CMA exam day: ID, calculator and arrival checklist
Arrive at your Prometric center 30 minutes before your CMA appointment. Bring original, unexpired identification that matches your authorization name and an approved calculator. Check the handbook’s exact ID combinations before traveling; a photo of an ID is not enough.
| When | Do this | Avoid this failure |
|---|---|---|
| At least a week before | Resolve any name mismatch with IMA. | Handbook name changes require at least seven days. |
| Day before | Check confirmation, route, IDs and calculator. | Do not discover an expired ID at the center. |
| 30 minutes before | Arrive for check-in and security procedures. | The handbook warns that arrival more than 15 minutes late loses the sitting. |
| Before entering | Follow staff instructions for belongings and provided scratch materials. | Do not bring personal notes or unauthorized devices into the test room. |
Check the actual identification combination
The handbook accepts one qualifying primary ID or two qualifying secondary IDs. Primary ID must be original, unexpired and include a photo and signature. Secondary combinations must supply the required photo and signature. Do not assume two arbitrary cards qualify.
| Option | Examples in the handbook | Check before leaving |
|---|---|---|
| One primary ID | Passport, qualifying national ID or government driver’s license | Original, unexpired, photo, signature and exact authorization-name match. |
| Two secondary IDs | The handbook lists specific regional IDs and a signed bank card. | Use only an accepted combination; one must have a photo and one a signature. |
| Not sufficient | Photocopies or electronic downloads | Bring the physical original documents. |
Rehearse with an allowed calculator
The handbook permits a basic calculator limited to six functions, plus the specifically listed Texas Instruments BA II Plus, HP 10bII+, HP 12c and HP 12c Platinum models. Only one calculator is allowed. Inspect the current policy for exact restrictions instead of assuming any finance calculator is acceptable.
Turn the checklist into a ready-to-leave exam kit
Lay out the physical identification you intend to present and compare the name with your authorization. An appointment email, a photograph of a document and an expired original are different things. Resolve a mismatch before travel instead of expecting the test center to change your record at check-in.
Check the center address, the appointment time and your route using the actual confirmation. Allow for transport delays and the time needed to complete check-in. If you require an accommodation, use the approved arrangements rather than assuming staff can add one on arrival.
Practise with the permitted calculator you will take. Check its condition and learn the operations you need without relying on another device. Keep personal study materials out of the testing area and follow staff instructions about storage and supplied scratch materials.
What to do when the appointment does not go as expected
If a technical problem occurs, notify the test administrator while it is happening. Describe the screen or equipment problem without copying protected exam content. Follow the administrator’s instructions and retain any permitted incident or appointment reference for a later inquiry.
If admission is refused or a booking appears incorrect, distinguish the immediate center process from an IMA registration question. A staff member can explain the local event, but that does not itself authorize a refund, another window or a change to exam rules. Use the official contact route and your confirmation records for follow-up.
After the exam, record administrative details you may need, such as the date and center, rather than reconstructing exam questions. Results are a separate process; avoid judging an outcome from how difficult the final items felt.
| Situation | Useful information to retain |
|---|---|
| Technical interruption | Appointment details and any permitted incident reference. |
| Authorization or name mismatch | The existing confirmation and the explanation received. |
| Result inquiry | Part, testing date and the IMA account associated with the registration. |
From check-in to the final section
Follow the center’s security and check-in instructions. Report technical or testing problems to the administrator while you are there. Keep enough time for both scenario sets and remember that leaving MCQs is irreversible.
Step 1
Check in
Present the correct ID, complete required identity/security procedures, and store belongings as directed.
Step 2
Check the screen
Read the instructions, confirm your part and familiarize yourself with the controls before starting.
Step 3
Manage the sections
Use an MCQ pacing reference, then complete the applicable CBQ or essay section.
Step 4
Finish and retain records
Complete the exit steps. Preserve permitted confirmation details, never exam content.
Common questions
- Can I use a photo of my passport?
- No. The handbook requires original identification and excludes photocopies and electronic downloads.
- Can I bring two calculators?
- No. The handbook allows only one calculator. Verify the model and condition beforehand.
- Should I rely on the late-arrival cutoff?
- No. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. The handbook and FAQ use different late-arrival wording; follow the stricter handbook warning and your appointment instructions.
Sources and editorial notes
Source check: . MiloPrep editorial team. Official facts and provider offer claims are identified below. Study schedules, examples and recommendations are editorial; they are not official questions, a required study-hour total or a passing guarantee.
- IMA CMA Handbook, March 2026 (PDF) ↗
Pages 4-6: certification deadlines; 7-9: format, windows, older registration cutoffs and appointment changes; 10-13: exam day, scoring and reports. The current CBQ purchase page describes a different, eight-month authorization period.
MiloPrep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by IMA or the providers discussed. Editorial methodology · About the editorial team.