You’ve studied for weeks. The last thing you want on exam morning is a surprise about how the test works. The good news: the NDHCE’s day-of mechanics are simple and well-defined. Here’s exactly what to expect, from check-in to results.
Where you write: testing centres only
Since January 2024, the NDHCE has been delivered at testing centres, not by remote proctoring. You select a preferred writing-centre location when you apply, and seats are filled first-come, first-served — so registering early helps you get your preferred spot. You cannot change your centre after the registration deadline.
The exam is administered on computer at these centres through the FDHRC’s testing vendor. Bring valid government photo ID and arrive early.
The exam structure: two locked sections
The NDHCE is 200 multiple-choice questions, split into two halves:
- Section 1: 100 questions, 2 hours.
- Compulsory 15-minute break.
- Section 2: 100 questions, 2 hours.
The single most important rule to internalize: once you submit a section, you cannot go back to it. Any question you flagged to revisit in Section 1 has to be resolved before you submit Section 1 — there is no returning to it after the break. Plan your time to leave a review pass within each section, not for the end of the exam.
Of the 200 questions, 170 are scored and 30 are unscored pilot items that are indistinguishable from the rest. You can’t tell which is which, so answer every question as if it counts — and because there’s no penalty for wrong answers, never leave a blank.
A practical pacing tip many candidates use: in each section, tackle the case-based sets first while you’re fresh, then the standalone questions.
Exam security: treat it as confidential
The NDHCE is protected by Canadian copyright law. Before you begin you’ll agree to a Candidate Statement of Understanding, and by writing the exam you agree to keep its content confidential — no discussing or sharing questions before, during or after.
The FDHRC takes this seriously. It can withhold or nullify results for testing irregularities, ID discrepancies, misconduct, or statistically aberrant performance with no reasonable explanation, and can impose consequences up to banning future exams and reporting to regulators. None of this affects an honest candidate — just don’t photograph, memorize-to-share, or discuss specific items.
What to bring (and what not to)
- Bring: valid government photo ID, and arrive with time to spare.
- Review the permitted/prohibited items list for your sitting in advance — writing centres have rules about what you can take to your seat.
- Personal items typically go in a locker, not at your workstation.
Because the specific permitted-items rules can change by sitting and centre, confirm the current details on the FDHRC’s exam-day information before you go.
After you submit: the results wait
This is the part candidates find hardest — the wait.
- Scoring takes 4–6 weeks.
- Unofficial results are posted online no sooner than four weeks after the exam, listed by your candidate ID number (don’t lose it — staff won’t give it to you over the phone).
- Official results are mailed within six weeks. Results are never given by phone and can’t be expedited.
- You’re told pass or fail only — never a numeric score. If you don’t pass, you receive a personalized Performance Profile by domain. Here’s what to do if you fail.
The night before
- Do a final light review of your one-page cheat sheet, not a full cram.
- Confirm your centre location, travel time and ID.
- Sleep. On an application-heavy exam, a rested brain beats a few extra memorized facts.
Walk in understanding the format, respect the section-lock, answer everything, and keep the content confidential. Do that, and test day is just the calm final step of the preparation you’ve already done — see the 8-week study plan for getting there, and the format overview for the full structure.
Sources: FDHRC, Overview of the NDHCE (2026) — format, testing-centre delivery, exam security and results timelines. Confirm current exam-day rules at fdhrc.ca.