AIGP Exam Day: What to Expect at Pearson VUE or Online

Exam-day problems are some of the most avoidable reasons for a bad AIGP result. A name mismatch on your ID, a failed system check for online proctoring, or not knowing that the first half locks can cost you an attempt or valuable minutes. Here's what to expect, from scheduling to the result screen.

AIGP exam day at a glance

Before exam day: scheduling and checks

• Schedule through MyIAPP. After you buy the exam, you schedule it via your MyIAPP account, which links to Pearson VUE. You have one year from purchase to sit it.
• Match your name exactly. The name on your Pearson VUE profile must match your ID. Fix any mismatch, such as a missing middle name or a different spelling, well before the day.
• Read your confirmation email. It sets out the ID rules and reschedule deadlines that apply to your appointment. Rules can differ by country and delivery method.
• Online candidates: run the system test. Run Pearson VUE's OnVUE system test on the computer and network you'll use, ideally a few days before and again on the day. Work laptops with security restrictions often fail.
• Know the reschedule window. Missing your appointment or arriving too late can forfeit your attempt. Reschedule early if your readiness changes.

At a Pearson VUE test centre

1. Arrive about 30 minutes early. Late arrivals may be refused.
2. Show your ID. Staff will usually take your photo and may record a signature or palm vein scan, depending on the centre.
3. Store everything in a locker, including your phone, watch, bag, notes, food and drinks.
4. You'll receive any permitted materials, such as a whiteboard or noteboard, and be seated at your workstation.
5. Read the on-screen non-disclosure agreement and tutorial before the clock starts.

Taking the AIGP online with OnVUE

1. Check in up to 30 minutes before your appointment, using the link in your Pearson VUE account.
2. Photograph your ID, your face and your testing room (usually four sides) with your phone, then put the phone out of reach.
3. Clear your desk. Only one monitor is allowed. Close every application except the exam software.
4. A greeter checks your photos and a proctor launches the exam. You'll be monitored by webcam and microphone throughout.
5. Stay in view of the camera. Don't read questions aloud or look away from the screen for long, because proctors can pause or end exams for suspected rule breaches.

The break and the first-half lock

The AIGP is split into two halves with a 15-minute break between them. The break doesn't come out of your 2 hours 45 minutes of testing time, but there's a catch: when you submit the first half, those answers are final. This applies whether or not you take the break.

What to do:

• Use the flag feature as you go, and review every flagged item before you submit the first half.
• Budget about 80 minutes for each half. This leaves time for review in both.
• Take the break even if you feel fine. A few minutes away from the screen helps with the scenario-heavy second half.

Pacing strategy for 100 questions

If one question is taking more than three minutes, choose your best answer, flag it and move on. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank.

After the exam: results and next steps

• Provisional result. You'll see pass or fail on screen once you finish.
• Score report. This shows your scaled score (300 is the pass mark on a 100–500 scale) and your performance by domain. See how AIGP scoring works.
• If you passed: your certification is activated once your certification maintenance fee is covered. It's included in IAPP membership and, for non-members, in the AIGP exam fee for the first term. Then plan your 20 CPE credits for the two-year term. See the AIGP renewal guide.
• If you didn't pass: use your domain breakdown to plan a retake. See what to do after a failed attempt.

If something goes wrong on the day

Report any problem to Pearson VUE and the IAPP promptly after the exam, with dates and details.

Managing nerves and focus over three hours

• Use the first two minutes to settle: read the instructions, breathe, and remind yourself of your pacing plan.
• Don't fight a hard question. Flag it, pick your best guess, and move on. You can return before submitting that half.
• Use the break. Stand up, drink water, and don't replay first-half questions in your head.
• Expect some unfamiliar questions. About 15 are unscored pretest items, and you can't tell which.

Exam-day checklist

• ID with a name that exactly matches your Pearson VUE profile
• Appointment time and time zone confirmed (online appointments use your local time setting)
• Online: system test passed, room cleared, phone ready for check-in photos and then stored
• Test centre: travel time plus 30 minutes, nothing you need from your locker
• Pacing targets for each half written into your plan
• A light review only on the morning of the exam, with no new material

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. IAPP Store: AIGP Exam (100 questions, 2.75 hours, 15-minute break, delivery options)
2. IAPP Certification FAQs (scheduling, OnVUE, results)
3. IAPP: Certification process
4. Pearson VUE (test-taker information)

Last reviewed: October 2026. Check-in procedures vary by test centre and country; follow the instructions in your Pearson VUE confirmation.