ACI Dealing Certificate exam-day guide
ACI Dealing Certificate · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired government-issued photo ID with signature (e.g., passport or national ID card). The exact accepted forms and name-match rules vary by test centre-confirm with the provider before travel.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your booking reference, test centre address, and arrival time accessible on paper or phone. Double-check the start time in local time zone; centres may require arrival 15–30 minutes early-confirm the specific cut-off with the provider.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider whether a basic calculator is permitted and whether it is supplied on-screen. If a physical calculator is allowed, use a non-programmable model with no case or instruction card.
Permitted stationery only
Bring only what the provider allows-typically pens/pencils and blank paper if provided by the centre. Do not bring notes, formula sheets, or smart devices into the test room; secure storage rules vary-confirm with the provider.
Personal items stored as instructed
Plan to leave bags, phones, watches, and study materials in a locker or designated area. Phones must be switched off, not just silent; confirm the centre's policy on what can be kept at your desk.
Formula and convention recall sheet (mental or permitted)
Revise key conventions the night before: day-count conventions, FX quoting (base/quote), forward points sign, money-market yield vs discount, and interest calculation conventions. Bring nothing written unless the provider explicitly permits it.
Timing plan
Know the number of questions and total time, then set a target pace per question. Leave a buffer for review; confirm the exact question count and duration with the provider, as these can change.
Accessibility or special arrangements confirmed
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm approval and logistics with the provider well before exam day. Do not assume arrangements are automatic.
Travel and arrival plan
Check the test centre location, transport disruptions, and parking. Aim to arrive early; late arrival may mean refused entry or forfeiture-confirm the provider's late-arrival policy.
Rest and hydration
Sleep adequately the night before and eat a normal meal. Confirm whether water or snacks are allowed in the test room; many centres restrict them to breaks.
Plan the day
Switch from broad study to targeted revision. Re-read your own summary of conventions, formulas, and definitions; work through a small set of practice calculations under timed conditions. Do not start new topics. Confirm your appointment details, ID validity, and test centre logistics. Stop heavy study by the evening before.
Do a light review of high-frequency calculation types (FX forwards, money-market yields, interest accrual, option payoffs, bond pricing basics) and key terminology. Prepare your ID, confirmation, and clothing for the next day. Avoid cramming new material. Set two alarms and plan to arrive early.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Leave phones and notes in storage as instructed. Use the last few minutes before entry for a calm mental checklist of conventions-not for learning new facts. Follow the invigilator's instructions for ID checks and seating.
Read each question fully and note what is being asked (which convention, which sign, which rounding). Do straightforward questions first and flag long calculations to return to. Show working where permitted; if not, track intermediate values carefully. Keep an eye on the clock against your pace target. If a question is ambiguous, choose the best answer and move on; do not leave blanks unless the provider penalises incorrect answers-confirm the scoring rule.
Rules to check
Bring the ID specified by the provider and ensure the name matches your registration exactly. If your ID name differs from your booking, contact the provider before exam day; do not assume it will be accepted.
Arrive at the time the provider requires. Late arrival may result in refused entry or a forfeited fee-confirm the late-arrival and rescheduling policy with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the test room: notes, formula sheets, smart watches, phones, or any device with communication or storage capability. Storage and permitted-item rules vary-confirm with the provider.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. Any irregularity, talking, or attempt to access prohibited items may lead to invalidation of your result; the provider's misconduct policy governs.
Breaks are typically limited and may not be permitted during the test. Confirm the break policy in advance, especially if you have a medical need or approved adjustment.
Scoring rules, including whether incorrect answers are penalised and the pass mark, are set by the provider. Confirm the current pass standard and result timeline; do not rely on second-hand information.
If you need to leave the room for any reason, raise your hand and wait for instruction. Unsupervised time away from the desk may be recorded and reviewed.
Report any technical or environmental problem immediately to the invigilator. Do not attempt to fix equipment yourself; the provider's incident procedure applies.