Close Protection Operations exam-day guide
Close Protection Operations · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document named in your registration. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is usually not accepted. Confirm with the provider which ID types they accept and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Admission or confirmation document
Carry a printed or downloaded copy of your test appointment confirmation, including test centre address, start time, and any candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Some close protection tests include a written or numeracy component. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are approved; do not assume a phone calculator is permitted.
Stationery
Bring two pens and a pencil with eraser in case the centre does not supply them. Confirm with the provider whether answer sheets are machine-read and require pencil only.
Test centre location and route
Reconfirm the address and entrance the day before. Many centres sit inside larger buildings with security screening, so allow extra time to reach the correct room. If you are unsure of the entrance, confirm with the provider.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to arrive well before the stated start time so you can complete ID checks and seating without stress. Confirm with the provider how early candidates should arrive and what happens if you are late.
Personal needs plan
Bring water and any permitted medication, and know the centre's policy on food, drink, and access to toilets. Confirm with the provider whether water bottles must be clear or are banned from the desk.
Access arrangements confirmation
If you requested extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, bring the written approval. Confirm with the provider that the arrangement is recorded against your booking, because on-the-day requests may not be granted.
Leave valuables at home
Phones, smart watches, and bags are usually stored away or banned from the test room. Confirm with the provider what storage exists and whether phones must be switched off and surrendered.
Review key concepts only
In the final days, review summaries of threat assessment, route planning, foot and vehicle formations, client liaison, and incident response rather than learning new material. Use the official syllabus to check topic coverage.
Sleep and travel plan
Protect sleep in the last two nights and plan your journey with a backup route. Fatigue affects judgement more than one extra hour of cramming helps.
Read the candidate handbook
The handbook covers conduct, timing, and scoring. Read it before test day. If any rule is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Plan the day
Confirm your booking, test centre address, start time, and any access arrangements in writing. Check that your ID is valid and that the name matches your registration. If anything is inconsistent, contact the provider immediately, as corrections may take time.
Work through the official syllabus and mark any topic you cannot explain in plain language. Spend your remaining study time on those gaps, using short practice questions to test recall rather than rereading notes. Stop studying new material after this point.
Do one timed practice set under realistic conditions: no phone, no notes, fixed time limit. Review errors and write a one-page summary of the concepts you most often miss, such as client briefing formats, search procedures, or radio protocol.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, stationery, permitted calculator, water, and access approval if relevant. Lay out clothing and check the weather and transport disruption notices. Confirm the route and a backup route, and note the earliest realistic departure time.
Do a light review of your one-page summary only, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. Set two alarms and charge your phone, but plan not to rely on it during the test.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Leave your phone and smart watch stored as the centre directs. Use the toilet before entering the room, and keep conversation with other candidates light rather than comparing preparation.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions, the time limit, and the marking scheme before you start. Answer the questions you know first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Watch the clock at set intervals rather than continuously.
For scenario questions, identify the client, the threat, and the priority action before choosing an answer. Eliminate clearly wrong options first. If a question seems ambiguous, choose the answer that best reflects lawful, proportionate, and client-focused practice.
Reserve the last few minutes to check that every question has an answer and that your details are correct on the answer sheet or screen. Do not change answers on impulse unless you have a clear reason.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh, and ask the provider about result timelines and any resit policy. Do not discuss specific questions in detail with other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID specified in your registration and present it when asked. If your ID has expired or your name differs from the booking, contact the provider before test day to resolve it.
Follow all instructions from invigilators, including where to store bags, phones, and watches. Unauthorised items at the desk may lead to removal from the test room or invalidation of your result.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not copy, photograph, or share test content afterwards. Test materials are usually confidential; confirm the exact confidentiality terms with the provider.
Raise your hand if you need to leave the room, feel unwell, or have a problem with your equipment. Do not leave your seat unannounced, and expect that toilet breaks may be escorted or recorded.
Breaks are usually limited and may not stop the clock. Confirm with the provider whether scheduled breaks exist, whether the timer pauses, and whether you may bring water to the desk.
Scoring rules, pass marks, and whether wrong answers are penalised vary between providers. Confirm these with the provider in advance, and do not guess at the marking scheme during the test.
If you believe there was a disturbance or a technical fault, tell an invigilator immediately and ask how to record it. Requests for special consideration usually depend on a report made on the day.
Arrive by the stated time. Late candidates may be refused entry or given reduced time. Confirm with the provider what lateness policy applies and whether any allowance is made for transport disruption.