Exam Day Prep series Day 1
Congrats on making it this far in your CNS candidate journey! For some of you, this is your very last step before officially becoming a CNS! I am so excited for you, and thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your exam prep journey.
I know test day is right around the corner, and I’m sure you are feeling all the feels – excitement, nerves, the works!
I want to encourage you to proceed with confidence.
Here are some of my Last Minute Tips Before Exam Day:
#1 – Print your candidate letter. Consider clipping your license and candidate letter together and putting them in your purse, bag, or car ahead of test day. You will need both your license and candidate letter in order to check in to your test center. According to the BCNS Certifications manual 2025-2026, pages 26-27, these are the only requirements needed to check in to your test center.
#2 – Got specific questions about what you can bring, ear plug availability, check-in procedures, locker availability, etc.? Reach out to the testing company’s customer service. For many of you, this will be ISO Quality Testing. You should be able to find contact information on your registration receipt or confirmation email from the test company.
#3 – Map out your test center location ahead of time so that you know where you are going. Please, don’t wait to map it the morning or afternoon of your exam. If you have questions or need more clarity on identifying the exact suite number or location of your test center, in your candidate letter should be a number to the testing company’s customer service or search the name of your testing center and contact them directly.
#4 – Pro Tip – Consider having a friend, spouse, or family member drive you so you can focus on your exam and not traffic. This could give you a little extra time to refresh on certain concepts while you’re in the car – maybe review a last-minute flash card set. Alternatively, if driving is exceptionally relaxing to you – go for it! 🙂
#5 – Arrive at least 30 minutes early to your exam location. The BCNS recommends getting there at least 10 minutes ahead of time. From personal experience, I’d recommend getting to your location at least a half hour early because check-in procedures can take some time, depending on how many others are taking exams at your same location. If you’d like to start your exam as early as possible, you want to be at the front of the line. Your exam time clock doesn’t begin until you hit Start on the exam screen, so no worries if check-in takes a little longer than expected.
#6 – Pick out your test day clothes and prep your breakfast, coffee, snack, etc. a day or two ahead of your test day! The fewer decisions you have to make the morning of your exam, the better! 🙂 More on this in tomorrow’s email.
I’ll be back tomorrow, December 11th, with last-minute study tips and the night before the exam tips, so stay tuned!
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It’s Time to Prep Like you Mean IT!