EA exam day: what to expect, in person or at home
Last checked October 22, 2026 · Sources: PSI’s IRS SEE candidate information bulletin (revised June 24, 2026) and the IRS enrolled agent FAQ. Per-question time is our arithmetic.
On EA exam day, each part is 3.5 hours of exam time, about four hours in the seat. Since March 2026 you can take it at a PSI test center or at home with a remote proctor. The rules that cost people their fee are about ID, arriving on time, and what you keep in the room.
The EA exam day timetable
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple choice (85 scored, 15 experimental and unmarked) |
| Exam time | 3.5 hours, about 2 minutes per question |
| Breaks | Two scheduled 10-minute breaks |
| Time in the seat | About 4 hours including check-in |
| Fee | $317 per part, paid when you schedule |
| Passing score | 500 on a 200 to 800 scale |
Per part, from PSI’s candidate bulletin and the IRS FAQ. Per-question pace is our arithmetic.
ID and timing, the two ways to lose your fee
- Bring one original, unexpired government-issued photo ID showing your name, photo and signature.
- Your first and last name must exactly match the name you used to schedule. A mismatch counts as a missed appointment, and you forfeit the fee.
- Military IDs are accepted at test centers if they show a photo and a valid signature, but not for remote testing.
- Arriving 30 minutes late or more forfeits your whole fee.
At a test center
- Paper, pencils and a calculator are provided, so you do not bring your own.
- Personal items go in a locker, and you cannot leave the testing room with your notes.
- Water is not allowed in the testing room, but you can access food and drink from your locker on scheduled breaks.
- Eyeglasses are inspected for recording devices, and most jewellery is not allowed, apart from wedding and engagement rings and small stud earrings.
Testing remotely
- Use a walled room where nobody will disturb you. No one else may be in the room.
- Check in up to 15 minutes early. It takes 10 to 15 minutes, and you will film your workspace for the proctor to review.
- Clear your desk. No notes, paper, calculators, phones, tablets, smart watches, headphones or second screens.
- Water only, in a clear container with no labels and a lid, which will be inspected.
- Stay in view of the webcam. Leaving it, speaking aloud or looking off screen can pause or end your session, and the entire session is recorded.
Run the system check before exam day. The proctoring software needs to install on your computer, so a locked-down work laptop may not work. After you finish, close the proctoring application completely before leaving the webcam’s view. International candidates can only test remotely.
Pacing
100 questions in 3.5 hours is roughly two minutes a question. Flag the hard ones and come back.
Fifteen of the 100 are experimental and unscored, and you cannot tell which. Do not spend ten minutes on one.
Two scheduled 10-minute breaks are built into the session. Use them.
Common questions about EA exam day
Can I bring notes or use my phone?
The exam is closed book. You cannot access notes, books, reference materials, phones or electronic devices at any time, including during breaks, and doing so may nullify your result.
What if I am ill on the day?
You can reschedule or cancel without a fee 48 hours or more ahead. Inside 48 hours you pay another full exam fee, so contact PSI as early as you can.
How do I know remote testing will work on my computer?
The IRS says the system check is available on PSI’s site. Review the requirements in advance, since you need to be able to install PSI’s proctoring platform on your computer.
When do I get my result?
You’ll see a scaled score from 200 to 800; 500 passes. See our EA exam scoring page.
See also how to register for the EA exam and EA exam dates.