CII R01 exam-day guide
CII R01 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring the original, valid photo ID specified by your exam provider. The exact accepted documents (passport, driving licence, etc.) and name-match rules vary; confirm with the provider before test day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your booking reference, appointment time and test-centre address (or online-proctoring instructions) accessible on paper or offline. Do not rely on mobile signal at the venue.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is permitted, which models are allowed, and whether one is provided on screen. If a physical calculator is allowed, bring a basic non-programmable model and check it is not on any prohibited list.
Pen and pencil
Many centres supply these; some do not allow personal stationery. Confirm the provider's policy and bring only what is permitted, since rough notes may need to be handed in.
Printed formula or study notes
Check the provider's rules on bringing notes into the waiting area. Personal notes are normally not allowed at the desk; use them only before entry if the venue permits.
Know the syllabus structure and timing
Confirm the current R01 assessment format, number of questions, duration and pass mark with CII or your provider. Do not assume older formats still apply.
Travel and arrival plan
Plan to arrive with a buffer before your appointment slot. Late arrival can mean refused entry or a lost fee; confirm the provider's cut-off time.
Personal items plan
Most test centres require phones, watches and bags to be stored in a locker or left outside the room. Confirm what storage is available and leave valuables at home.
Online-proctoring setup (if applicable)
If sitting remotely, confirm system requirements, camera and microphone checks, room rules and the identity-verification process with the provider in advance. needs_review
Medical or access arrangements
If you have approved extra time or other adjustments, bring the confirmation. Arrangements are usually fixed in advance and cannot be added on the day; confirm with the provider.
Water and a light snack for before the test
Check whether food and drink are allowed in the test room; often they are not. Use them only in the waiting area if permitted.
Review key R01 calculation conventions
Before the exam, refresh the conventions you will apply under time pressure: tax wrappers, reliefs and allowances, and the arithmetic steps for income tax, CGT and IHT. Confirm current rates and thresholds with official CII or HMRC sources.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Work through condensed notes and a small number of timed practice questions, focusing on the areas where you lose marks. Rehearse the calculation steps you will need, and confirm your appointment details, ID and travel plan. Confirm any calculator or stationery rules with the provider.
Do a light review only, then stop. Prepare your ID, confirmation and permitted items in one place. Check the venue or remote-setup requirements again. Get a normal night's sleep rather than cramming; fatigue costs more marks than one extra topic gains.
Eat and hydrate normally. Leave early enough to arrive with a buffer. Avoid last-minute cramming of new facts, which can unsettle established knowledge. At the venue, follow check-in and storage instructions exactly.
Read the instructions and note the time available. Answer the questions you know first, flag uncertain ones and return to them. For calculations, write the steps so you can check them. Watch for questions asking for the 'most appropriate' action, not just a true statement. Keep an eye on the clock and leave time to review flagged items and ensure nothing is left blank unless the provider penalises incorrect answers (confirm the scoring rule).
Rules to check
Bring the exact original photo ID required by the provider. Photocopies, expired documents and name mismatches are commonly refused; confirm the accepted ID list with the provider.
Arrive by the provider's stated cut-off. Late candidates may be refused entry or lose their fee; confirm the cut-off and any rebooking policy.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the test room. Phones, smart watches, notes and personal calculators are typically prohibited or must be stored; confirm what is allowed.
Follow all invigilator and proctor instructions. Suspected misconduct or unauthorised items can lead to invalidation; the provider's misconduct policy governs the outcome.
Breaks are usually limited or not permitted during the test. Confirm the provider's rules in advance, especially if you have approved access arrangements.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the awarding body. Confirm the current pass mark, question format and whether incorrect answers are penalised before test day.
If you feel unwell or have an issue during the test, raise it immediately with the invigilator or proctor rather than after the event; remedies are usually time-limited.
Keep your confirmation and any special-arrangement approval with you. If there is a dispute about your booking or adjustments, this is the evidence the provider will ask for.