EXAM 45-857 · AUG 26 – OCT 7, 2026
NYS Court Officer Exam Day Checklist
Everything you need to have handled before you walk into the testing center — what to leave at home, what's provided, and simple steps for the night before and the morning of. Verified against the official announcement and FAQ.
NYS Court Officer-Trainee exam 45-857. Verified against the official announcement and FAQ. dutyrank.com
1Leave these at home or in the car
These are not allowed in the testing area. Storing them off-site is simpler than sorting it out at check-in.
- ☐Phones and any electronic device
- ☐Watches of any kind — including smart watches and fitness bands
- ☐Notes, notebooks, scrap paper, and any study material
- ☐Pens, pencils, and erasers (test supplies are provided)
- ☐Calculators and any outside materials
- ☐Food, drink, and gum
- ☐Bags, backpacks, and purses
- ☐Outerwear, hats, and sunglasses
2What's provided at the site
You don't need to bring exam supplies.
- ☐All test supplies you need are provided at the test center.
- ☐The exam is computer-based, so there is no answer sheet to bring or fill in by hand.
- ☐You will have 3 hours 15 minutes total for the exam.
3Scheduling and where to go
- ☐Self-schedule your date and center once your self-scheduling link arrives (emailed starting August 3, 2026). Seats are first-come, first-served.
- ☐You must schedule at least 24 hours in advance — you cannot walk in.
- ☐The testing window runs Wednesday, August 26 through Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- ☐UCS employees who work weekdays test on the weekend of August 29–30, 2026.
- ☐Block out four hours or more, not three. The exam is 3 hours 15 minutes, but the appointment on your Talogy confirmation includes check-in and administrative time — the FAQ's words are "four or more hours".
- ☐You can reschedule for any reason up to 24 hours before your appointment, if a seat is open. Inside 24 hours, only a verifiable emergency or documented health event counts — the FAQ says work conflicts, childcare, travel and transportation delays do not.
- ☐Bring an original, non-expired U.S. or state government photo ID: a U.S. driver's license, passport, government-issued visa, military ID, or current-year high school ID. Electronic IDs are not accepted, and without an acceptable ID you are neither admitted nor rescheduled.
- ☐Double-check the test-center address the night before — it is shown only in your scheduling confirmation.
4Arriving at the test center
- ☐Plan to arrive early. Give yourself a buffer for traffic, parking, and check-in — you will be photographed at check-in, and a mask comes off for identification.
- ☐If anything goes wrong during the exam, tell site staff immediately. The FAQ is explicit that an irregularity reported after the exam does not get you a retest.
- ☐Only test-takers are admitted to the testing area — plan childcare in advance, as minors and companions cannot wait inside (a parent or guardian of a minor test-taker is the only exception).
- ☐Leave banned items in your car or at home. It's simpler than finding somewhere to store them at the site.
- ☐Dress in comfortable layers you can adjust — rooms run warm or cool.
5Memory section — know the protocol
One section runs on a strict clock. Expecting it removes the surprise.
- ☐One section, Remembering Facts and Information, works on a fixed clock: you get 5 minutes to study a short written incident, then it is taken away.
- ☐A 10-minute delay follows before the memory questions appear — you are recalling, not re-reading.
- ☐No written notes are allowed, and there is no second look at the story.
- ☐Knowing the protocol ahead of time is the point: it should feel familiar, not surprising, on exam day.
6The night before
- ☐Aim for a normal, full night of sleep. Rest does more for recall than a late cram session.
- ☐Confirm your test-center address and plan your route and parking.
- ☐Set out your ID and a plan to leave banned items behind.
- ☐Set two alarms.
7The morning of
- ☐Eat something you normally eat. Exam day is not the day for a new routine.
- ☐Leave earlier than you think you need to.
- ☐Take a slow breath before you start. You have prepared for this; treat it as one more practice run under the clock.
Official sources: exam 45-857 announcement and the statewide candidate FAQ. Last verified September 5, 2026.
This checklist is built for 45-857 test centers only. Other agencies publish their own admission and prohibited-item rules — if you are also sitting the NYC Police Officer exam 7313, check that notice separately rather than assuming the rules match.
Walk in knowing the format cold
The checklist handles logistics. For the exam itself, take the free diagnostic and train the memory section on the real 5-minute / 10-minute protocol.