Test Day Instructions

On Test Day

  • Eat before taking the exam.
  • For laptop users, ensure that your computer is fully charged or connected to a power source during the test. You may also have your chargers ready near you. In case your laptop battery got drained in the middle of the test, inform your proctor before plugging in your chargers.
  1. If using type C chargers. Do NOT plug this without informing your proctor. You need to EXIT the test website before inserting the charger. To exit from the test window, click the power icon found on the lower right corner (for Windows OS users) or the exit/close icon found on the upper right corner (Mac users) of your computer screen. After exiting, plug in your charger then go back to the test by clicking the same test link e-mailed to you. Wait for around 7 to 8 minutes before you can continue with the test. Inform/chat with your proctor when you get back.
  2. If using regular or non-type C chargers. You may charge your laptop without exiting from the test, but make sure not to plug anything other than the charger. Otherwise, your test window will automatically close.
  • You must have a clear desk or workspace. Remove all prohibited or unauthorized materials.
  • Close all programs on your computer except from the online test window.
  • Power off your cell phone, and keep it away—far from your reach and test table/area.
  • It is highly recommended to take a bathroom break before you start the test. Notify your proctor via the chat window if you need to take bathroom break during the test.
  • Enter the testing website at the earliest access time indicated in the email with the test link.
  • Have with you your physical IDs (e.g., school ID or government-issued ID).
  • Go through the registration process before taking the actual test. The process will involve taking a snapshot of your face and valid ID through your webcam. When you are asked to submit your face snapshot, remove any object that would partially or fully obscure your face and ears, i.e., face mask, face shield, face veil, and scarf.
  • Read thoroughly all test instructions and candidate rules sent by your proctor through the chat window, or the information in the Important Reminders page on Section 1.
  • Start the test once you are allowed to do so.
  • Take your time and read the important reminders carefully.
  • Read each test item or question carefully but be mindful of your test time.
  • Chat with or message your proctor if you have questions on the mode of answering the test or technical difficulties. If you are unable to send a chat to your proctor due to technical issues, you may contact our technical team.
  • Your webcam and microphone must remain on throughout the test. Proctor must be able to hear, see, and chat with you for the duration of the test.
  • For laptop users, place your computer on top of a table/desk. You must be seated properly.
  • Your proctor will ask you to speak on the microphone (built-in or external) to verify that it is working properly. Be ready for a backup earphones/headphones/headset in case you will experience audio issues. If unresolved, you will be endorsed to the technical team for assistance.
  • When instructed, show your authorized or allowed materials for scratch work to your proctor as shown in the sample image below.

In case of Test Expiry / Power Interruption

In case the test window closes in the middle of the test or at the time of submission for any reason, the system waits for 20 minutes before expiring the test.

This allows you to go back to the test from exactly where it stopped within those 20 minutes. Contact the CEM Help Desk if you experience disconnection beyond 20 minutes, such as in cases of power outage or problems on your computer that would take long to resolve.

Reminders:

1. Inform your proctor if you need to ask for another person's help when experiencing a technical issue.

2. Contact the CEM Help Desk immediately if you cannot communicate/chat with your proctor such as in cases of blank or frozen screen. Put away your mobile phone after the call.

What to Wear

Keep in mind that your test session is being monitored live by a human proctor. Please wear a decent attire during the test. Preferably, wear your school uniform; t-shirt and pants or decent-length shorts are acceptable.

Note: If you need to wear long-sleeved tops i.e., sweatshirt or hoodie, roll up your sleeves to your elbow.

What to Expect

CEM respects the candidates’ privacy and has implemented procedures to ensure that the CEM Online Test process is completed in a safe, secure manner. CEM reserves the right to ensure the security of test content by enabling us to observe you and your computer screen while taking the test.

It is highly recommended that you take the test in a room free of distractions and anything that might affect your test performance.

Test-related information written on clothing, shoes, tables and chairs, room walls, ID documents or on any part of the body or room is prohibited and warrants termination–you should be prepared to undergo security measures to ensure a fair testing environment. Failure to comply may result in termination from the test and forfeiture of your test fees.

Food, beverages, tobacco, and vaping devices are not allowed while you are taking the exam. In case you need to grab a drink, or take a snack or medication for health reasons, please inform your proctor.

Environment Checking 

At any moment during the actual test, you will be required to show your room and test table. You will receive the notification through chat, so it is important to read carefully and silently the instructions. Your testing environment should be as quiet and distraction-free as possible. To get a 360-degree view of your test environment, lift your webcam or laptop and slowly turn it around. It is important that you show your table or desktop area as well as your room. In some cases, you may be required to show the space behind your laptop/desktop, walls, sides and beneath your table, and/or the ceiling.

If you are using a desktop computer with a built-in webcam, it might be difficult to lift and rotate the entire computer. Inform the checker and wait for additional instructions.

Do NOT move the camera too fast, and wait for the instructions of the checker before going back to your seat. Once you are finished, return your webcam or laptop as close to its original position.

Note: When you are completing a test environment check, your test time will be paused. Time consumed during the check will NOT be deducted from your test-taking time.

Prohibited Activities

1. Attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for you at any stage of the examination.

 2. Coaching of answers or attempting to receive assistance from another person or assistive devices—communication in any form is not permitted during the online session.

 3. Reading aloud the test items or your computations.

 4. Editing, copying, or attempting to edit/copy/duplicate any test content from the testing website.

 5. Reproducing or disclosing the test content or any part of the test content by any means (e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically) to any person or entity.

 6. Causing change or damage to the online testing website (i.e., tamper or hack).

 7. Navigating away from the test website at any time during the test (i.e., opening another browser).

8. Leaving the testing area or room during the test.

9. Making gestures (e.g., doing hand signals, pointing to your computer screen or monitor).

10. Harassing or threatening the proctor in any form or manner.

11. Covering/blocking your webcam and/or turning off your microphone at any time during the test.

12. Inserting unauthorized external devices (e.g., USB).

13. Using unauthorized items (e.g., textbooks, study aids or tools, gadgets, mobile phone) even during test break.

14. Frequently glancing or looking away from the computer screen.

15. Having or using paper, pen/pencil or any permanent markers, and unauthorized materials for scratch work.

Reminders:

  1. The above activities warrant termination from the test. Your test environment (e.g., room or area), and your computer screen are being monitored live by both AI and human proctor at all times during the test session.
  2. Always ask permission from your proctor before attending to your personal needs (e.g., restroom break).

Prohibited Materials

Using or having any of the following materials in the testing room (i.e., on your table or in any area within arm’s reach) is prohibited at any time during the actual test. Keep your table or test space free from any prohibited materials before you start and during the test session.

  • phones (all kinds)
  • tablets and e-readers
  • all wearable technology
  • all watches
  • any other electronic, recording, listening, scanning, printing or photographic devices
  • pagers or beepers
  • digital storage and USB-tethering devices

 

  • pencils (of any kind), pen/pencil erasers, permanent markers and pens, compasses, rulers, protractors
  • mirrors (of any kind)
  • physical calculators
  • books, pamphlets, notes, dictionaries, translators
  • unauthorized materials for scratch work
  • scan pens or scanning devices
  • electronic or battery-operated magic slate

Note: The proctor can terminate your test when found with a prohibited item even if not in use.

Further, CEM reserves the right to take all actions—including, but not limited to, banning you from future testing and/or withholding or canceling your scores—for failure to comply with test administration regulations or directions. If your scores are canceled, they will not be reported and your registration and test fees will not be refunded.

Absence on Test Day and Noncompletion of the Test 

If you are absent on the day of the exam, your name will NOT be included in the Masterlist of Test Results (MTR). Failure to take or complete the test on the scheduled test date under any circumstances totally forfeits your NMAT Registration and Test Fees.