CII IF1 exam-day guide
CII IF1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring the original, in-date photo ID specified in your CII exam confirmation (commonly a passport or photocard driving licence). Check which forms are accepted and whether a signature is required - confirm with the provider.
Exam appointment confirmation
Print or download your booking confirmation showing your candidate number, exam unit (IF1), date, time and venue (or remote-invigilation link). Check the start time in your local time zone.
Confirmed venue/travel plan
For a test-centre sitting, know the address, parking and journey time, and aim to arrive well before your appointment. For remote invigilation, confirm the platform, log-in link and room requirements in advance.
Remote-invigilation tech check
If sitting remotely, test webcam, microphone, speakers, browser and internet connection on the same device you will use, and clear the desk and room of prohibited items as instructed - confirm the specific rules with the provider.
Exam regulations read
Read the current CII exam regulations and candidate instructions so you know what is permitted on the desk, what counts as misconduct, and how to raise a problem during the exam.
Timing and question-format plan
Know the format of IF1 (multiple-choice) and rehearse a pacing plan that leaves time to review flagged questions. Confirm the exact number of questions, duration and pass mark on your exam confirmation.
One-page summary sheet
Prepare a single-page summary of key definitions, regulatory bodies, duties and time limits to read in the final hours before the exam - leave it outside the exam room.
Calculator policy checked
Find out in advance whether a calculator is provided on screen or whether you may bring a basic non-programmable one; do not assume either way - confirm with the provider.
Water and a light snack for before the exam
Have water and something light beforehand; check the provider's rules on taking drinks into the exam room.
Backup plan for failures
For remote sittings, note the provider's contact number for technical problems and have a phone nearby (kept out of reach unless instructed) and a backup internet option such as a mobile hotspot.
Rest and alarm set
Set two alarms and plan a full night's sleep; avoid last-minute cramming of new material the night before.
Plan the day
Finish active revision on your weakest syllabus areas; do one or two timed practice sets under exam conditions and review every wrong answer against the syllabus, not just the answer key.
Confirm all logistics: appointment time, venue or remote link, ID validity, and any equipment requirements. Raise any queries with the provider now, not on the day.
Write your one-page summary sheet and decide what you will review in the final 24 hours - keep it short and definition/limit focused.
Do a light pass over your summary sheet and flagged weak points only. Stop active testing early enough to avoid fatigue.
Lay out ID, confirmation and any permitted items; check travel times or run a final full tech rehearsal for a remote sitting.
Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at a sensible hour. Set alarms.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate. Do a short 15-20 minute review of your summary sheet, then put it away.
Arrive at the centre (or log in remotely) with time to spare so you can settle, complete ID checks and read the instructions without rushing.
Read the instructions and on-screen navigation carefully before starting. Answer every question - there is generally no penalty for a wrong answer in CII multiple-choice exams, but confirm this on the day.
Work at a steady pace, roughly one minute per question, and use flag-and-move-on for anything that stalls you rather than losing time on one item.
In the last 10-15 minutes, return to flagged questions, check you have answered everything, and only change an answer if you have a clear reason.
Rules to check
Bring the exact original photo ID specified by the provider; a photocopy or an expired document is normally not accepted, and refusal of entry may result. Confirm accepted ID types with the provider.
Keep the desk clear: phones, smart watches, notes, textbooks and bags must be stored as directed (or out of the room for remote sittings). Unauthorised material is treated as misconduct.
Follow all invigilator and platform instructions, including identity verification, room scans and staying within camera view for remote sittings. Failure to comply can lead to your exam being voided.
Do not communicate with anyone during the exam and do not attempt to copy, screenshot or share question content; question material is confidential.
Check the provider's rules on breaks before the day. Many computer-based multiple-choice sittings allow no scheduled breaks, so plan hydration and timing accordingly - confirm with the provider.
Scoring is based on the number of correct answers against the pass mark set for IF1; confirm the current pass mark and any question-type variations on your exam confirmation rather than relying on hearsay.
If you experience a technical or personal problem during the exam, raise it immediately with the invigilator or platform support and note the details; problems reported only after the exam are harder to resolve.