IAI CFPH exam-day guide
IAI CFPH · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document you registered with (passport or national ID). The name must match your registration exactly. If your ID is expired or the name differs even slightly, contact the test provider before exam day - confirm with the provider whether a secondary document is accepted.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have the confirmation email or booking reference accessible on your phone and printed as backup. It contains your test centre address, start time, and candidate number, which you may be asked for at reception.
Know the venue and travel route
Do a route rehearsal or check the journey planner the day before. Identify the building entrance, which is often not the main reception, and note a fallback transport option in case of disruption.
Arrival time buffer
Plan to arrive well before the stated start time; a common convention is 30 minutes early for check-in and ID verification. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off after which late candidates are refused.
Permitted reference materials
The CFPH is an open-book-style professional exam for many candidates, but permitted materials and their format are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider which standards, notes, or printed documents you may bring and whether annotations and tabs are allowed.
Calculator and stationery policy
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is permitted, which models are allowed, and whether the provider supplies paper, pen, or a laminated booklet. Do not assume your usual calculator is accepted.
Personal items and storage
Expect phones, smart watches, bags, and notes to be stored away from the desk. Leave valuables at home; confirm with the provider whether lockers are available or items stay with you.
Refreshment and medication plan
Bring water in a clear container if the venue allows it, and any necessary medication. Check with the provider in advance about bringing medication into the test room and about access to water during the exam.
Comfort and timing aids
Wear layers, since room temperature varies, and bring a simple analogue watch if permitted so you can pace yourself without relying on the on-screen timer. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are allowed.
Access arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodations, these must be approved in advance. Confirm with the provider that your arrangement is recorded and what evidence you must bring.
Review the syllabus and command words
Reread the official syllabus and the exam format description so you know the number of questions, the time limit, and the pass standard. Confirm with the provider any detail the syllabus leaves unclear rather than relying on forum posts.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, charge your phone, prepare your ID and confirmation in one place, and avoid last-minute cramming that shortens sleep. Fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of revision.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Work through the syllabus section by section and mark topics where you cannot explain the concept aloud. Spend the remaining time on those gaps and on practising questions under timed conditions, reviewing every wrong answer to understand the underlying principle rather than memorising the answer.
Do one full timed mock under realistic conditions: no phone, no pauses, same time of day as the real exam. Afterwards, note your pacing - how many minutes per question you can afford and which question types slow you down. Adjust your strategy, for example flagging long calculation questions and returning to them.
Light review only: skim your own summary notes, formulas, and definitions. Confirm the venue, travel time, and start time, and lay out ID, confirmation, permitted materials, calculator, and clothing. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time; do not attempt an all-night revision session.
Eat a proper breakfast, avoid excessive caffeine, and leave with more time than the journey planner suggests. Do a final check that your ID and confirmation are with you. Arrive early, use the facilities, and avoid discussing difficult topics with other candidates, which tends to increase anxiety.
Follow the invigilator's instructions, present your ID, store prohibited items as directed, and listen carefully to the briefing on timing, breaks, and how to raise a hand for assistance. Ask now, not mid-exam, about anything unclear such as toilet breaks or what to do if the system freezes.
Read the instructions and note the total time and question count. Calculate your average time per question and write it down. Start with questions you can answer confidently to build momentum, and flag anything requiring long calculation or uncertain recall.
Work in passes: first answer all straightforward questions, then return to flagged ones. Watch the clock at set checkpoints rather than constantly. If a question stalls you for more than roughly twice the average time, mark your best answer, flag it, and move on.
Stop starting new long questions. Ensure every question has an answer, since unanswered items score nothing. Revisit flagged questions only where a quick check is possible, and be cautious about changing answers unless you have a clear reason.
Note which topics felt weak while the memory is fresh, in case you need to retake. Ask the invigilator about the results timeline and how results are issued. Do not attempt to record or remove exam content.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID you registered with and present it on request. If your ID is lost, expired, or shows a different name, contact the provider immediately; do not assume an alternative document will be accepted.
Arrive by the time stated in your confirmation. There is usually a cut-off after which admission is refused and fees are not refunded. Confirm with the provider the exact late-arrival policy and whether any allowance is made for documented emergencies.
Keep only permitted items at your desk. Phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes must be switched off and stored as directed; possession of a prohibited device during the exam can lead to invalidation regardless of intent.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks. Toilet breaks may be limited, escorted, or recorded, and the clock generally keeps running. Confirm with the provider the break rules and whether any extra time is granted.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not share, photograph, or reproduce exam content afterwards. Attempting to copy, coach, or receive assistance is misconduct and is reported.
If you believe a question is defective, note the question number if the system permits and continue. Raise it with the invigilator or the provider after the exam rather than arguing the point during the test.
Scoring and the pass standard are set by the provider; every question typically carries equal weight unless stated otherwise, so never leave a question unanswered. Confirm with the provider the current pass mark, result timeline, and retake rules.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, do so within the provider's notice period to avoid losing your fee. Confirm with the provider the deadline, any administrative charge, and how to request special consideration for illness or other circumstances.