NYS Court Officer Exam Day Checklist

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.
• ☐Bring the identification named in your scheduling instructions, and double-check the test-center address the night before.

4Arriving at the test center

• ☐Plan to arrive early. Give yourself a buffer for traffic, parking, and check-in.
• ☐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 roughly 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.