CIPS exam-day guide
CIPS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the same government-issued photo ID you used when booking. The name must match your registration record exactly, including middle names. If your ID name differs from your booking name (for example, after a name change), contact the test provider before exam day to confirm what supporting documentation they accept.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Print or save offline a copy of your booking confirmation showing the test centre address, start time, and any candidate or registration number. Do not rely on mobile signal at the venue; screenshots in your phone's photo gallery work without data.
Confirm test format and venue logistics
Verify whether your sitting is paper-based or computer-based, and whether it is at a test centre or remote-proctored. For a centre, check travel time, parking, and building access. For remote delivery, confirm the platform, system check requirements, and room rules with the provider in advance.
Know the paper structure and timing
Write down, on one page, the number of sections, the time allowed for each, and whether sections are timed separately or the whole paper runs on one clock. Confirm the exact structure for your unit with the provider or your study centre, since formats differ between CIPS units and levels.
Permitted items only
Bring only what the provider lists as permitted. A clear water bottle with the label removed is commonly allowed; check whether a calculator is permitted for your unit and, if so, which models are accepted. Leave smart watches, fitness bands, and loose notes at home or in storage.
Writing materials
For paper-based sittings, bring two or three black or blue pens and a pencil. For computer-based sittings, the centre normally supplies everything, but confirm whether you may bring your own pens for rough notes. Do not bring your own paper.
Plan arrival with a buffer
Aim to arrive well before the start time to allow for registration, ID checks, and settling in. Late arrival can mean refused entry or reduced time, so build in a margin for transport delays. Confirm the provider's cut-off for admission on the day.
Personal admin before you leave
Use the bathroom, eat something sustaining, and turn your phone off completely (not silent) before entering the test room. Store your phone and bag as instructed; unauthorised items at your desk can lead to invalidation.
Review your weak topics, not everything
In the last days, revise from your own summary sheets and past mistakes rather than rereading the whole syllabus. Focus on the topics you consistently get wrong and on the command words and structure expected in longer answers.
Prepare for answer technique
Rehearse a timing plan: roughly one minute per mark as a starting point, adjusted to your paper. Practise allocating a few minutes at the end to check that every question has an answer and that multi-part questions are fully addressed.
Contingency plan
Know what to do if you are ill or cannot attend. Most providers have a process for deferral, withdrawal, or special consideration with deadlines and evidence requirements. Check the terms with the provider before the exam, not after.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Work through your summary notes, definitions, and frameworks, and redo questions you previously got wrong. Draft one-page outlines for likely long-answer topics so you can recall structure under pressure. Confirm your venue, start time, and travel plan, and check the provider's list of permitted items. Protect your sleep: two solid nights before the exam matter more than a late-night cram.
Do a light review only, then stop. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pens, and permitted items. Lay out clothes and plan meals so the morning is decision-free. Charge your phone and any permitted device, and set two alarms. If your sitting is remote-proctored, run the system and equipment check now and clear your desk area. Avoid alcohol and heavy screen time, and go to bed at your normal time.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Leave with a buffer for delays. At the venue, complete registration, present your ID, and store your belongings as directed. Once seated, read the instructions on the front of the paper carefully, note the total time and any section timings, and take a few slow breaths before starting.
Scan the whole paper briefly if the format allows, noting which questions are compulsory and which offer a choice. Read each question's command word carefully: 'explain', 'describe', 'compare', and 'evaluate' demand different depth. Budget your time and write the plan in the margin or on the provided rough paper.
Answer the questions you are most confident about first if all questions are equally weighted and there is no penalty for order, but keep to your time budget per question. For long answers, state a point, then explain it, then link it to the procurement or supply context in the question. Use specific terminology accurately. If you get stuck, leave space and move on rather than burning time. Watch the clock at each quarter point.
Stop writing new content and check that every required question has an answer, that multi-part questions are fully addressed, and that your handwriting or typed answers are legible. Complete any candidate details the paper requires. Use remaining time to add a brief concluding point to unfinished answers rather than leaving them blank.
Note the topics that appeared and any question types that surprised you while they are fresh; this helps if you resit or progress to the next unit. Confirm with the provider when results are released and how to request a review of your result if needed.
Rules to check
Bring the identification the provider specifies, and make sure the name matches your registration. If it does not, resolve it with the provider before exam day; do not assume a bank card or staff pass will be accepted.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and proctors immediately. Talking, passing materials, or looking at another candidate's work is treated as misconduct and can lead to invalidation of your paper.
Keep only permitted items at your desk. Phones must be switched off and stored as directed; smart watches and wearable devices are normally prohibited. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask the provider beforehand rather than risking a breach.
Breaks are usually limited and may be supervised. Confirm the provider's policy on leaving the room during the test, as some sittings do not permit unsupervised breaks and time may not be paused.
Scoring is based on the marks available per question, so allocate effort in proportion to marks. Answer every compulsory question; a brief but relevant attempt usually earns more than a blank.
Show your working or reasoning where a question asks for it. Marks are often awarded for the quality and relevance of explanation, not only for a final conclusion.
If you feel unwell or a problem occurs during the test (equipment failure, disturbance, or a personal emergency), raise it with the invigilator or proctor immediately and ensure it is recorded, then follow up with the provider afterwards.
Do not discuss or share the content of the paper with others after the sitting. Confirm the provider's confidentiality rules and the process for querying results or requesting special consideration if something went wrong.