CSHK Part 1 MCQ exam-day guide
CSHK Part 1 MCQ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact form of identification your booking confirmation names. Name, spelling, and photo must match the registration record; a mismatch is the most common reason candidates are turned away. If you have recently changed your name, bring supporting documentation and confirm in advance with the provider which documents they accept.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have the confirmation email or letter available, printed or on your phone, including your candidate or registration number and the test centre address. Check the reporting time rather than the start time, since check-in usually closes before the exam begins.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted and whether a basic non-programmable calculator is supplied at the desk. If you bring your own, ensure the memory is cleared and the cover is removed. Do not assume a graphing or programmable model is allowed.
Writing materials as permitted
Many computer-based sittings supply an erasable booklet and pen, while paper sittings may require specific pens or pencils. Confirm with the provider what is provided and what you may bring, and avoid bringing your own loose paper.
Photograph of your ID and confirmation stored offline
Save a photo of your ID and your booking details in your phone's offline storage so you can resolve a check-in issue even without a signal. You will still need the physical ID where the provider requires it.
Travel plan and backup route
Plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time, and identify a backup route or an earlier train in case of disruption. Confirm the building entrance and floor in advance, as large test centres can be hard to navigate.
Personal items plan
Expect phones, smart watches, bags, and notes to be stored away from the desk or left outside the room. Confirm with the provider whether secure storage is available on site or whether you should travel light.
Break and refreshment plan
Check the published exam duration and whether breaks are scheduled or must be requested. Bring water and a light snack only if the provider allows them in the waiting area, and confirm any rules about leaving the room mid-test.
Review of permitted reference material
Most professional multiple-choice exams are closed book. Confirm with the provider whether any formula sheet, standard extract, or legislation list is supplied on screen or in print, and do not bring your own annotated copies unless explicitly permitted.
Access arrangements confirmed
If you require extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm that approval has been granted and that the centre has been notified. Bring any approval letter with you. This item needs review because arrangements vary by provider and centre.
Rest and logistics for the night before
Book accommodation near the centre if you are travelling far, set two alarms, and avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep. A rested candidate performs better on multi-part scenario questions than one who has memorised lists overnight.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the provider's candidate services number so you can call immediately if you are delayed, unwell, or have lost documents. Report problems before the reporting deadline rather than after, as late arrival policies are strict. Confirm the exact number with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics and switch to consolidation. Re-read your own summary notes, work through a timed set of practice questions under exam conditions, and review only the areas where you are consistently losing marks. Confirm your appointment details, the centre address, the reporting time, and the identification you will present. Check the provider's candidate handbook for the current rules on calculators, personal items, and breaks, and contact them if anything is unclear.
Do one full-length timed practice run at the same time of day as your real sitting so your body clock adapts. Mark it honestly, then spend the remaining time on the two or three weakest syllabus areas rather than re-reading everything. Write a one-page sheet of formulas, definitions, and decision rules you tend to forget, and plan to review only that sheet on the final morning.
Confirm your travel arrangements and check for engineering works or strikes. Pack your bag with identification, confirmation, approved calculator, and any permitted materials, and lay it out by the door. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do a light review of your one-page sheet in the early evening, then stop; further cramming at this stage tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water in moderation. Review your one-page summary sheet for no more than 20 to 30 minutes, focusing on formulas and decision rules rather than new content. Leave earlier than your plan requires, arrive at the centre with time to spare, and use the waiting period to settle rather than to quiz other candidates, whose answers may be wrong and will only unsettle you.
Present your identification and confirmation, follow the invigilator's instructions, and store all personal items as directed. Listen carefully to the instructions on how to use the testing software, how to flag questions for review, and how to submit. If you are entitled to access arrangements, confirm them with the invigilator before the test begins.
Read each question stem fully before looking at the options, and watch for qualifiers such as 'most likely', 'except', or 'best'. Answer every question, since there is normally no penalty for a wrong answer on multiple-choice papers, and flag uncertain items to revisit. Manage your time against the number of questions and the clock, leaving several minutes at the end to check that all questions are answered and flagged items are resolved. If a break is permitted, use it to stand and reset, and note the time you must return.
Note down any question topics you found difficult while they are fresh, as this guides further study if you need to resit or progress to the next part. Confirm with the provider how and when results are released and what the pass mark and any grade boundaries are, rather than relying on hearsay from other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring the identification specified in your booking confirmation and present it at check-in. The name on the ID must match your registration; if it does not, contact the provider before test day, as centres generally cannot admit candidates whose identity cannot be verified.
Arrive by the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Centres commonly refuse entry to candidates who arrive after the published cut-off, and fees are usually not refunded in that case. If you are delayed, call the provider immediately and follow their instruction; the exact late-arrival policy should be confirmed with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the testing room. Phones, smart watches, notes, and unauthorised calculators must be switched off and stored as directed. Possession of unauthorised material at the desk is typically treated as misconduct regardless of whether it was used.
Follow all invigilator instructions and do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Attempting to copy, share answers, or use another person's work is misconduct and can lead to cancellation of your result and further sanctions under the provider's disciplinary procedure.
Breaks are usually only available if scheduled in advance or approved as an access arrangement. If you leave the room, you will normally be escorted, the clock continues to run, and you may not take notes or materials with you. Confirm the break rules for your specific sitting with the provider.
Scoring is normally based on the number of correct answers, with no deduction for incorrect answers, so attempt every question. The pass mark and any scaled scoring are set by the provider; check the current candidate handbook for the mark you need rather than assuming a fixed percentage.
If you feel unwell or something goes wrong during the test, raise your hand and inform the invigilator immediately. Incidents are easier to resolve when reported at the time; requests for special consideration made afterwards usually require documentary evidence and must be submitted within the provider's deadline.
Keep your result and candidate details confidential where the provider requires it, and do not share live exam content with others. Reproducing or distributing test questions is prohibited and may breach the provider's terms and conditions.