Test centre paper-based exam
Content Summary
In this format, you’ll need to travel to a test centre, where the environment is 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.
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 ID
- 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, and.
- 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
Please note – ID requirements have changed for Semester 2 2024. Please review the below carefully.
When sitting a test centre exam, you must provide a single (1) form of valid and current primary identification that meets the following criteria.
| Your primary ID must: | Description: |
|---|---|
| be current and in date (not expired) |
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 early as possible. If your name doesn’t match, please contact us at least 10 business days before your scheduled exam to update your profile. |
| be physical and original |
Your ID cannot be a digital version, a photocopy or a printout. Candidates in India should be aware of specific requirements in relation to acceptance of the Aadhaar ID for CPA Exams in line with Pearson Vue requirements. |
| contain your full name in English |
The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your CPA Australia member profile, and must be presented in English. Ensure that your First Name, Middle Name, and Surname fields in your profile are filled out correctly and match the order and spelling on your government-issued ID. Please avoid combining your first and middle names in the First Name field—each name should be entered in the correct field as it appears on your ID. Local language ID will be accepted if the ID is issued in the country where you are testing, and where test centre staff can verify the name in the local language translates to the name reflected on your CPA Australia record. |
| be government-issued (like a passport or driver's licence) |
If your primary ID isn’t issued from the country where you’ll be sitting your exam, we recommend you use your passport. |
| contain a recent, recognisable photograph |
Your photo must be sharp, in focus, and not blurry or faded, of good quality for easy recognition. |
| contain your signature |
This applies to all regions, except if you have a government-issued ID (for example, a national ID card) from the same country that you’re sitting your exam. In this circumstance, an ID will be accepted without a signature if all other requirements are met. |
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 name on your ID exactly matches the name on your CPA Australia member profile, including the correct order of your first name, middle name, and surname. For example:
CPA Australia profile: Jane Citizen Smith
ID Name: Jane Citizen Smith
Important Tips:
- Do not combine your first and middle names. For instance, write "Jane Citizen Smith" instead of "Jane-Citizen Smith."
- Do not leave any name fields blank. Ensure all parts of your name are included as they appear on your CPA profile.
- Verify the order of your names to match exactly how they are listed in your CPA membership.
Ensuring your ID accurately reflects your CPA Australia membership profile will help prevent any issues during your exam registration and entry process.
What you can and can't bring to your exam
What you can bring
Candidates sitting paper-based exams are required to bring pencils and pens for completing the exam. Replacements are not supplied.
You are ONLY permitted to bring the following items into a paper-based exam:
- Your one form of government-issued ID (see above ID requirements)
- Study guide and any additional study materials, including dictionary
- A single, silent non-programmable electronic calculator.
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.
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 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
Storage facilities vary between exam venues, so please do not bring unnecessary valuables with you. You must follow instructions given to you by the exam supervisor regarding storage and use of your personal items.
The following belongings are not permitted into your exam:
- 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
- any spare pieces of paper.
Your exam supervisor will use their discretion to decide whether an item is acceptable or requires further inspection to enter the exam room. You may be asked to remove jewelry or other items before being admitted into the exam.
Please note that your pockets and glasses may be checked.
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.
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.
Your exam policies
Have questions about exams?
Visit our CPA Program Exam Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.