Overview
This article gives some suggestions to increase your effectiveness in preparing for and taking your examination.
Understanding the Content
- Read and be intimately familiar with the Prudent Practices for Investment Advisors handbook.
- Review the course transcripts, make notes and review them every day.
- Take the quizzes and assessment multiple times until you feel comfortable with the concepts.
- Review the resources section of the training for additional understanding of the material. This includes course materials, tools, and reference materials.
- Do not wait until the night before an exam to study.
- Try not to "cram" during every spare moment before an exam. This only increases the feeling of desperation which leads to panic, and then to test anxiety.
Getting Your Computer Ready
- Decide which computer/PC you will use to take the exam.
- If using a ProctorU remote proctor, make sure your computer meets technical requirements – a working webcam, microphone and good internet connection are required. We recommend using a personal computer as work machines may have additional restrictions that affect your ability to schedule and/or access the exam.
- When scheduling with ProctorU, make sure to use your full name exactly as it appears on your Fi360 account/ID. For example, if your Fi360 account is under Jonathan Smith don’t use “Jon” Smith for ProctorU.
- Complete the ProctorU system check, to make sure your computer meets the requirements.
- Set aside 2.5 hours for the exam: 30 minutes to successfully connect with ProctorU and 120 minutes to take the actual exam.
- Be familiar with the ProctorU day-of-exam experience: https://support.proctoru.com/hc/en-us/articles/9951434736525-What-to-Expect-on-Exam-Day
On Exam Day
- Make sure you have an acceptable place to take the exam
- A hard surface (i.e., a desk or table) and not a bed, couch, etc.
- The area should be quiet, comfortable, secure, and well-lit. Candidates will not be permitted to leave if the room becomes too hot, noisy, etc.
- Each candidate needs to have their own computer and not be within two feet of any other candidate.
- Clear the area of all materials except your computer, ID, and optional whiteboard or transparency sleeve. No other materials are permitted.
- Reliable internet for the entirety of the exam attempt.
- Candidates may be subjected to additional requirements like using a lockdown browser, limiting the number for computer screens or windows, etc. if requested by proctor.
- Know or have your Fi360 login and password in front of you. This is separate from your ProctorU account name/password, and you will need to know both to access the exam. Once you connect with ProctorU, any online password savers will be disabled so please ensure you write down or absolutely know your Fi360 username/password.
- Connect with ProctorU via the link they provided in your email confirmation. It may take up to 15 minutes to start your exam, which is NOT counted against your 120-minute time limit.
Good luck!