A+ exam day, twice: the ID check, the same-day result and a session that fails

The second exam inherits every mistake you did not write down after the first.

The ID rule

CompTIA's Candidate ID Policy asks for two original, unexpired IDs.

• Primary: government-issued, with your name and a recent, recognisable photo.
• Secondary: at least your name and a signature, or your name and a photo.

Three details catch people. The first and last name on both IDs must match your registration exactly. IDs must normally be issued by the country where you are testing. Without a qualifying primary ID from that country, you may use a passport from your country of citizenship. Employee and student cards count as secondary only when their policy conditions are met.

Because you sit two exams, check the IDs twice. A card that expires between the first and second exam is a risk you can see months ahead.

Splitting questions between two bodies

Moving your appointment

Rescheduling and cancellation are handled in your Pearson VUE account, under the deadlines it shows for your appointment. Check the deadline on the day you book, and avoid any change close to the exam day.

Results

You see your result for each exam at the end of it. A+ is added to your certification record only once you have passed both cores in the same version. At that point your three-year cycle begins.

If your session fails

If your session fails mid-exam, follow the proctor's instructions, then contact Pearson VUE the same day with your appointment number, and a photo of the screen if you were allowed to take one. Save the appointment number in a note before the exam day. One candidate in the book contacted Pearson VUE the same day and received a new appointment at no charge. Treat that as an example, not a promise.

A routine between the two exams

After the first core, spend 30 minutes with the result and write down:

1. Which domains felt weakest, while the questions are fresh.
2. Anything about the day itself: check-in, timing, the room.
3. One change for the second core.

Then use your notes to adjust the hours in the next stage, not to start again.

Keep the details on your phone

Put the confirmation and the Pearson VUE contact page in the same note as your appointment number, so you can write to them straight after a failed session.

A week-before list

• Confirmation printed.
• Both IDs in hand, names compared with the registration.
• The reschedule deadline noted.
• The exam code checked on the confirmation: both cores must come from the same version.
• Your route or your OnVUE room checked.

Whatever the first exam teaches you about the day itself is free information for the second.