CICM First Part exam-day guide
CICM First Part · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document in the name used on your registration. Acceptable ID types and name-change evidence vary by provider, so confirm the exact requirement with the provider before exam day.
Admission or confirmation notice
Carry the confirmation email or letter showing your candidate number, test centre, and session time. Print a copy if the provider requires it; confirm whether electronic copies are accepted.
Exam permit or candidate number
Note your candidate number and any login details separately from your ID. If the provider issues a permit, print it as instructed and confirm the format with the provider.
Approved calculator
Check the provider's list of permitted calculator models and whether a reset or memory-clear is required at the desk. If the model list is not published, confirm with the provider.
Stationery allowed by the provider
Pens, pencils, eraser, and sharpener are commonly permitted, but rules on pencil cases, highlighters, and annotation of question papers vary. Confirm the permitted list with the provider.
Personal medication and required aids
Bring necessary medication and any approved aids such as glasses or hearing assistance. Declare items at check-in; special arrangements must usually be approved in advance, so confirm the process with the provider.
Food, water, and layers
Bring water and a light snack for scheduled breaks if the venue allows them, and dress in layers. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Travel plan and backup route
Rehearse the route and identify a backup. Aim to arrive with generous margin, as late-arrival cut-offs are strict and set by the provider.
Leave valuables at home
Bring only what you need. Phones, smart watches, and notes are usually collected or prohibited, and storage may be limited. Confirm the venue's storage arrangements with the provider.
Rest and sleep plan for the final week
Protect sleep in the last week and avoid all-night revision. Fatigue impairs reasoning more than one extra hour of study helps.
Read the provider's exam-day instructions
Read the current candidate handbook or instructions for conduct, permitted items, and break rules, as these change over time. Verify anything unclear with the provider.
Confirm special arrangements in writing
If you have approved adjustments such as extra time or a separate room, carry written confirmation and arrive early to set up. Confirm the details with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Consolidate high-yield topics, review your own summary notes, and practise a timed mixed set of questions under exam conditions. Check your admission details, ID, calculator, and travel plan, and resolve any discrepancy with the provider immediately. Shift sleep toward your exam-day wake time and taper study in the final evening.
Do a light review only: formulas, normal values, and your list of recurring errors. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, calculator, stationery, water, and medication. Confirm the venue location, transport times, and parking. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do not start new topics or attempt a full mock exam.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate, and avoid excessive caffeine. Arrive early, allowing for delays. At check-in, follow staff instructions, declare permitted items, and store prohibited devices as directed. Use the washroom before entering the hall, settle at your desk, and read the front-page instructions carefully.
Read the instructions and note the time available per section. Answer confident questions first and flag uncertain ones for review. Pace yourself and leave time to transfer or check answers. If a question is unclear, choose the best answer and move on; do not let one item consume your time. Use scheduled breaks only as permitted, and return promptly. If you believe there is a technical or administrative problem, raise it with an invigilator immediately.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID in the name used for registration. If your name has changed or your ID is unavailable, contact the provider in advance; do not assume alternative documents will be accepted.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earphones, or notes into the test area unless the provider permits them. Follow instructions for storage and switch devices off.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not leave the hall without permission.
Breaks, including washroom breaks, are governed by provider rules and may be limited or supervised. Confirm the break policy with the provider before exam day.
Only use calculators, stationery, and reference materials that the provider permits. Confirm the permitted list with the provider if it is not clearly published.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider and may change between sittings. Do not rely on recalled pass marks; check the current published standard.
If you believe an exam-day problem affected your performance, report it to the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's post-exam process. Confirm the process with the provider.
Do not discuss or share recalled exam content afterwards. Follow the provider's confidentiality rules and confirm them if unsure.