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Complete CAIA Prometric guide for Level I and Level II candidates: scheduling, ID, printed confirmation, calculators, breaks, rescheduling fees, accommodations, and test-day logistics.
Use this section for the shortest path through the guide before you dig into the full workflow below.
Complete CAIA Prometric guide for Level I and Level II candidates: scheduling, ID, printed confirmation, calculators, breaks, rescheduling fees, accommodations, and test-day logistics.
Prometric rules can change by delivery mode. Verify the official handbook and scheduler page before test day.
Use the guide below to map blueprint coverage, pacing checkpoints, and the operational issues that can derail an otherwise ready candidate.
Re-check dates, IDs, accommodations, devices, and reschedule rules shortly before the exam if any of those items are handled by a third party.
Get online exam help from coordinators who map official requirements, flag scheduling conflicts, and build a readiness timeline around your target date.
Help with online exam logistics including practice environment setup, proctoring dry-runs, and day-of contingency planning so nothing is left to chance.
Use this CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) exam help page for exam-specific context, then compare the broader online exam help services page or contact HiraEdu if you need a direct handoff. This page stays focused on CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) while the linked service pages cover broader exam support options.
CAIA exams are computer-based professional exams delivered through Prometric test centers around the world. The CAIA Association states that the exams are offered twice a year, in March and September, and that standard delivery is through Prometric. Online proctored exams are available by exception only when an accommodation is approved. Source label: CAIA Registration Dates & Fees, Schedule page, and FAQ, verified 2026-05-10.
This page is about the Prometric side of CAIA planning: how to schedule after registration, how to avoid ID and confirmation problems, which calculator to bring, how the break works, what rescheduling costs, and what to do if a center changes your appointment. The curriculum still matters, but many CAIA failures are logistical long before the candidate sees the first question.
| CAIA Prometric decision | Official anchor | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard delivery | Prometric test centers | Plan travel and seat reservation early |
| Remote delivery | Accommodation-only online proctoring | Do not assume remote testing without approval |
| Scheduling | Prometric after CAIA registration | Wait about 30 minutes after registration, then use CAIA ID as eligibility number |
| Identity | CAIA ID policy | First and last name must match ID and printed confirmation |
| Test day | CAIA Exam Handbook and Prometric procedures | Bring printed confirmation, original ID, and approved calculator |
Before scheduling with Prometric, the candidate must register for the correct CAIA exam window through CAIA. CAIA says scheduling can begin about 30 minutes after registration is completed, using the CAIA account ID number as the eligibility number. Seat availability is first-come, first-served and CAIA does not guarantee a particular date, time, or location. Source label: CAIA Schedule page and 2026 Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
Prometric eligibility is not open-ended. CAIA states candidates may reschedule only within the same testing window and may not move a March registration to September or a September registration to March. If a candidate cannot sit or does not pass, the retake path is a future window with the applicable fee. Source label: CAIA Registration Dates & Fees, verified 2026-05-10.
| Requirement | What to confirm | Deadline pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Registered CAIA window | March or September Level I/II | Before Prometric scheduling |
| Prometric seat | Location, date, start time | As early as possible after registration |
| Accommodation request | Submit to CAIA and wait before scheduling | At least 6 weeks before the exam window |
| ID issue | Contact CAIA if requirements cannot be met | No later than 30 days before the exam window per ID policy |
| Confirmation | Printed Prometric confirmation | Before leaving for the center |
Prometric delivers the exam, but CAIA defines the structure. Level I consists of 200 multiple-choice questions split into two sections of 100 questions each. Level II consists of 100 multiple-choice questions in Section 1 and three constructed-response sets in Section 2. Source label: 2026 CAIA Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
| Level | Section 1 | Section 2 | Prometric implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | 100 multiple-choice questions | 100 multiple-choice questions | Practice two long MC blocks at the center pace |
| Level II | 100 multiple-choice questions | 3 constructed-response sets | Prepare for a mental switch after the break |
| Both levels | Computer-based interface | Timer, flagging, review, submit controls | Use the CAIA tutorial before exam week |
CAIA says questions may have three or four choices, may be item sets, and all scored multiple-choice questions within a level carry equal weight. There is no penalty for guessing, and unanswered questions count as incorrect. Prometric conditions make pacing discipline essential because once a section expires, candidates cannot return to that section.
The CAIA test-center session is five hours total: 5 minutes for the nondisclosure agreement, 5 minutes for tutorial instructions, 130 minutes for Section 1, an optional 30-minute break, and 130 minutes for Section 2. If the nondisclosure agreement is not accepted within 5 minutes, the candidate is not permitted to sit and forfeits the registration fee. Source label: 2026 CAIA Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
| Session part | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Nondisclosure agreement | 5 minutes | Must be accepted on screen |
| Tutorial | 5 minutes | Interface instructions |
| Section 1 | 130 minutes | Level I/II multiple-choice section |
| Optional scheduled break | 30 minutes | Between sections |
| Section 2 | 130 minutes | Level I MC or Level II constructed response |
| Total session | 5 hours | Includes agreement, tutorial, sections, and break |
The optional scheduled break is separate from unscheduled breaks. The handbook says exceeding the scheduled break can reduce Section 2 time, while unscheduled breaks do not pause the timer. Candidates can have up to two unscheduled breaks, but time continues to run and access to locker items is limited.
Prometric administers the appointment, but CAIA determines scoring and releases results. CAIA does not release actual scores or passing scores. Level I results are generally released within five weeks after the last exam-window day, and Level II results generally within eight weeks. Source label: 2026 CAIA Exam Handbook and FAQ, verified 2026-05-10.
| Scoring topic | Official position | Prometric implication |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric score | Not released | The center will not provide a score at checkout |
| Passing score | Not released | Do not rely on rumored cutoffs |
| Level I result timing | Generally within 5 weeks after window close | Plan Level II registration timing accordingly |
| Level II result timing | Generally within 8 weeks after window close | Plan membership timing after results |
| Incident reporting | Report administration concerns to CAIA promptly | Document center issues before details fade |
If a technical or environmental disruption occurs but testing can continue, the handbook says candidates must stay at the location or designated area and comply with test-center instructions. Leaving can affect rescheduling or deferral decisions.
For September 2026, CAIA lists registration opening April 13, 2026, early deadline June 8, 2026, registration close August 3, 2026, Level I window August 31-September 11, and Level II window September 14-25. For March 2027, registration opens October 12, 2026, early deadline December 7, 2026, registration close February 1, 2027, Level I window March 1-12, and Level II window March 15-26. Source label: CAIA Registration Dates & Fees, verified 2026-05-10.
| Step | Action | Common failure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register with CAIA for the correct level and window | Selecting a window you cannot attend |
| 2 | Wait about 30 minutes for eligibility to reach Prometric | Trying to schedule before eligibility is active |
| 3 | Use CAIA ID number as the Prometric eligibility number | Entering the wrong identifier |
| 4 | Choose location, date, and time inside the CAIA window | Choosing a date shown by Prometric that is outside CAIA availability |
| 5 | Print and store the confirmation | Showing up with only a phone copy |
To find a Prometric center, CAIA says select "Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association" in Prometric's search. If no availability appears, contact CAIA at candidate@caia.org rather than waiting silently.
Prometric logistics can affect cost even after CAIA registration. CAIA lists first-time Level I total fees at $1,395 early or $1,795 standard, ordinary first-time Level II exam registration at $995 early or $1,395 standard, and retakes at $795. Rescheduling is free if done 30 days or more before the scheduled exam window; a $50 scheduling change fee applies 29 to 5 days before the window; no reschedule changes are permitted less than 5 days before the window. Source label: CAIA Registration Dates & Fees and Schedule page, verified 2026-05-10.
| Cost item | Amount | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Level I first-time early total | $1,395 | Includes $400 enrollment and $995 registration |
| Level I first-time standard total | $1,795 | Includes $400 enrollment and $1,395 registration |
| Level II ordinary early registration | $995 | Digital curriculum included |
| Level II ordinary standard registration | $1,395 | Digital curriculum included |
| Retake fee | $795 | Applies to future window retake |
| Reschedule fee | $0 or $50 depending on timing | Less than 5 days: no reschedule changes permitted |
Budget for travel, parking, hotel if the center is far, calculator batteries, a backup approved calculator if desired, and time off work. If Prometric moves or cancels the appointment, CAIA says Prometric will attempt to reschedule within the same location and window or within a 50-mile radius; if no center exists within that radius, contact candidate@caia.org.
Prometric readiness is part academic, part operational. The CAIA Association recommends a minimum of 200 study hours per exam level, but the final week should also include a test-center rehearsal: calculator drill, timing simulation, ID check, printed confirmation, route plan, and break plan. Source label: CAIA official curriculum pages and 2026 Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
| Prep layer | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | Study official curriculum and topic weights | CAIA writes exams from official readings |
| Interface | Use CAIA tutorial and practice flagging strategy | Reduces friction on exam day |
| Timing | Simulate 130-minute sections | Builds section-level pacing |
| Logistics | Print confirmation, check ID, pack calculator | Prevents avoidable denial |
| Recovery | Plan break food/water and reset routine | Protects Section 2 performance |
For Level I, run two 100-question timed blocks. For Level II, run one 100-question timed block and one 130-minute constructed-response practice session. Prometric pressure feels different from desk practice, so rehearse with no phone, no notes, and only the approved calculator.
Prometric testing rewards disciplined navigation. The handbook says candidates can flag items and return within the same section, but once section time expires, they cannot return. That means section strategy matters as much as overall study volume. Source label: 2026 CAIA Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
| Section type | Best strategy | Trap | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I Section 1/2 | First pass for known items, flag uncertain items | Spending 4 minutes on one calculation | Cap early attempts and return later |
| Level II MC section | Fast recognition plus interpretation | Treating every vignette as equally difficult | Extract the decision point first |
| Level II constructed response | Answer by point value and command verb | Writing long essays with weak scoring density | Use bullets or short paragraphs where appropriate |
| Break | Reset without over-reviewing | Ruminating over Section 1 | Shift attention to Section 2 format |
Top Prometric mistakes include scheduling late, not printing confirmation, using a disallowed calculator, arriving under 30 minutes before the appointment, assuming an electronic ID works, accessing locker items improperly, taking too long on unscheduled breaks, and leaving the center during a disruption without instruction.
Use CAIA official resources for policy: Registration Dates & Fees, Schedule Your Exam, Testing Accommodations, Identification Policy, Exam Checklist, Curriculum & Study Tools, and the 2026 Exam Handbook. Use Prometric resources for center process, closures, and appointment management. Source label: CAIA official pages and Prometric exam resources, verified 2026-05-10.
| Resource | Use it for | Freshness check |
|---|---|---|
| CAIA Schedule page | scheduling, rescheduling, Prometric changes | Check before booking and before changing an appointment |
| CAIA ID policy | ID and printed confirmation | Check one month before exam |
| CAIA Testing Accommodations | accommodation route and timing | Check before scheduling |
| CAIA Exam Handbook | exam day, calculators, breaks, scoring | Recheck exam week |
| Prometric appointment portal | confirmation, center, time, reschedule/cancel controls | Check after every email update |
Red flags include unofficial Prometric advice copied from other exam sponsors, remote-testing assumptions, old calculator lists, vague ID guidance, and prep providers that ignore appointment logistics.
The handbook says candidates must arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment. To gain admission, bring the original valid ID and printed Prometric confirmation. Candidates must also bring an approved calculator; CAIA authorizes the Texas Instruments BA II Plus family and Hewlett Packard 12C family. Source label: 2026 CAIA Exam Handbook and CAIA Identification Policy, verified 2026-05-10.
| Test-day checkpoint | Required action | Failure mode |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Be at the center at least 30 minutes early | Late stress or denial risk |
| ID | Original valid photo/signature ID | Digital or paper ID not accepted |
| Confirmation | Printed Prometric confirmation | Electronic copy not accepted |
| Calculator | Approved BA II Plus or HP 12C family | Unauthorized calculator can cancel the exam |
| Belongings | Store personal items as instructed | Possession of restricted devices can void results |
For anxiety control, use a repeatable routine at the workstation: read the item, identify the task, solve or eliminate, answer, flag if needed, and move. Do not use the break to litigate Section 1; use it to reset posture, hydration, and timing focus for Section 2.
Prometric checkout does not produce a pass/fail score. CAIA releases Level I results generally within five weeks after the window closes and Level II results generally within eight weeks. Candidates receive an email when results are available in the CAIA account. Source label: CAIA FAQ and 2026 Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
| After-exam situation | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Normal completion | Keep the Prometric receipt/email and wait for CAIA result release |
| Center disruption | Report concerns to CAIA promptly with date, center, incident type, and details |
| Prometric cancellation | Follow reschedule email; contact CAIA if no center within the stated range |
| Fail result | Use performance report and register for a future window when ready |
| Pass Level II | Review membership requirements before using CAIA marks |
If you have an administration concern, the handbook asks candidates to report it to CAIA as soon as possible and allow two to three weeks for a response. Include concrete facts, not just frustration: date, location, what happened, who was involved, and how it affected the appointment.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are CAIA exams delivered by Prometric? | Yes, CAIA exams are delivered at Prometric test centers. |
| Can I take CAIA remotely? | Only by approved accommodation, according to CAIA. |
| When can I schedule Prometric? | About 30 minutes after completing CAIA registration. |
| What eligibility number do I use? | CAIA says to use the CAIA account ID number as the eligibility number. |
| How do I find the exam in Prometric? | Select Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association. |
| Are Prometric seats guaranteed? | No, availability is first-come, first-served. |
| Can I schedule outside the CAIA window? | No, only CAIA exam-window dates are valid for CAIA testing. |
| Can I switch exam windows? | No, CAIA says registrations are not open-ended. |
| Can I reschedule within the same window? | Yes, under CAIA/Prometric timing rules. |
| What is the no-fee reschedule deadline? | 30 days or more before the scheduled exam window. |
| What is the reschedule fee after that? | $50 for changes made 29 to 5 days before the scheduled exam window. |
| Can I reschedule less than 5 days before the window? | CAIA says no reschedule changes are permitted then. |
| What if Prometric cancels my appointment? | Prometric tries to reschedule in the same location/window or within 50 miles; contact CAIA if that is not possible. |
| What ID do I need? | Original valid government ID with photo and signature. |
| Is a digital ID accepted? | No, CAIA says digital ID is not accepted. |
| Is a paper ID accepted? | No, CAIA says paper ID is not accepted. |
| Do I need a printed confirmation? | Yes, a printed Prometric confirmation is required. |
| Can I show the confirmation on my phone? | No, CAIA says electronic confirmation is not accepted. |
| What if my confirmation name differs? | Contact CAIA before exam day; first and last names must match. |
| Are middle names considered? | CAIA says middle names are not considered for matching ID. |
| How early should I arrive? | At least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment. |
| What calculators are allowed? | TI BA II Plus family and HP 12C family. |
| Will Prometric supply a calculator? | No, candidates must bring an approved calculator. |
| Can I bring a backup calculator? | Yes, a second approved calculator can be stored in the locker for malfunction situations. |
| Can I bring scratch paper? | The handbook says the center provides an erasable note board and marker. |
| Can I keep the note board after the exam? | No, it must be returned. |
| Are lockers provided? | The handbook says personal belongings are stored in assigned lockers. |
| Can I access my phone during break? | No, restricted electronic devices must not be accessed. |
| Is there a scheduled break? | Yes, an optional 30-minute break between sections. |
| What if I exceed break time? | Extra time can be deducted from Section 2. |
| Are unscheduled breaks allowed? | The handbook allows up to two, but the timer does not pause. |
| Can I leave the building during an unscheduled break? | No, unscheduled breaks are limited and the candidate must not leave the center. |
| What happens if I do not accept the NDA? | If not accepted within 5 minutes, you cannot sit and forfeit the fee. |
| Does Prometric give my score? | No, CAIA releases results later. |
| When are Level I results released? | Generally within 5 weeks after the last exam-window day. |
| When are Level II results released? | Generally within 8 weeks after the last exam-window day. |
| What if there is a disruption? | Follow center instructions, stay in the designated area, and report concerns to CAIA promptly. |
| Can I leave if there is a tech issue? | Leaving without following instructions can harm rescheduling or deferral eligibility. |
| Are centers recorded? | The handbook says testing areas are subject to audio and video recording. |
| Are earplugs available? | The handbook says earplugs are available from the administrator upon request if typing noise distracts you. |
| Should I schedule early? | Yes, CAIA says availability is limited and first-come, first-served. |
| What if no location appears near me? | Contact candidate@caia.org for guidance. |
| Do accommodations carry over? | CAIA accommodation guidance says they do not carry over and must be resubmitted as needed. |
| When are accommodations due? | No later than six weeks before the testing window. |
| Should I schedule before accommodation approval? | No, CAIA says do not schedule until the request has been processed. |
| Is Level I at Prometric different from Level II? | Delivery is similar, but Level II Section 2 is constructed response. |
| What is the best Prometric prep? | Timed section practice, official tutorial, ID check, printed confirmation, calculator check, and route plan. |
| What should I verify the day before? | Appointment time, center address, ID, printed confirmation, calculator, batteries, and travel time. |
| What should I do after the exam? | Keep records and wait for CAIA's result email. |
Location planning should be completed before the final month. Prometric centers vary by city and cycle, and CAIA says seats are not guaranteed for any specific date or time. Source label: CAIA Schedule page and 2026 Exam Handbook, verified 2026-05-10.
| Location verification item | Where to confirm | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest Prometric center | Prometric scheduling portal after registration | Not until checked live |
| Appointment time and address | Prometric confirmation | Not until printed |
| Local travel time | Map route plus dry run if possible | Not until tested |
| Accommodation status | CAIA accommodations communication | Not until approved |
| ID acceptance | CAIA ID policy and candidate support if needed | Not until verified |
| Closure/cancellation updates | Prometric email and CAIA guidance | Check before departure |
Ask the candidate for country, nearest city, CAIA level, target window, accommodation needs, ID type, work schedule, and travel constraints before recommending a Prometric booking plan.
Confirm the current handbook, scheduler rules, and ID requirements before you commit to a study or booking plan.
Use the official blueprint and a timed baseline to decide what needs review, drilling, or remediation first.
Run timed sets or full-length practice under the same delivery conditions you expect on exam day whenever possible.
Decide whether to sit CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) now, delay briefly, or rebuild fundamentals based on measurable readiness instead of hope.
Use the guide to self-serve, or talk to a coordinator if you need help mapping timelines, official requirements, or troubleshooting day-of logistics.
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