Disclosure
All CSMLS certification Exams are computer-based.
All Exam sessions, whether in-person or remote, are video and audio recorded for security purposes for the duration of the Exam.
- Candidates at in-person test centers are recorded from the moment they enter the test center until they leave
- Candidates writing their exam remotely are recorded from the moment they log onto the testing platform to the time the Exam is exited
Candidates will have their personal data collected which may include photo ID and personal video imaging. This includes the exam room in a candidate’s home or office when remote proctoring is used.
Preparing for a Physical Test Center Appointment
What to bring to the Testing Centre
You must bring government issued photo identification e.g. driver’s license, passport. You will NOT be admitted to the exam without presenting government issued ID.
What Time to Arrive at the Testing Centre
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in procedures.
Preparing for a Remote Testing Appointment
Prepare Your Environment
You must
- remove all personal items from the testing area except
- a surface to place your computer with a camera and microphone,
- a chair,
- the computer itself and
- your government issued photo identification e.g. driver’s license, passport.
What Time to Plan to Launch Your Exam
Be prepared to launch your remote exam 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow time for check-in procedures.
For more information see the Prometric ProProctor User Guide found on our Prometric webpage.
Exam Format on the Computer-Based Platform
The exam is broken down into 4 sections:
- Section 1 is the Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Section 2 is the Introduction, with instructions on how to use the platform
- Section 3 is the actual exam,
- while in this section, the candidate is able to toggle back and forth through all the exam questions and change answers;
- once this section is submitted answers cannot be changed;
General MLT only:
- Section 4 is a survey on the exam experience.
Late Arrival or Missed Appointment
Candidates who arrive late, less than thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled exam start time, will NOT be given extra time to finish the exam.
Those who arrive more than thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled exam start time or who miss their scheduled appointment, for any reason, will be considered a “no-show”; they will forfeit their entire exam fee and lose one (1) exam attempt, which will be considered a failed exam attempt.
No-show candidates must reapply with the CSMLS office for a future exam attempt.
Candidates cannot reschedule a missed appointment for another exam date with Prometric.
Considerations for partial refunds are made for severe illness or extraordinary circumstances. Proof must be submitted to the CSMLS Office within seven (7) calendar days of exam date.
Illness or Other Extraordinary Circumstances before or on Examination Day
On the examination day, if candidates cannot reach the Testing Centre because of circumstances beyond their control or they are ill, they must contact the CSMLS office, immediately, BEFORE the exam begins, if possible. The CSMLS office can be contacted at exam@csmls.org.
Exam candidates who are ill or have extraordinary circumstances (including bereavement but excluding routine pregnancy) before the examination day must contact the Certification office as soon as possible, BEFORE the exam at exam@csmls.org. The CSMLS will require official supporting documentation within seven (7) calendar days after notification. Supporting documentation may include doctor’s notes, the CSMLS medical form, death certificates and/or other documents, as applicable.
Official supporting documentation must not be more than one (1) months old for psychiatric and recent physical disabilities or more than one (1) week old for sickness.
Medical documentation must be current and include a formal diagnosis of the specific illness/disability made by a qualified physician/psychologist.
If candidates provide notification to us by this deadline, we will review their situation and consider refunding a portion of your examination fee and/or the reinstatement of that exam attempt. Refunds of the exam fee and reinstatements of exam attempts will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Unforeseen Circumstances
If an exam is disrupted through circumstances beyond the control of the exam testing centre, such as power failure or extreme weather, the exam Testing Centre will contact the CSMLS about adjusting the timing of the exam.
Exam Conduct & Cheating
Exam Conduct
Candidate behaviour before, during and after the Exam cannot disturb other candidates or cause them anxiety.
Candidates are not to make disruptive comments during the Exam, unnecessarily question Exam items, policies and procedures, or engage in other behaviour that could disturb other candidates at the Exam session.
Poor or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the Exam session. If a candidate is removed from the Exam, they will lose that Exam attempt and their Exam registration fees.
Cheating
Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the Exam. If a candidate is removed from the Exam, they will lose that Exam attempt and their Exam registration fees.
It is assumed that candidates are writing the Exam in good faith or in an honest attempt to pass the Exam. Any actions or behaviours violating this assumption will be considered “cheating”.
This includes anything that could affect any current or future candidate results. It also includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:
- Non-eligible and non-registered individuals posing as registered and eligible Exam candidates;
- Bringing study materials into the testing room, or any other material that has not been expressly permitted;
- Giving or receiving help during the Exam;
- Engaging in any conduct during the Exam that disturbs or is disrespectful towards other candidates or Exam proctors or Testing Centre staff;
- Removing or trying to remove Exam materials from the Exam site;
- Modification of documents in order to give the false impression of having passed the Exam;
- Any activity that would be considered illegal, such as assault, harassment, or theft.
For more information including actions that may be taken when cheating is suspected, please see the Exam Conduct section of the Exam Handbook.
Exam Writing Tips
Stay Calm
Take the time to read through the exam instructions carefully. Many candidates do not take this important step and then discover that they did the exam incorrectly.
Take the time to go through the tutorial at the beginning of the Exam which will help you to understand all the features available to you. You may want to schedule a Test Drive in advance to make you feel more prepared for the Exam process.
Budget Your Time
Note the number of questions. Quickly reading over the questions will assist in activating your memory. Decide which questions will be easier to do and which ones will take more time, and budget your time. Allot time to review the exam and make corrections. If you think of something as you preview, write it down immediately.
The Exam platform includes both a timer and progress bar to help you budget your time. Exam candidates have approximately one minute per question.
Plan Your Attack
Read each question carefully and cover the answers, underlining key words if it helps. Mentally choose your answer (you can write it down if it helps), and scroll down the answers and see if yours is there. If your answer is not there, skip that question and go back to it after you answer all the ones you know for sure.
Answer Everything
Guess! There are no penalties for guessing.
If you do not see an obvious first choice, then do all of the following things:
- Underline key words and make sure that you know what they mean.
- Ignore answers that are obviously wrong.
- Select the best answer. Flag the questions you are not sure of and return to these questions at the end of the exam.
- Do not leave any question unanswered.
Go with your gut instinct!
Drawing a Blank
First, don’t panic and allow anxiety to take control of how you are going to do on the exam. Ask yourself, “What do I need to know to answer this question?” and start writing down your thoughts. Avoid negative self-talk – focus on the task instead of yourself.
Review & Correct
Take the time to go over the exam and check your answers. Do not change anything unless you are 100% sure it is wrong. Check mathematical answers by performing reverse calculations. Look at the processes you used.
Research indicates that first impressions are usually right. About three out of four changes are from a correct answer to a wrong one.