduling fees and the stated March 2027 no-fee deadlines.
- CAIA testing accommodations
Requests are due at least six weeks before the testing window. Wait for processing before booking. Remote testing is by approved accommodation only.
- CAIA candidate and membership FAQs
Retakes, results timing, membership requirements and permitted use of the designation.
MiloPrep is an independent study resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by CAIA Association or the named providers.