CeMAP Module 1 exam-day guide
CeMAP Module 1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Booking confirmation / appointment reference
Have the confirmation email or reference to hand - printed and on your phone. Some centres ask to see it at reception; confirm with your provider whether a printed copy is required.
Photo ID matching your booking name exactly
Usually a current passport or photocard driving licence. The name must match the name on your exam booking - if you have recently changed name or the booking has a typo, contact your provider before exam day. needs_review: confirm the exact list of accepted ID documents with your provider.
Any second form of identification the centre requires
Some venues ask for a second document or proof of address. needs_review: confirm with your provider whether a second ID is needed - do not assume it is not.
Calculator (and confirmation it is permitted)
Module 1 is largely regulatory, but check before the day whether a basic non-programmable calculator is allowed and whether the on-screen/centre calculator is supplied. needs_review: confirm permitted equipment with your provider.
Pen and pencil
Useful for rough notes if the centre supplies paper or a laminated booklet. needs_review: confirm whether writing materials and rough paper are provided or must be requested.
Clear bottle of water
Typically allowed in a clear, label-free container. needs_review: confirm the venue's policy on drinks and food.
Travel plan, parking or remote-invigilation setup
For a test centre: route, parking, and public transport times, plus a backup plan. For remote invigilation: test your webcam, microphone, browser and internet connection, and check the room and desk requirements in advance.
Your summary sheets for last-minute review only
Use condensed notes on key syllabus areas (regulation, FCA principles and conduct rules, complaints and compensation, money laundering, data protection) while waiting - but nothing may be taken into the exam room.
A note of the exam format for your sitting
Number of questions, time allowed, and whether it is computer-based at a centre or remotely invigilated. needs_review: confirm format, duration and pass mark from your own booking details - these can change.
Sleep and food plan for the night before
A normal night's sleep and a proper meal are worth more than an extra hour of cramming. Avoid heavy late-night revision.
Arrival time written down
Aim to arrive with buffer time before your appointment slot. needs_review: confirm the required arrival time and late-arrival policy with your provider.
The provider's contact number
Save it in your phone in case of travel disruption, illness or a technical problem before the exam.
Plan the day
Re-read your booking confirmation: date, time, venue or remote session link, ID requirements and any candidate instructions. Resolve any name or ID mismatch now, not on the day.
Sit one final full mock under timed conditions, with no notes. Use the result to identify two or three weak syllabus areas rather than trying to re-learn everything.
Do targeted revision on those weak areas only. Stop introducing new material - consolidate what you already know.
Sort out logistics: travel route and times, parking, or (for remote invigilation) a quiet room, a suitable desk and a stable connection.
Light review of your condensed summary sheets - key definitions, regulator roles, conduct rules, complaints and compensation limits, money laundering stages and reporting, data protection principles. No new topics.
Pack your bag: ID, booking confirmation, permitted items, water, travel details. Put it by the door.
For remote invigilation, run the full system and room check again and clear your desk of anything not allowed.
Set two alarms, check the weather and travel status, and go to bed at a normal time. Avoid caffeine late in the evening.
Eat a proper breakfast, take your packed bag and leave with spare time. Arriving flustered costs marks.
Do one short skim of your summary sheets, then put them away. Avoid comparing notes with other candidates - it feeds anxiety and can introduce doubt about correct answers.
Follow the check-in process, present your ID, store phone and personal items as instructed, and listen carefully to the invigilator's briefing.
Read the on-screen instructions, check question count and time allowed, and note how the flag/review function works before you begin.
Work at a steady pace and keep an eye on the clock. Budget roughly the available time divided by the number of questions, leaving time to review.
Answer in two passes: do the questions you know first, and flag anything that needs more thought. Don't burn three minutes on one question.
Read each stem carefully for words like 'except', 'not', 'best' and 'first'. Eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing between the remaining ones.
Ensure every question has an answer before time runs out - an unanswered question cannot score. Review flagged items at the end, but only change an answer if you have a clear reason.
Technical fault, disruption, illness or an ID query: raise your hand or contact the invigilator/support line immediately and ask for the incident to be logged.
Rules to check
Bring photo ID whose name matches your exam booking exactly. If it does not - for example after a name change or a booking typo - contact your provider before exam day rather than turning up and hoping. Confirm the accepted ID types with your provider.
Phones, smart watches, notes, books and revision sheets must not be taken into the exam room. Switch devices off and store them as directed; an audible phone is usually treated as a conduct issue regardless of intent.
Follow all invigilator instructions, including seating, desk clearance and any room or identity checks for remote sittings. Failure to comply can lead to your result being withheld or voided.
No communication with other candidates during the exam, and no capturing or sharing question content afterwards. Sharing exam material is treated as malpractice.
Breaks: confirm your provider's policy in advance. If a break is permitted, check whether the clock stops or keeps running - do not assume.
Scoring: Module 1 is multiple choice with a pass mark set by the awarding body. needs_review: confirm the current pass mark, whether unanswered questions score zero, and whether there is any negative marking via your provider's candidate guidance.
Use only permitted equipment. If a calculator or writing materials are allowed, they are normally subject to inspection; unapproved devices may be removed.
Read the candidate instructions issued with your booking - they take precedence over any general advice, including this guide.