Examination Delivery, Policies & Procedures

What to expect on examination day

Testing Center Exam

Please arrive at the testing center 15 minutes early. You will be required to provide two (2) forms of identification: one must be a valid government issued photo ID and another can be a credit card, bank debit card, employee identification card, etc.

NOTE: In the United States a social security card is NOT an acceptable form of identification.

  • Please note: Cell phones and similar electronic devices, flash drives, CDs, or other digital memory devices are prohibited. Personal items are not permitted in the testing room.  These items include but are not limited to bags, purses, keys, wallets, hats, briefcases, books, cell phones, portable electronic devices, watches, and any weapons or firearms. You will be asked to place any personal items in a cabinet, locker, or compartment prior to entering the testing areas. Kryterion, Inc, AACE International, and KTN testing centers are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Test center administrators will inspect any objects brought into the testing center including but not limited to calculators, open book resources (if allowed), eye wear, or watches, and will require pocket turnouts.
  • Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted at the testing site.
  • Copying or communicating examination content is a violation of security policies. Either one may result in the disqualification or examination results and may lead to legal action.
  • Test center administrators will monitor the examination room throughout the testing session. Suspicious behavior including but not limited to putting hands in pockets, fidgeting with clothing, looking down at lap, hands, or sleeves, looking around the room or at the cameras in the test center, excessive note taking, and having unauthorized items at the testing station, will be called out for correction, and reported to AACE.
  • Authorization Code: When you schedule your exam, you will receive a confirmation email that includes the Test Taker Authorization Code. You will need to print this email and bring it with you to the exam, so the proctor can launch your exam.
  • Breaks: There are no scheduled breaks during your exam, although you are permitted short bio breaks. If you need a bio break, keep in mind the timer for your exam will continue to advance. You will not have access to your possessions or locker.

You will receive instructions from the test center administrator and provided paper and pencil, if needed. Once you have been seated and the proctor has loaded your examination, you are ready to launch the exam.

Online Proctored (OLP) Exam

AACE allows you to take your exam in the comfort and safety of your own home or office. Before scheduling your OLP exam, make sure that your computer meets the system requirements. To preview the system requirements, you can download a copy of the Kryterion Test Taker Guide and click the Kryterion System Check page to confirm you can meet the system criteria. It is recommended you use a non-work-related or personal computer for online proctored (OLP) exams.

To ensure a smooth exam launch, install Kryterion’s Respondus secure testing environment and complete your biometric profile (facial recognition) well in advance of your scheduled exam time. You will find the links to these in your Webassessor profile once you schedule your OLP exam.

Respondus
Screen shot of links to install Sentinel and the biometric enrollment in Webassessor

Kryterion’s standard camera requirement is for an external camera “unless otherwise stated by the test sponsor”. AACE does allow the use of internal, built-in cameras.

  • Launch Exam Button: The “Launch Exam” button will appear in Webassessor next to your scheduled exam about 10 minutes before your exam start time and will stay until about 15 minutes after your exam start time. Because the Launch Exam button only remains on your profile for a limited amount of time, you must be punctual with your exam start time.

Launch
Screen shot of the launch button in Webassessor

  • Breaks: There are no scheduled breaks during your exam, although you are permitted short bio breaks. If you need a bio break, keep in mind the timer for your exam will continue to advance. You must notify your proctor when you need a bio break through the chat feature built into the exam and wait for the proctor to acknowledge your request. You may not access any personal belongings at this time.

  • What you may have with you during your exam: You may use an internal, built-in camera. You may have any stand-alone, battery-operated calculator as well as loose blank “scratch” paper and a pen/pencil. You may also have water or clear liquid in a clear container (e.g., glass or bottle).

    If you are taking an open-book exam (CCT, CFCC, CST ONLY), you may take the approved books with you to the exam. If you have a digital copy, it must be printed and bound (a three-ring binder is acceptable). You may have highlighted, marked, written, or tabbed areas in your approved materials. No iPads, Kindles, smartphones, etc. will be permitted for resource materials.

  • What you may NOT have with you during your exam: You may NOT use dual monitors during your exam. You may NOT have any food, drink (except clear liquid in a clear container), or personal items (e.g., wallets, purses, keys, hats, cell phones, watches, bracelets, necklaces, lanyards, etc.) with you or on you or your desk during your exam. You will not be allowed any bulky clothing (heavy coats, hoodies, etc.). No other people are permitted in the exam area.
  • Copying or communicating examination content is a violation of security policies. Either one may result in the disqualification or examination results and may lead to legal action.
  • Inspection: The proctor will request that you scan the room and your work surface (desk, table, etc.) as well as show any items you have on your desk, including your calculator, study materials (if permitted), loose scratch paper, pen/pencil, and your clear liquid.

  • During your exam: Once you have checked in and are settled at your computer, you will have an opportunity to read the instructions and launch your exam. Exam proctors will monitor your exam and your surroundings throughout your test. Suspicious behavior (i.e., putting your hands in your pockets, fidgeting with clothing, looking down at your lap, hands, or sleeves, looking around the room, excessive notetaking, having unauthorized items at your desk, etc.) will be cause for your exam to be suspended. In addition, reading the exam aloud or talking is not permitted during the exam.

If you have any issues during your exam, the quickest way to get a response is by utilizing Kryterion’s Live Chat or the Kryterion Support Page.



Cancellations, No Shows & Rescheduling Policies

In accordance with our computer-based testing (CBT) provider service agreement, the following policies shall be enforced:

Reschedule and Cancellation - You may reschedule or cancel an examination appointment without forfeiting the fee if the cancellation notice is received exactly 72 hours before the scheduled examination date.

Missed Appointment (No-Show) - By not showing up to your appointment on time, you automatically forfeit your examination scheduling fee, and the missed appointment will count as one of your exam attempts. You are considered a no-show if you do not cancel your appointment, arrive at the test center after your examination start time, or do not present the proper identification when you arrive at the test site.

Refunds - AACE enforces a strict no-refund policy. However, a refund may be granted in cases of an AACE computer system error or human error made by AACE staff. Otherwise, no refunds are given once a transaction has been completed. No exceptions.

View Refund Policy


Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Disruption Policy

AACE and our testing facility partner, Kryterion are committed to providing a comfortable and stable environment for our test takers. Candidates can expect a secure test environment and high standards when taking an AACE exam. Some situations are outside the control of either AACE or Kryterion, so we've developed a policy to provide guidance on how to deal with technical issues should they occur while taking an AACE CBT exam.

View Policy


Online Proctored Exam Suspension Policy

The AACE Certification Institute Online Proctored Exam Suspension Policy outlines the circumstances under which an exam may be suspended to maintain the integrity and security of the testing process.


View Policy

Examination Results

It is the policy of the Certification Board, in accordance with our accreditation authority, to release results on a Pass or Fail basis only; therefore, no individual scores will be given. No exceptions.

Due to the complexity of some of our examinations, results may not be given immediately. The following lists will identify which exams provide immediate results and which exams provide delayed results.

Immediate Results

  • CCT and CST

 Delayed Results

  • CCP, CEP, CFCC, DRMP, EVP, PRMP, and PSP

 Expected Results Calendar

Grading begins on the 15th of each month unless it falls on a weekend or U.S. holiday, then it begins on the closest business day.

To be included in the grading cycle, you must complete your exam the day before the grading cycle (e.g., exam completed on the 14th for the 15th grading cycle).

The results dates are estimated and may vary due to weekends or holidays.

 

View Exam Grading Cycle

 

Post Exam Survey

All candidates will receive a brief electronic survey within 5 days after an examination in order to rate their examination experiences. Responses to the survey will in no way impact exam results. Responses to the survey, however, will be shared with the Certification Department and the AACE Certification Board in order to improve the certification process for future candidates.







To remain strong and responsive to the needs of certified members and other cost professionals, the public, and AACE International Certification Institute, our certification programs solicit input from all interested individuals and organizations as to the policies and procedures used in administering the Association’s certification programs. Please address any comments you may have regarding the administration of certification programs to the Certification Board via e-mail to certification@aacei.org or via U.S. mail at Certification Board, AACE International, 726 East Park Avenue #180, Fairmont, WV 26554 USA

Certification

If you have a certification dispute or something to report, please give us an opportunity to make it right.

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