CIMA exam-day guide
CIMA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original photo ID
Bring an original, unexpired government-issued photo ID with your signature (passport or national driving licence in most countries). The name on it must match your CIMA booking exactly - if it doesn't, contact CIMA before exam day, not on the day. Photocopies, expired documents and digital copies are not accepted.
Appointment confirmation and booking reference
Note your appointment time, test centre address (or your online session details) and the time zone. Keep the confirmation accessible until check-in, then stow it with your personal items. Confirm the accepted ID list and arrival requirements in your appointment email.
Known exam format and duration
Objective Tests are computer-based and time-limited (typically 90 minutes); Case Studies are longer, written-answer exams built around pre-seen material released before the exam window. Check the exact duration and structure for your specific exam on the CIMA site so your pacing plan is right.
Online candidates: passed system test and backup plan
Run the OnVUE system test on the same device, network and room you will use, at least 48 hours ahead. Have a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi, a charged laptop, webcam and microphone, and a backup (phone hotspot or second device) in case of failure.
A quiet, private, well-lit room (online exams)
Closed door, clear desk, nothing on the walls within camera view, no other people entering. Tell household members your exact slot. Be ready for a room scan and to show your ID to the proctor on camera.
Calculator and note-taking materials - check what is allowed
An on-screen calculator is normally available inside the exam software, and test centres typically supply a laminated note board and pen. Whether a physical calculator or your own paper/whiteboard is permitted varies by delivery method (test centre vs online) - confirm the current rule with CIMA/Pearson VUE before the day rather than assuming.
Clear water (only if permitted)
A clear container of water is often allowed in the test room, but rules differ by centre and delivery mode. Confirm in advance and keep any snack in your locker for afterwards - there is normally no scheduled break in an Objective Test.
Travel plan and early arrival
Know the route, parking, and building/room number, and build in a buffer for transport delays. Aim to arrive well before your appointment time (commonly around 30 minutes); candidates who arrive late may be refused entry and lose the fee. Confirm the recommended arrival time in your booking.
One-page condensed revision sheet (to read, not to take in)
A single page of formulas, ratios and framework triggers for your exam. Read it in the car or lobby, then put it away - bringing notes into the test room is a conduct breach.
Pre-seen analysis (Case Study exams only)
Your own annotated notes on the pre-seen material: industry issues, the entity's strategy, and likely calculations. Confirm the pre-seen release date and which version applies to your exam window.
Accessibility or extra-time arrangements already approved
If you need adjustments, they must be requested and approved in advance - they cannot be arranged on the day. Bring any approval confirmation with you.
Rest plan: alarms and a realistic bedtime
Set two alarms and plan to sleep at your normal time. Fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of revision the night before.
Plan the day
Verify your booking, start time and venue (or online session), check that your ID is unexpired and the name matches, and run the system test if you are sitting online. Fix any problem with CIMA now - not on exam day.
Do one full timed mock under exam conditions at the same time of day as your real slot. Mark it, then write a short list of your three weakest topics - that list drives the rest of your revision.
Stop learning new material. Switch to active recall: formula sheets, ratio definitions, framework triggers, and (for Case Study) your pre-seen analysis and a practised answer structure for each section.
Pack ID and confirmation, plan the route or clear your desk and room for an online sitting, charge devices, and confirm your start time in your local time zone. Do light revision only, eat properly, and go to bed at your normal time.
Set two alarms. No cramming past bedtime, no new topics, no doom-scrolling forums about the exam.
Eat a proper meal, keep caffeine at your normal level, read your one-page sheet once, and leave with a generous buffer. For online exams, log in early for check-in, ID verification and the room scan.
Have your ID ready, use the locker for phone, watch, notes and food, and use the toilet before you go in. Complete the on-screen tutorial and read the instructions before you start the clock.
Check how many items/questions the exam contains and divide your time to give yourself roughly a 10-minute review buffer at the end. Immediately write down any formulas you are afraid of forgetting on the note board.
Objective Test: keep to your per-question budget, flag anything slow, never leave a question unanswered (there is no penalty for guessing), and use the review screen at the end to clear all flags. Case Study: before writing, spend a few minutes allocating minutes per section and per requirement, then hold to that allocation - an unfinished section scores nothing.
Check for unanswered items or empty requirement boxes, confirm you have addressed every verb in the question (calculate/explain/evaluate), and submit with time to spare rather than at the buzzer.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid ID that matches your booking name exactly. If your name differs for any reason, resolve it with CIMA beforehand; a mismatch at the desk can mean being turned away with no refund.
Nothing unauthorised in the test room: phone off and in the locker, no smart watch, no notes, no study material, no second screen. Possession alone, even unused, can invalidate your result.
Objective Tests have no scheduled break - plan to stay seated for the full duration. If you leave the room unannounced, you may not be readmitted, so use the washroom before you start.
For online exams, stay in camera view, keep the desk clear, do not talk to anyone, and do not let anyone enter the room. Follow the proctor's instructions immediately; if you are disconnected, reconnect and contact the proctor rather than continuing unsupervised.
Scoring is by CIMA's own pass standard for that exam - Objective Tests are reported as a provisional outcome on screen and are confirmed formally afterwards, while Case Study results are released on a published date. Treat the on-screen message as provisional and confirm both the pass standard and result timing with the provider.
Misconduct - impersonation, communication with others, using prohibited materials - can lead to cancellation of the result and further sanctions under CIMA's exam regulations. If something goes wrong during the exam (technical fault, interruption), report it to the invigilator/proctor and to CIMA immediately rather than after results day.
Rescheduling, cancellation deadlines and any fees are set by the provider and change over time. Check your booking terms and confirm with CIMA/Pearson VUE before acting - do not rely on second-hand information.