CIIG Diploma exam-day guide
CIIG Diploma · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the original government-issued photo ID you used to register. The name must match your registration exactly. If you have any doubt about which ID form is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your booking confirmation (email or printed copy) with the appointment time, date, and test centre or remote-proctoring link. Confirm the start time and arrival window with the provider, as these vary by centre.
Permitted reference materials
Check the current candidate handbook for whether any standards, formula sheets, or legislation extracts are supplied or permitted. Do not assume you may bring your own notes; confirm with the provider.
Approved calculator
If the exam includes numerical questions, bring a calculator only if the provider permits one, and confirm the approved models and whether the test centre supplies it. Programmable or stored-function calculators are commonly restricted.
Stationery and clear pencil case
Bring several pens or pencils and a clear case if the centre allows them. Many centres supply writing materials and prohibit personal stationery, so confirm the local rules.
Remote-proctoring setup (if sitting online)
Test your camera, microphone, browser, and internet connection in advance, and complete any required system check. Have a quiet, private room and a charged device. Follow the provider's remote-invigilation instructions exactly.
Travel and arrival plan
Plan to arrive with time to spare for ID checks and security. Confirm the centre's arrival window and late-arrival policy with the provider, as candidates arriving after the cut-off may be refused entry.
Personal items plan
Expect phones, watches, bags, and notes to be stored away or prohibited in the exam room. Confirm what the centre allows and where belongings can be left.
Break and refreshment expectations
Check whether breaks are scheduled, whether water is allowed at the desk, and what food or drink is permitted. Policies differ between centres and remote sittings; confirm with the provider.
Review the exam format and instructions
Re-read the current syllabus and candidate guidance for question types, section weighting, time allocation, and any negative-marking or section-pass rules. Do not rely on second-hand summaries.
Plan the day
Switch from new material to consolidation: review your summary notes, formula sheets, and flagged weak topics. Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions, then review errors rather than chasing new content. Confirm your appointment details, ID, and travel or remote-setup plan. Protect sleep and avoid late-night cramming that degrades recall.
Do a light review only: key definitions, frameworks, and calculation steps. Prepare your bag or remote workstation, check the ID and confirmation, and confirm the start time and location or link. Eat normally, hydrate, and aim for a full night's sleep. Avoid discussing the exam with others, which can increase anxiety and introduce misinformation.
Eat a proper meal, arrive early, and complete ID and security checks without rushing. For remote sittings, start the system check well before the start time. Read the on-screen or printed instructions carefully, note the time per question, and budget a few minutes at the end to review flagged items.
Answer easier questions first to secure marks, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Watch the clock against your per-section budget, and do not let one difficult question consume disproportionate time. If negative marking applies, confirm the rule before guessing. Use any scheduled breaks as instructed, and leave time to check that all answers are recorded before submission.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID used at registration and present it when asked. The name must match your booking; if it does not, contact the provider before exam day.
Follow all invigilator and proctor instructions. Unauthorised materials, phones, smart watches, or notes in the exam room are commonly treated as misconduct, and the provider's rules on this should be confirmed in advance.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not attempt to copy, record, or share questions. Exam content is confidential, and breaches can lead to invalidation of your result.
Confirm the break policy with the provider before the exam; if breaks are scheduled, leave and return as instructed and expect ID re-checks. Unsupervised breaks are usually not permitted.
Understand the scoring and pass rules before you sit: check the current syllabus for section weightings, any minimum section scores, and whether negative marking applies. Do not rely on unverified claims.
If you feel unwell or face an emergency during the exam, raise it with the invigilator or proctor immediately and follow the provider's procedure; do not simply leave without notifying staff.
Keep track of time yourself as well as relying on invigilator announcements, and ensure all answers are saved or transferred before the end of the session.
If you believe there was a technical or conduct issue affecting your sitting, note the details and contact the provider promptly using its published process; do not wait until results are released.