FRM exam-day checklist: ID, calculator, arrival and breaks
Bring your original valid passport or qualifying driver’s license, your printed appointment confirmation, and an approved calculator. Check that the names match, arrive for check-in before the appointment start, and remember that breaks do not stop the four-hour clock.
| Before leaving | Required check |
|---|---|
| Identification | Original, valid, unexpired passport or driver’s license with photo. A license must be issued by the country of the test site. |
| Confirmation | Print the appointment email. First, last and any middle names/initials must match your ID. |
| Calculator | Bring a model expressly permitted by GARP, with working battery. |
| Appointment | Verify the center, date, time and route. Late arrival can forfeit admission and fees. |
- Admission
- Original ID + printoutAn electronic appointment email is not accepted.
- Calculator
- Approved modelCheck the exact model against GARP’s list.
- Breaks
- Clock continuesCarry ID and follow the proctor’s instructions.
Approved calculator families
Check the full GARP policy for your exact model before the sitting. Do not assume another calculator from the same manufacturer is permitted.
| Manufacturer | Permitted models listed by GARP |
|---|---|
| Texas Instruments | BA II Plus, including BA II Plus Professional. |
| Hewlett Packard | 12C, including Platinum, Platinum 25th Anniversary, 30th Anniversary and Prestige editions. |
| Hewlett Packard | 10B II, 10BII+ and 20B. |
Your exam-day sequence
Use your appointment confirmation and proctor instructions for the actual check-in arrangements. The suggested preparation actions below are editorial guidance.
- 1
Before travel
Check ID, printed confirmation, calculator, route and appointment time.
- 2
At check-in
Present the documents and follow the testing center’s storage and security instructions.
- 3
During the sitting
Use the on-screen clock and provided scratch materials. Report problems to the proctor immediately.
- 4
Before leaving
Confirm final answers and submission, then follow the proctor’s completion instructions.
Store devices and plan breaks
Store personal belongings as directed. Phones must be completely off; airplane mode is insufficient. The policy restricts access to stored belongings during the exam. Scratch paper and a pencil are provided. Take your ID when leaving the workstation; time continues during breaks.
Original worked example
Your appointment email is saved on your phone, and your phone can display your digital license. Is that enough for admission?
No. The policy requires a printed appointment confirmation and original qualifying identification.
Resolve missing documents and name mismatches before exam day. Do not assume digital versions will be accepted because they were accepted at another test.
If something goes wrong
Raise a hand and tell the proctor immediately if the workstation, calculator or testing environment creates a problem. Follow the center’s instructions rather than attempting an unauthorized workaround. Record the permitted incident details and follow up with GARP through its official support channel if needed; do not copy exam content.
| Problem | Action |
|---|---|
| Name mismatch or expired ID | Resolve it with the issuer or GARP before the appointment. |
| Wrong location or time | Check the actual confirmation and contact the test provider promptly. |
| Computer issue | Notify the proctor immediately and follow the incident process. |
| Need a restroom break | Follow proctor instructions, take ID and account for the running clock. |
Resolve admission problems before you travel
Compare the names on your appointment and original identification while there is still time to correct a mismatch. Check the expiry date and the qualification rules for the type of ID. A digital copy, a payment receipt or an account screen should not be treated as a replacement for the documents named in GARP’s policy.
Read the appointment confirmation for the actual location and start time. A city can have more than one test center, and an old confirmation may describe a previous booking. Plan the route to the confirmed address and allow practical time for travel and check-in. Follow any center-specific instructions that accompany the appointment.
Check the exact calculator model and practise with that device before the day. Test the operations you expect to use and its battery condition. Familiarity with a phone calculator or spreadsheet does not establish familiarity with the permitted physical calculator. Use GARP’s model list as the admission reference rather than assuming that a similar name is sufficient.
Use the proctor for procedural problems and the clock for pacing
If an instruction or technical problem is unclear, raise it with the proctor. Do not attempt to repair the workstation, access a stored device or improvise a procedure that conflicts with test-center rules. Follow the authorized process and keep any permitted incident information for a later support inquiry.
A break consumes exam time, so include it in the time remaining when you resume. For example, leaving with 90 minutes on the clock and returning eight minutes later leaves about 82 minutes, before any other elapsed time. Reassess the remaining questions and review reserve instead of continuing from the old checkpoint.
At the end, follow the system and proctor’s submission instructions. The result is not established by how you feel when leaving the center. Use the official result-notification process and the published timing policy, and keep any follow-up separate from recalled exam content. The schedule page explains the result window without inventing an exact release day.
Common questions
- Can I show my confirmation on my phone?
- No. GARP requires a printed confirmation of appointment email.
- Is any government photo ID accepted?
- No. Use an original valid passport or qualifying driver’s license under the policy, including the test-country rule for a license.
- Can I use a TI BA II Plus Professional?
- It is included in GARP’s published permitted calculator list.
Sources and editorial notes
By MiloPrep editorial team. Source check: . Official requirements and product information can change. Examples and planning allocations are independent teaching material, not official questions or passing standards.
- GARP: exam policies ↗
Identification, calculator rules, refunds, deferrals, appointment changes and certification deadlines.
- GARP: program and exams ↗
Exam counts, timing, topic areas, preparation benchmark and results policy.
MiloPrep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GARP or the named providers. FRM and provider names are trademarks of their respective owners. Editorial methodology.