CIC Personal Lines exam-day guide
CIC Personal Lines · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name matches your registration exactly. If your registered name differs (for example, a maiden name or a shortened first name), contact the exam provider before test day to correct it - confirm with the provider which ID types they accept and whether a second piece is required.
Confirmation of your exam appointment
Have the confirmation email or booking reference accessible (printed or on your phone) showing date, time, location or online link, and your candidate number. Re-check the start time the day before; providers sometimes shift slots.
Know whether the exam is paper or computer-based
This changes what you may bring. Confirm with the provider whether the sitting is paper-based (bring pens/pencils if instructed) or computer-delivered (no stationery needed, scratch paper usually supplied).
Approved calculator (only if permitted)
Personal lines exams may include simple premium or deductible arithmetic. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are approved; many providers supply an on-screen or basic calculator instead.
Permitted reference material
Some personal lines exams are open-book with a specified statute or study text; others are closed-book. Confirm with the provider exactly which materials are allowed and in what format (paper only, no annotations, etc.).
Arrive early / log in early
For in-person sittings, aim to arrive 30 minutes before the start to allow for ID checks and seating. For remote proctored sittings, log in 15–30 minutes early to complete system checks. Confirm the provider's stated arrival window.
Review the exam format and pass mark
Know the number of questions, time limit, question style (multiple choice, case-based), and the passing score before you sit. These are set by the provider - confirm the current figures from your official candidate guide rather than relying on secondhand sources.
Personal comfort items that are allowed
Bring water and any medication you need, but confirm with the provider what may be taken into the exam room; phones, smart watches, and notes are almost always prohibited and must be stored.
A plan for the day
Confirm travel time, parking or transit, and a backup route. For remote exams, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection the day before and have a backup connection (mobile hotspot) ready.
Rest and a light meal
Sleep well the night before and eat something light. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material the morning of - review only summary notes and key definitions.
Plan the day
Switch from learning to consolidating. Re-read your summary sheets on core personal lines topics: policy structure and declarations, insuring agreements, conditions, exclusions, deductibles, coinsurance, and the standard homeowners and personal auto coverage forms. Do timed practice questions under exam conditions and review every wrong answer to find the underlying concept, not just the correct letter. Confirm your appointment details, ID, and any permitted materials with the provider. Stop studying new topics 48 hours out.
Do one light review pass over your weakest two or three areas and key definitions. Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, permitted calculator or reference material, water. Lay out clothes and confirm transport. For remote exams, run the full system and ID check once more. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming past your normal bedtime.
Eat a light breakfast and arrive or log in early. Do a five-minute calm review of high-level frameworks only - no new facts. At the venue or login screen, follow proctor instructions exactly, keep your ID visible, and silence and store your phone. Take a few slow breaths before the first question.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'EXCEPT', 'best', and 'most likely'. Answer the easy questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. Eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing. For calculation items, write the steps and check units. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last few minutes to confirm no question is blank - unanswered questions usually score as wrong. Use breaks only as the provider allows, and note the time.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo ID matching your registration; copies, expired documents, or name mismatches may bar entry. Confirm the provider's accepted ID list in advance.
Electronic devices - phones, smart watches, earbuds, and recording equipment - must be switched off and stored as instructed. Unauthorized devices in the exam room can lead to removal or score cancellation.
Only permitted materials may be used. If the exam is closed-book, notes, textbooks, and annotations are prohibited; if open-book, use only the specified items in the specified format.
Follow all proctor and invigilator instructions, including seating, screen sharing for remote exams, and identity verification. Refusal to comply may end your sitting.
Breaks are generally limited and may be timed; confirm with the provider whether leaving the room pauses the clock and whether you are supervised. Plan hydration and restroom visits around this.
Scoring is based on the number of correct answers against the provider's pass mark; there is usually no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question blank. Confirm the current pass mark and scoring method with the provider.
Any suspected misconduct - communicating with others, using unauthorized aids, or sharing exam content afterward - can result in invalidation and possible sanctions. Keep exam content confidential.
If technology fails during a remote exam, stop and contact the provider's support line immediately and note the time; do not attempt to restart or troubleshoot alone if instructions say otherwise.