The exam, plus registration and instructions, typically takes between 2 and 3 hours.

Every version of the exam has 100 scored questions. This is true no matter how many exam questions are given to each candidate. All candidates are given at least one minute per exam question.

Candidates whose native language is English are given as as many minutes for the exam as they have questions. This is 100 minutes for a 100-item exam, 120 minutes for a 120-item exam, or 150 minutes for a 150-item exam.

Candidates whose native language is other than English are offered additional time. They get 30 minutes extra for 100- or 120-item exams and 40 minutes extra for 150-item exams. They are given 130 minutes for a 100-item exam, 150 minutes for a 120-item exam, and 190 minutes for a 150-item exam. Most exams have either 100 or 120 items.

A candidate should expect 20 to 30 minutes of instructions and registration before an exam starts.