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Prepare for Your ISC2 Exam Day

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What You Need for Exam Day

Review the information below regarding what to expect when you arrive at the exam center, as well as what documents you will need and other procedures and policies applicable to your exam experience. By reviewing this page, you will avoid unwanted exam day surprises.

What You Need to Bring to the Test Center

Proper Identification
ISC2 requires two forms of identification (ID) to take your cybersecurity exam. You’ll be asked to provide a primary and a secondary ID when you check in at your test center. ISC2 also requires you to submit to a palm vein scan*. For more information on the ISC2 palm vein scan please review our Palm Vein Scan data sheet.

Accepted Primary ID (contains photograph and signature; not expired)

  • Government issued driver's license or identification card
  • U.S. Department of State driver’s license
  • U.S. learner's permit (card only with photo and signature)
  • National/state/country Identification card
  • Passport
  • Military ID
  • Military ID for spouses and dependents
  • Alien registration card (green card; permanent resident visa)
  • Government issued local language ID (plastic card with photo and signature)
  • Employee ID
  • School ID
  • Credit card*

Accepted Secondary ID (contains signature; not expired)

  • U.S. Social Security card
  • Debit/ATM card
  • Credit card*
  • Any form of ID on the primary ID list

* A credit card can be used as your primary ID only if it contains both your photo and a signature. It can’t be expired. Any credit card can be used as your secondary ID if your signature is on it and it isn’t expired. This includes major credit cards, as well as department store and gasoline credit cards.

Minors of the Age of 16 or 17
A parent of guardian must accompany the minor candidate to the test center.
The minor candidate must present one form of valid ID that includes their name and a photo.

  • The parent or guardian must present a valid, government-issued primary ID with a photo and signature.
  • The parent or guardian must provide their signature next to the minor’s signature on the Minor-Guardian Log Sheet to verify the minor candidate’s identity. For more information, see the Minor-Guardian Log Sheet.

Note: You must be 16 years old to sit for an ISC2 examination.
Note: For minor candidates, a school ID is an acceptable form of primary ID.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Your IDs must be valid (not expired).
  • They must be original documents (not photocopies or faxes).
  • Your primary ID must include your photo and signature. (The photo needs to be permanently affixed to the document.)
    • Documents lacking signatures must be legal, official forms of identification approved by local government.
  • Your secondary ID must include your signature.
    • Documents lacking signatures must be legal, official forms of identification approved by local government.

The Exam Center Process

Check-In
Plan to arrive at your test center at least 30 minutes before your exam start time. To check in, you’ll need to:

  • Show two acceptable forms of ID (as defined below)
  • Provide your signature
  • Submit to a palm vein scan (unless it is prohibited by law). If you are not comfortable with this form of identification, please contact ExamAdministration@isc2.org prior to booking your exam.
  • Have your photo taken. Masks, hats, scarves and coats may not be worn for your photo, as the full face must be clearly visible. You also can’t wear these items in the test room.
  • Leave your personal belongings outside the testing room. You’ll have access to secure storage. Storage space is small, so plan ahead. Pearson VUE test centers do not assume responsibility for your personal belongings.

The Test Administrator (TA) will give you a short orientation. Then, the TA will escort you to a computer terminal.

Name Matching Policy

The first and last name on your ID must exactly match the first and last name that you used to register with Pearson VUE. You can review and update your name up to two days (48 hours) prior to your exam appointment by logging into your account . If you are closer than 48 hours before your exam and have not been able to resolve your naming differences, we recommend rescheduling. Name changes cannot be made on your test day, including at the test center. If you cannot meet the ID requirements on your exam day, you will be considered a no-show and will forfeit your testing fee.

If you had a legal name change, you must bring proof to the test center on exam day. Your document must be an original (not a photocopy or fax). The only legal documents that Pearson VUE will accept are:

  • Marriage licenses
  • Divorce decrees
  • Court-sanctioned legal name change documents

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Once you are in your testing seat, you will have three minutes to review and accept the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). You cannot take the exam without accepting the terms of the NDA. If you do not sign the NDA, you will not be permitted to sit for the exam and your testing fee will NOT be refunded.

Exam Assistance and Breaks

You must remain in your seat during the exam, unless the staff says it’s okay for you to get up. You may not change your computer terminal unless a TA directs you to do so.

Raise your hand to notify the TA if you:

  • Believe you have a problem with your computer
  • Need to change note boards
  • Need to take a break
  • Need the administrator for any reason

Your total exam time includes any unscheduled breaks you may take. All breaks count against your testing time. You must leave the testing room during your break. However, you may not leave the building or access any personal belongings unless absolutely necessary (such as for retrieving medication).

When you take a break, you’ll be required to submit to a palm vein scan before and after your break.

Testing Environment

Pearson VUE test centers administer many types of exams. Some exams have written responses (such as essays). The test centers have no control over the sounds of people typing on keyboards next to you. Typing noise is a normal part of a computerized testing environment. It’s like the noise of turning pages in a paper-and-pencil testing environment.

Earplugs are available upon request.

Completing Your Exam

After you finish, raise your hand to summon the TA. The TA will lock your testing station and excuse you for break. Be sure to notify your TA before you leave the testing center if:

  • You believe there was an irregularity in how your test was run or
  • Irregular testing conditions had a negative effect on the outcome of your exam

Technical Issues

On rare occasions, the test center may have technical problems. You may need to reschedule your cybersecurity exam.

If technical issues cause you to wait more than 30 minutes after your scheduled exam start time, or your exam starts and then stops with a delay of more than 30 minutes, you’ll have the choice of continuing to wait or rescheduling with no additional fee:

  • If you choose not to reschedule and take the test after your delay, your test results will count. You’ll have no further recourse.
  • If you choose to wait but change your mind before starting (or restarting) your exam, you can take the exam at a later date at no extra cost.
  • If you choose to reschedule or the technical problem can’t be fixed, you’ll be allowed to test at a later date at no extra charge.

We know your time is valuable. If your test center identifies technical problems before your exam, they’ll make every attempt to contact you.

Late Arrivals or No Shows

Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your exam start time.

If you arrive within 15 minutes of your start time, you’ll be considered late. This means you may forfeit your assigned seat. It’s up to the test center to decide whether to allow you to take the exam without affecting others’ start times.

Pearson VUE will make all attempts to accommodate you if you’re late. But if they can’t, you’ll be turned away.

If you’re turned away because you’re late or you didn’t show up, your exam result will appear in the system as a no-show. You’ll also forfeit your exam fee.

What You Shouldn’t Bring Into the Test Center

Weapons
Weapons are not allowed at the test center. If you bring a weapon (or something your Test Administrator considers to be a weapon), you’ll be asked to store it.

There is one exception. If you are law enforcement or security personnel on site performing an official duty, you may carry a weapon. This exemption does not apply to law enforcement or security personnel who are scheduled to take exams.