Exam Day Tips: What to Do Before, During, and After Your Certification Exam

You’ve Studied Hard — Now Let’s Make Sure You Pass

Exam day for your IT certification — whether that’s the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101), Core 2 (220-1102), ISC2 CC, or ISC2 SSCP — is the moment everything you’ve worked toward comes together. But here’s the truth most study guides skip: exam day tips matter just as much as content knowledge. Walking into a Pearson VUE testing center unprepared for the experience itself — not just the material — is one of the most common reasons capable candidates underperform. Let’s break this down into three phases: before, during, and after your exam.

Before Your Exam: The 48 Hours That Set You Up to Win

Stop Cramming the Night Before

The research on this is clear: last-minute cramming increases anxiety without meaningfully improving recall. The night before your exam, do a light review — flip through flashcards, revisit your weak domains, and stop studying by 9 PM. Your brain consolidates information during sleep. A full seven to eight hours is genuinely more valuable than three extra hours of notes.

Know Your Exam’s Exact Format

Each certification exam has a specific structure, and surprises on exam day cost you time and confidence. Here’s what the exam expects you to know before you sit down:

• CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101): 90 questions maximum, 90 minutes, passing score 675/900. Covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing.
• CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102): 90 questions maximum, 90 minutes, passing score 700/900. Covers OS, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
• ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC): 100 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 700/1000. Covers security principles, network security, and incident response.
• ISC2 SSCP: 125 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 700/1000. Covers access controls, cryptography, risk identification, and more.

CompTIA exams include performance-based questions (PBQs) — simulations where you configure, troubleshoot, or identify issues in a virtual environment. These appear early in the exam and take longer to complete. Know this ahead of time so you aren’t caught off guard.

Logistics the Night Before

Don’t underestimate the logistical side of exam day. The night before, confirm your testing center address and parking situation, double-check your appointment time, and prepare two forms of valid ID. If you’re testing remotely via OnVUE, test your system compatibility using Pearson VUE’s system check tool at least 24 hours in advance. Lay out what you’re wearing. Eat breakfast that morning. These aren’t trivial — they’re stress reducers.

During Your Exam: Strategy Beats Panic Every Time

Handle Performance-Based Questions Strategically

On CompTIA exams, PBQs are typically front-loaded. Many candidates spend 20+ minutes on a single PBQ and then rush through the remaining multiple-choice questions. Here’s a smarter approach: if a PBQ is taking too long, flag it and move on. CompTIA’s exam interface allows you to mark questions for review. Answer the multiple-choice questions you’re confident about first, bank that time, and return to complex PBQs at the end. You’ll approach them with more composure.

Read Every Question Twice

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