Exam Policies: Allowed Tools, Communication Rules, and Retake Procedures

Preparing for a Practical DevSecOps certification exam? Knowing exactly which tools you can use, how to handle notifications, and what to do if you need to retake the exam can make the difference between a smooth experience and an unexpected interruption. This guide consolidates the most frequently asked questions about exam conduct, outlines the permitted and prohibited resources, and walks you through the retake process step‑by‑step.

1. What Tools and Communication Channels Are Allowed During the Exam?

1.1 General Rule – No External Assistance

You must complete the exam without help from anyone else.
AI‑driven services (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Bing Chat) are strictly prohibited. But Google’s AI Overviews are still allowed and tolerated because we can’t disable them.

1.2 Microsoft Teams and Similar Collaboration Platforms

Microsoft Teams is considered a communication tool and is therefore not allowed for any purpose during the exam.
Even though Teams now includes an “Ask Microsoft” feature that leverages ChatGPT, using it would violate the AI‑restriction policy.

Example: If you receive a Teams notification prompting you to ask a question, you must ignore it. Opening the chat window and typing a query would be counted as using an AI‑assisted tool and could trigger the anti‑cheating system.

1.3 Permitted Tools

Category	Allowed?	Typical Use Cases
Built‑in browser functions (e.g., bookmarks, back/forward)	✅	Navigating the exam interface
Offline documentation saved before the exam	✅	Reference material you prepared in advance
System utilities that are part of the exam environment (e.g., terminal, code editor)	✅	Writing code or running commands required by the exam
Accessibility aids (screen readers, high‑contrast mode)	✅	For candidates with documented needs (must be declared beforehand)

| Built in google AI summary | ✅ | Google’s AI Overviews are allowed and tolerated. However, please keep in mind that using AI directly, such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, is prohibited |

Tip: Review the “Exam Technical Requirements” page before the test day to confirm that your environment meets all specifications.

2. How Do Notifications and Pop‑Ups Affect the Exam Session?

2.1 Normal Operation

The exam platform runs in a sandboxed environment that isolates the test from most desktop notifications.
Standard pop‑ups (email alerts, calendar reminders, instant‑messenger notifications) do not terminate the exam and will simply appear in the background.

2.2 When the Anti‑Cheating System Triggers

If the system detects a policy violation (e.g., opening a prohibited app, using an AI service, or receiving a live video feed), the exam session will be terminated immediately without warning.
In such cases you may be offered a chance to re‑provision the exam environment, but the termination itself is recorded.

2.3 Practical Scenario

Situation	Expected Outcome
You receive a Teams notification while the exam is running, but you ignore it.	No impact; the exam continues.
You click the notification and open Teams to ask a question.	Anti‑cheating system triggers; exam session ends.
A system update pop‑up appears on the host OS.	The pop‑up is hidden by the sandbox; exam continues.

Recommendation: Before starting, disable non‑essential notifications on the device you will use for the exam (e.g., turn off Outlook alerts, mute Slack). This reduces distraction and eliminates the temptation to interact with prohibited tools.

3. How to Retake a Practical DevSecOps Exam

If you do not achieve a passing score, you can schedule a retake. Follow these steps:

Purchase a Retake Voucher
- Visit the official retake page: https://www.practical-devsecops.com/exam-retake.
- Select the exam you need to retake (e.g., CDP Exam).
Complete the Payment
- Click Pay Now beneath the chosen exam.
- Fill in your payment details and confirm the transaction.
Schedule Your New Exam Slot
- After purchase, you can book a new exam date immediately.
- Important: The earliest available date is 15 days after your previous attempt.
- Example: If your first attempt was on January 3, 2025, the next possible date is January 18, 2025.
Prepare for the Retake
- Review the exam feedback (if provided) to identify knowledge gaps.
- Re‑visit the relevant training modules and practice labs.
- Verify that your exam environment complies with the latest policies.

3.1 Frequently Asked Retake Questions

Question	Answer
Can I take the retake on the same device?	Yes, as long as the device meets the technical requirements and no prohibited software is installed.
Will my previous attempt’s results be visible to the proctor?	Yes, the system logs all attempts for audit purposes.
Is there a limit to the number of retakes?	You may purchase multiple retake vouchers, but each new attempt must respect the 15‑day waiting period.

| I was unable to pass the exam previously and have now purchased a lab extension. Could you please confirm if the exam voucher is included with the lab extension purchase? | The exam voucher isn’t included with the lab extension. If you failed before you need to buy the retake exam voucher in here https://www.practical-devsecops.com/exam-retake/ |

4. Quick Tips for a Successful Exam Experience

Do a System Check 30 minutes before the exam: verify internet stability, close unnecessary applications, and disable notifications.
Read the Exam Rules displayed on the welcome screen; they are the final source of truth.
Keep a Pen and Paper handy for quick notes—digital note‑taking tools that are not part of the exam environment are not allowed.
Stay Calm: If you encounter a pop‑up, resist the urge to interact with it. The sandbox will handle it silently.
Plan Your Retake: If you anticipate needing a retake, book the voucher as soon as possible to secure a preferred date after the 15‑day window.

5. Summary

No external communication tools (including Microsoft Teams) or AI services may be used during the exam.
Desktop notifications and pop‑ups do not end the session, but any interaction with prohibited software will.
Retaking the exam requires purchasing a retake voucher, waiting at least 15 days, and scheduling a new slot.

By adhering to these policies and preparing methodically, you can focus on demonstrating your DevSecOps expertise without unexpected interruptions. Good luck on your certification journey!