CII IF5 exam-day guide
CII IF5 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm your test format, date, time and venue with the provider
IF5 (Insurance Law) is delivered by the CII. Before the day, re-check your exam entry on the CII website or your admission/confirmation email for the exact sitting time, whether you are sitting on paper or by remote invigilation, and the venue or platform joining instructions. Policies on remote invigilation, rescheduling and cancellation change, so confirm the current rules with the provider rather than relying on older guidance.
Photo identification that matches your registered name
Bring the original, current ID specified in your admission instructions - typically a passport or photocard driving licence. The name must match your exam entry exactly; if your name has changed since registration, contact the provider in advance. Confirm the accepted ID list with the provider, as rules differ between test centres and remote sittings.
Your admission details and candidate number
Print or save your confirmation email showing your candidate number, exam session and any centre or platform details. You may be asked to present it at check-in or to quote the number on answer materials.
Permitted stationery for a paper sitting
If sitting on paper, take black or blue pens (and a spare), a pencil, eraser and a small clear pencil case. Confirm with the provider whether any stationery is supplied and whether pencil cases must be transparent.
A basic calculator - only if the provider permits it
IF5 is largely legal and principles-based, but some calculation-adjacent questions can appear. Check the current permitted-equipment list for your exam before taking a calculator; do not assume it is allowed.
Nothing that could be treated as unauthorised material
Leave study notes, textbooks, smart watches, phones and any wearable technology out of the exam room. For remote sittings, clear your desk completely and keep your phone out of reach and switched off, as specified in the provider's remote-invigilation rules.
A reliable device, browser and internet connection for a remote sitting
If you are invigilated remotely, run any system or equipment check the provider offers well before the day, and have a backup plan (a phone number for provider support, an alternative device or connection). Confirm the current technical requirements with the provider.
A quiet, private room and acceptable surroundings for remote invigilation
Remote invigilation usually requires a private room, a clear desk, adequate lighting and no other people present, and may require a room scan. Confirm the exact environmental rules with the provider and check them the day before.
Plan your route and timings
For a test centre, confirm the address, parking or public transport options and how early you are required to arrive. For a remote sitting, plan to be logged in and ready before the scheduled start. Late arrival rules vary, so confirm the cut-off with the provider.
Know the exam structure before you sit
IF5 is assessed by a multiple-choice question paper (the CII's standard format for this unit is a set number of MCQs within a fixed time). Check the current number of questions, time allowed and pass mark in the unit specification on the provider's website, as these are subject to change.
Read the candidate instructions on conduct and results
Download and read the current exam regulations: what counts as malpractice, how results are issued and how to appeal. These are the authoritative rules for your sitting.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Spend the time on active recall of the syllabus areas you are weakest on: the core principles of insurance law, the regulatory framework, contract formation, insurable interest, disclosure and misrepresentation, warranties and conditions, indemnity and subrogation, and claims handling. Work through practice questions under timed conditions and review every wrong answer to find the underlying rule you missed.
Re-read your own summary notes and any flagged topics - for example the distinction between conditions and warranties, or the effect of the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act and the Insurance Act on remedies for misrepresentation and breach of terms. Confirm the current syllabus and any recent legal updates on the provider's website, because the law in this area has been reformed and older study material may be out of date.
Confirm logistics: venue or remote platform, start time, ID requirements and permitted equipment. Check the provider's website for any last-minute changes to your sitting.
Do a light review only - key definitions, the structure of the exam and question technique. Do not attempt a full mock the night before. Prepare your ID, admission details and permitted stationery in one place, and lay out clothes and travel essentials.
If remote, run the equipment and system check, test your webcam and microphone, and confirm your room meets the requirements. If at a centre, confirm travel times and set two alarms. Eat properly, avoid late-night cramming and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper meal, arrive or log in with time to spare, and avoid discussing content with other candidates. Re-read only your one-page summary of key principles - nothing new. Keep your phone switched off and stored away before you enter the room or join the session.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and time allowed. Work at a steady pace, answer every question (there is normally no penalty for a wrong answer in MCQ papers, but confirm this in the instructions), and flag uncertain questions to return to. Eliminate clearly wrong options first, then choose between the remainder. Watch for absolute words such as 'always' and 'never', and for questions asking for the exception or the least likely answer. Leave a few minutes to transfer or check answers and to ensure nothing is left blank.
Follow the provider's process for confirming your submission and note when results are expected. If you believe there was a technical or procedural problem, report it to the invigilator or provider support immediately and record the details.
Rules to check
Bring original photo identification matching your registered name; confirm the accepted forms with the provider before the day.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the exam room or within reach during a remote sitting - notes, textbooks, smart watches and phones are typically prohibited, and possession may be treated as malpractice.
Arrive or log in by the time specified in your admission instructions; late entry may be refused, so confirm the cut-off with the provider.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including any room scan, desk check or identity verification for remote sittings.
Breaks are generally not permitted during the exam unless the provider's rules allow them; confirm the position for your sitting, including any arrangements for candidates with approved access requirements.
Scoring is based on the number of correct answers against the pass mark set by the provider; confirm the current pass mark and result timeline in the unit specification, as these can change.
Any suspected irregularity may be investigated under the provider's malpractice procedures, so raise concerns through the official channel rather than discussing them with other candidates.
Results and any appeal or re-mark requests are handled under the provider's published procedures; check the current process and deadlines on the provider's website.