Exam Information

Exam Info

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Exam Dates
ACAT computer-based exams are offered at Scantron Testing Centers across North America twice a year.  Locate your testing city here. 

Exam Window Exam Testing Dates Early Bird Registration* Registration Deadline
Fall 2019 Sept. 15 – Nov. 15, 2019 Sept. 13, 2019 Nov. 1, 2019

*Early Bird Registrations avoid a $50 late fee.  Anyone registering after the Early Bird cut off date will be charged an additional $50.00

Register for an ACAT Exam

Exam Fees

ABA Full Examination (Part 1 and Part 2):    $400
ABA Partial Examination (Part 1 or Part 2):     $250 
ATA Examination:                                           $250
ATP Examination:                                           $250
ARA Examination                                           $250


  • A $50 rescheduling fee will be charged to change an exam date once scheduled and all no-shows forfeit exam registration fees.
  • If you are scheduling your exam after the registration deadline for a specific exam window, there is a $50 late fee and there may be limited testing availability.

Please note that these fees are for the exams only. There is a separate $50 credential activation fee, $20 certificate fee and annual ACAT renewal fees to maintain earned ACAT credentialsMore details on annual renewal fees can be found here.


Exam Registration

Candidates can register for ACAT exams online at the ACAT website.  Once registered, you have up to three exam windows to schedule and take an exam. Registrations received after the Exam window begins will be subject to a $50 late registration fee.  


Scheduling Your Exam

ACAT computer-based exams are offered at Scantron Testing Centers across North America twice a year. 

Once your registration is processed, you will receive a Notice to Schedule/Eligibility email from Scantron that provides instructions to submit a scheduling request (such notices are sent no earlier than 45 days prior to the testing window). Once you submit your scheduling request, you will receive your Confirmation Notice from Scantron via email. This information will include your exam date and time reservation; the address and driving directions to the chosen testing site as well as instructions regarding arrival time; what to bring and not to bring; the rescheduling policy; a link to a generic sample test that demonstrates Scantron's online testing software, PASS, and other important information. 

 

Study Materials

Each credential has study materials available for purchase by the National Society of Accountants.* A detailed list of study materials can be found here.

*Please note if there are updates to the study materials within a year of purchase, ACAT will send you those updates in PDF form.

ACAT’s role is in developing and administering certification examinations to determine the qualifications of candidates for certification. The ACAT does not approve, endorse, or recommend any education or training programs or products designed or intended to prepare candidates for ABA certification. Purchase of NSA review materials is not a requirement for testing, nor does use of any review materials (NSA or otherwise) imply successful performance on the ACAT certification examinations.

Refund Policy:
All ACAT Study Material purchases are final. 

Day of the Exam

Please report to your exam location at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled testing time. You must bring your confirmation notice and a current, government-issued photo identification with signature (original driver's license, immigration card, passport, state ID card, or military ID card). You will NOT be admitted without proper identification. Your first and last name on your confirmation notice must match the first and last name on your identification exactly. If you have more than one last name listed on your government-issued photo ID, the same last names must be reflected on the confirmation notice. If you have a hyphenated last name, it must be hyphenated on both the identification and on your confirmation notice in order to be admitted. Presenting name change documentation (marriage license, etc.) at the testing center is not acceptable. Name change documentation may be submitted to Scantron at least one week prior to your testing appointment if needed.

Food and beverages are NOT allowed in the examination area. All personal items including books, notebooks, other papers, all electronic equipment (i.e. cell phones, cameras, etc.), bookbags, coats, etc. are NOT permitted. The proctor will provide a dry erase board for making notes or scratch paper and a pencil. A list of prohibited items and more information is on the confirmation notice from Scantron.


Cancellations
 and Reschedules

If you are scheduling your exam after the registration deadline, there is a $50 late fee and there may be limited testing availability.

You may reschedule or cancel your testing appointment up to four (4) business days in advance of your testing appointment. Reschedule/cancellation requests are not accepted within four (4) business days of your scheduled testing appointment. A $50 fee will apply; the fee must be paid online at the time of the request. In the event of a "no show", the candidate will forfeit the full exam fee.


Exam Score Requirements

The ACAT Board of Directors has set 70 as the minimum satisfactory level for the Comprehensive Examination (ABA), ATP and ATA exams. Individuals must score 70 or higher on each section of the exam pass the ABA exam.

In the case of the ABA exam, individuals who do not pass the full exam, but who score at least 70 on either Practice 1 or Practice 2 are considered to have “conditioned” that section of the Comprehensive Examination. Conditioning allows the candidate to successfully complete the exam by re-taking the part not previously passed. Candidates have 18 months from the date of conditioning to pass (by obtaining a second score of at least 70). After that, the condition is void. You must register for the part of the exam you wish to retake and pay the exam fee.

New credential holders will receive a hand-lettered certificate attesting to their accredited status, as well as other materials to assist them in publicizing their achievement. Your test results are confidential and will not be released to anyone without your written permission. ACAT stores exam results indefinitely.


Appeals Policy

Details on ACAT's Appeals Policy can be found here


Confidentiality Policy

ACAT is committed to protecting confidential information related to applicants, candidates, and certificants. Confidential materials include, but are not limited to: an individual’s application, application status, personal applicant/certificant information, exam items and answers, exam forms, and individual exam scores. 

Personal information about a candidate/certificant will only be released to that candidate/certificant if release of the information is authorized in writing by the individual or is required by law. Personal information submitted by applicant/certificants with an application or renewal application is considered confidential. Personal information retained within the applicant/certificant database will be kept confidential. 

Examination scores are released only to the examination candidate unless a signed release is provided in writing by the individual or is required by law.

Non-Discrimination Policy
ACAT does not discriminate against any candidate for certification on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, sexual orientation, military discharge status or source of income, or any other status protected by law. All candidates for certification will be judged solely on the criteria determined by the ACAT Board of Directors. 
 

Special Accommodations

ACAT complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for candidates and requests that the Scantron testing centers and authorized Capstone facilities provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with a disability covered by this Act. Candidates requiring special accommodations must contact the ACAT before scheduling the examination. Arrangements for special accommodations may take up to 30 days to coordinate. Requests for accommodations are reviewed by the Vice President to ensure the request can be processed without jeopardizing the integrity or security of the examination. The Vice President, or staff designee, communicate with the candidate to ensure all processes and procedures are explained and that a testing appointment is scheduled to accommodate their needs accordingly.

Candidates must indicate their special accommodations request on the ACAT Registration Form. 


Release of Information

The names of certified individuals are not considered confidential and may be published by the ACAT. 

Aggregate examination statistics (including the number of examination candidates, pass/fail rates, and total number of certificants) are made available on the ACAT website. Aggregate examination statistics, studies and reports concerning applicants/certificants contain no information identifiable with any applicant/certificant.

 
Record Retention

ACAT retains all examination forms, examination development documents, examination results, examination items, active examination application information, and active applicant/candidate/certificants data indefinitely. 

*ACAT’s role is in developing and administering certification examinations to determine the qualifications of candidates for certification. ACAT does not approve, endorse, or recommend any education or training programs or products designed or intended to prepare candidates for ABA certification. Purchase of NSA review materials is not a requirement for testing, nor does use of any review materials (NSA or otherwise) imply successful performance on the ACAT certification examinations.

REV. 04/23/2018

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