Test centre computer-based exam

In this format, you’ll need to travel to a test centre, where the technology and environment are prepared in advance, and you’ll be supervised in-person throughout your exam.

Please note, our exam provider, Pearson VUE, isn't able to offer CPA Program test-centre exams in Quebec and any OFAC-sanctioned regions.

On this page

• About test-centre exams
• Health and safety
• ID requirements
• What you can and can't bring to your exam
• Preparing for your exam
• FAQs and resources

About test-centre exams

All CPA Program exams are:

• 195 minutes long (3 hours and 15 minutes)
• Open book (excluding Singapore Taxation). This means you can bring your study guide and any additional study materials with you to your exam appointment.

Singapore Taxation is a closed book exam, though you can bring approved Tax Acts, as explained under the recommended texts section of your study guide.

At the start of your exam, you’ll be guided through a brief demonstration of the exam platform and its navigation. If this is your first exam with us, be sure to take the time to go through this tutorial. This won't impact your overall exam time, as the timer won't start until you begin the exam.

After you’ve completed all the questions in your exam and clicked ‘End exam’, you’ll be guided through a short survey. This survey won’t affect your exam time.

Taking breaks

As test-centre exams are supervised in-person, you can take bathroom breaks as you need by raising your hand and speaking to your invigilator. While the timer won’t stop for all breaks, you’re allowed one unscheduled break where you can pause the exam timer. When you're ready to take this break, raise your hand and inform your exam supervisor before clicking the ‘Pause exam’ button. Then, click the ‘Pause exam’ button in the pop-up window to confirm. Your exam timer will stop for five minutes.

Details about your test centre

After scheduling your exam, you’ll receive a confirmation email from our delivery partner, Pearson VUE, followed by a reminder email seven days before your exam. These emails include detailed and important information about your exam and test entre, including:

• Your contact details, which should match your IDs
• Your appointment details
• The location of your exam
• Any entry requirements for your test-centre
• A list of what you can and can’t have with you during your exam
• Key policies that apply to your exam
  

It’s important that you read your exam confirmation and reminder emails in detail before the day of your exam.

ID requirements

When sitting a test centre exam, you must provide a single (1) form of valid and current primary identification that meets the following criteria.

 

Examples of primary ID:

• driver’s licence
• learner permit
• national / state / country identification card
• passport
• passport card
• military ID
• military ID for spouses and dependents
• alien registration card (green card, permanent resident visas)

Checking your ID:

You must ensure that the first name and last name on your ID exactly match the name on your CPA Australia member profile, including the correct order of your first name and last name.
For example, if your legal name as reflected on your ID is:

Your CPA Australia member profile should reflect:

Ensuring your first name and last name on your government-issued ID accurately match your CPA Australia member profile will help prevent any issues during your exam registration and entry process. This includes multiple first or last names if they are reflected on your ID. 

Your middle name/s do NOT need to added to your CPA Australia member profile to sit your exam. 

 

What you can and can't bring to your exam

Study guide and notes

As all CPA Program exams, except Singapore Taxation, are open book, you can bring your study guide and any additional study materials with you to your exam appointment.

Singapore Taxation is a closed book exam, except for approved Tax Acts, as explained under the recommended texts section of your study guide.

Calculators

You can bring your own calculator to your test-centre exam. However, please be aware that there are specific rules about which type of calculators are allowed and which are not.

Your calculator can be:

• scientific
• standard
• financial
• able to store and recall the last performed calculation only.

Your calculator can't be:

• programmable – it must not be able to store and replay a sequence of operations or capable of external programming
• capable of text storage
• equipped with an alphanumeric keyboard (all letters from A to Z)
• a graphing calculator
• wired or include wireless communication capabilities
• equipped with a camera or video recording functionality
• powered by anything other than internal batteries and/or solar power
• able to produce a sound which cannot be turned off.

An online calculator will also be available if you don't have access to a suitable one.

Note taking

Before entering your exam room, you'll be given an erasable whiteboard for any notetaking during your exam. To make sure exam questions and answers are not recorded or shared, this whiteboard will be collected and cleaned after you've finished the exam.

You'll also have access to an online scratch pad for quick calculations during the exam.

Personal items

There will likely be other candidates at your test centre, sitting different exams at different times. This means you may notice movement in and out of your exam room. If you’re sensitive to noise, we recommend bringing earplugs with you.

Your earplugs must be:

• made of foam or silicone
• disposable, and
• sealed in an unopened package. 

Personal headphones or electronic earplugs (not including hearing aids) are not allowed. As with all of your permitted items, they may be inspected by your supervisor. If your test centre offers earplugs, you may be asked to use the ones provided, and store your own outside your exam room.

What you can't bring:

• any electronic devices, aside from your calculator
• a watch of any kind
• large, external clothing, such as a coat, scarf or hat, unless worn for religious purposes
• any food or drink.

For a full list of what you can and can't bring with you, please review your confirmation email from Pearson VUE prior to your appointment.

Each time you enter the exam room, the supervisor will check for any hidden prohibited items to ensure the security of the exam. They may ask you to:

• Show your ears
• Roll up your sleeves
• Turn out any pockets
• Run your own hands around your waist and down your legs
• Take off your glasses for inspection by the supervisor

It's at the supervisor's discretion to decide if an item is acceptable to take into your exam room, and you'll be able to store any prohibited items at your test centre before your exam begins.