Test centre computer-based exam
Content Summary
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
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 will be led through a short demonstration of the exam platform and its navigation. If this is your first exam with us, make sure you take the time to work through this tutorial. This won't impact your overall exam time, as the timer won't start until you begin the exam.
Once you've finished all of the questions in your exam and clicked ‘End exam’, you’ll be guided through a short survey. This also won't impact 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. Though your timer won’t stop for all breaks, you will have access to one unscheduled break, during which you can pause your exam timer. When you're ready to take this break, raise your hand and advise your exam supervisor before clicking the ‘Pause exam’ button. Then you need to 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
You’ll receive an exam confirmation email from our delivery partner, Pearson VUE, after you schedule an exam, and a reminder email seven days before your exam. These emails include detailed and important information about your exam and test centre, 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 two forms of valid and current identification, including one primary ID and one secondary ID.
Your primary ID must: | Your secondary ID must: |
---|---|
be current and in date (not expired)* | be current and in date (not expired)* |
be physical and original (not digital or a photocopy) | be physical and original (not digital or a photocopy) |
contain your full name in English** | contain your full name in English** |
be government-issued (like a passport or driver's licence) | contain your signature OR a recent, recognisable photograph |
contain your signature^ | |
contain a recent, recognisable photograph |
*If your ID has expired, it will not be accepted. Updating IDs can take several weeks, so if you need to renew yours, please do so as soon as possible.
** The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your member profile with CPA Australia, and must be presented in English. If your name doesn’t match, please contact us at least 10 business days before your scheduled exam appointment to update your profile.
If your primary ID isn’t issued from the country in which you’ll be sitting your exam, we recommend you use your passport. This is because IDs not in English will not be accepted.
^Candidates testing in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore or Vietnam are an exception, as National ID cards and passports will still be accepted without a signature
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)
Examples of secondary ID:
- debit (ATM) card
- credit card
- social security card
- any form of primary ID
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 we have rules about what type of calculator you can and cannot bring in with you.
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
What you can bring:
- your two forms of ID
- your study guide and any additional notes
- your calculator
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. 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.
FAQs and resources
Your exam policies
Have questions about exams?
Visit our CPA Program Exam Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
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