HKICPA QP Module 5 exam-day guide
HKICPA QP Module 5 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID matching your registration
Bring the original identification document (typically a passport or Hong Kong identity card) whose name matches your registration record exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever allowed - do not assume.
Admission / exam notification document
Print or download the admission form or exam notification issued by the provider. Confirm with the provider whether a printed hard copy is mandatory or whether an electronic version on your phone is accepted.
Approved calculator
Bring a calculator that meets the provider's rules (silent, non-programmable, non-printing). Confirm with the provider the exact permitted model list and whether the calculator must be shown to invigilators. Bring a spare battery or a second approved calculator if permitted.
Writing instruments and spares
Bring at least two black or blue ballpoint pens, a pencil, an eraser and a small ruler. Confirm with the provider whether answers must be written in a specific ink colour and whether correction fluid or tape is allowed.
Printed study notes / open-book materials
This module is commonly open-book. Confirm with the provider exactly what printed material is permitted, whether annotated notes and tabbed pages are allowed, and whether loose sheets are prohibited. Organise notes with a clear index so you can find content fast.
Watch (non-smart)
Bring a simple analogue or digital watch. Smart watches and phones are normally prohibited at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether a watch may be worn and whether wall clocks are visible in the venue.
Water and a light snack
Bring a clear bottle of water and a snack for before or after the paper. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk and whether the bottle must be unlabelled or transparent.
Venue and transport plan
Check the venue address and the route in advance, including public transport alternatives. Confirm with the provider the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time, and arrive with buffer.
Review the exam format and instructions
Re-read the provider's candidate handbook or instructions on paper structure, number of questions, choice requirements, time allocation and any word or mark guidance. Confirm with the provider if anything in the instructions is ambiguous.
Confirm permitted reference materials
If the provider allows a specific standards extract, tax legislation or formula sheet, confirm which edition and year is permitted. Do not bring material you are unsure about; ask the provider in advance.
Personal medication and comfort items
Bring any necessary medication and tell the invigilator if you need to keep it at your desk. Confirm with the provider in advance about any access arrangements or special needs approval.
Backup plan for equipment failure
If the exam is computer-based, confirm with the provider the venue's policy on technical failure, whether scratch paper is provided, and how to report a problem during the test. If paper-based, bring spare pens and a spare approved calculator.
Plan the day
Stop expanding your notes and switch to consolidation. Build or finalise a one-page index of your open-book materials by topic so you can locate content in seconds. Work through at least one full past-paper-style or mock question set under timed conditions, then mark it against the provider's published guidance. List the three to five topics where you lost the most marks and re-read only those areas. Confirm the venue, reporting time and transport route, and check that your ID and admission document are ready.
Confirm with the provider any outstanding items: permitted calculator models, whether printed notes are allowed, ID requirements, and any approved access arrangements. Re-read the candidate instructions on paper structure and scoring so you know how many questions to attempt and whether there is a choice. Pack your bag early: ID, admission document, approved calculator with spare battery, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, watch, water, and organised notes.
Do a light review only - read your index and the summaries of your weakest topics. Do not start new material. Rehearse your time allocation: decide in advance how many minutes per question and how much time to reserve for review. Prepare clothes and your bag by the door. Eat a normal meal, avoid late-night cramming, and aim for a full night's sleep. Set two alarms and check travel times again, including any expected disruptions.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with buffer time. Re-read only your index and a short list of common traps, not full chapters. At the venue, check the seating list, switch your phone off and stow it as instructed, and place your ID and admission document on the desk. Listen carefully to invigilator announcements about start time, breaks and collection procedures, and ask if anything is unclear.
Read the instructions and the whole paper or question list before writing. Note the marks per question and any compulsory sections or choice requirements. Draft a quick time plan on your answer booklet or scratch paper and stick to it. Start with a question you can answer confidently to settle nerves, but do not spend disproportionate time on any single question.
Watch the clock against your plan. For scenario or case-based questions, identify the requirement verbatim, apply the relevant standard or rule to the facts, and conclude explicitly - marks are usually awarded for application and conclusion, not just recall. Use headings and short paragraphs so the marker can find your points. If you get stuck, leave space, move on, and return later. Reserve the final portion of the time to check you have attempted every required question and that your numbering matches the answer booklet.
Stop writing when instructed, ensure your answer booklet and any materials are handed in as directed, and keep your admission document. Note down anything you want to follow up with the provider, such as a technical issue or a query about the paper, and raise it through the provider's stated channel promptly.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID whose name matches your registration and place it on the desk for inspection. Confirm with the provider which document types are accepted and what to do if your name differs from your registration record.
Arrive by the reporting time stated on your admission document; late arrivals may be admitted only at the invigilator's discretion and may not receive extra time. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off policy.
Follow all instructions on permitted materials. If the paper is open-book, use only the material the provider allows; if closed-book, leave notes and bags in the designated area. Confirm with the provider before the exam if you are unsure whether an item is permitted.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must be switched off and stowed as instructed. Possession of an unauthorised device at the desk may be treated as misconduct. Confirm with the provider the rules on storing devices.
Breaks are normally only as announced by the invigilator, and leaving the room may be escorted and may not extend your writing time. Confirm with the provider the policy on toilet breaks and whether time is added.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not copy, share or remove exam material. Suspected misconduct is typically reported and investigated under the provider's rules; confirm the exact procedure and your right to respond with the provider.
Marks are awarded according to the provider's published marking guidance, so address the requirement asked, show your workings or reasoning, and state a conclusion. Confirm with the provider how marks are allocated and whether there is negative marking (usually there is none).
If you believe there was a technical failure, disturbance or other issue affecting your performance, report it to the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's post-exam query or appeal channel. Confirm with the provider the deadline and process for raising such matters.