CPHQ Exam Day

The Day Before

• Stop studying by early evening. Light review of notes is fine, but do not cram new material.
• Confirm your testing center appointment time and location.
• Map your route and plan to arrive 15-30 minutes early.
• Prepare your identification documents (government-issued photo ID).
• Get a full night of sleep - 7 to 8 hours minimum.
• Prepare comfortable clothing in layers (testing centers can be cold).

What to Bring

• Required: Valid government-issued photo ID (name must match your registration exactly)
• Required: Confirmation email or authorization to test
• Optional: Light snack and water for breaks
• Leave at home: Study materials, phones, smart watches, notes - these are not allowed in the testing room

At the Testing Center

When you arrive, you will check in with the testing center staff. They will verify your identity, have you sign in, and explain the testing center rules. You will store personal belongings in a locker. You may be provided with scratch paper or an erasable board and a marker for note-taking during the exam.

The testing center staff will escort you to your workstation and help you log in. You will have a brief tutorial on the testing interface before the exam begins. Use this time to get comfortable with the navigation.

During the Exam

• You have 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) for 125 questions.
• That is approximately 72 seconds per question.
• You can mark questions for review and return to them.
• Answer every question - there is no penalty for guessing.
• Use the first 2-3 minutes to do a brain dump of key formulas or facts on your scratch paper.

Time Management Strategy

A proven approach for the CPHQ:

1. First pass (90 minutes): Go through all 125 questions. Answer confidently known questions immediately. Mark uncertain ones and move on.
2. Second pass (45 minutes): Return to marked questions. Eliminate wrong answers and make your best selection.
3. Final review (15 minutes): Check for any unanswered questions. Review answers you are least sure about. Do not change answers unless you have a clear reason.

After the Exam

You will receive a preliminary pass/fail result at the testing center immediately after completing the exam. Official results and your CPHQ certificate (if you pass) will be sent by HQCC. The preliminary result is almost always confirmed by the official result.

If you do not pass, you will receive a score report indicating your performance by domain. Use this information to focus your study for a retake.

Tips for Success

• Eat a good breakfast with protein and complex carbohydrates.
• Avoid excessive caffeine - it can increase anxiety.
• Use the bathroom before entering the testing room.
• Read each question carefully - look for key words like "first," "best," and "most appropriate."
• Trust your preparation. If you have been consistently studying for 8-12 weeks, you are ready.
• Stay calm. If you encounter a difficult stretch of questions, take a deep breath and continue.