IAI CFVE exam-day guide
IAI CFVE · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID document named in your registration record, with signature and photo, unexpired on test day. The name must match your registration. Do not assume a student card or expired passport will be accepted; confirm with the provider which ID types they accept and whether a secondary ID is required.
Exam appointment confirmation and login details
Have your confirmation email, candidate/eligibility number, and any portal username and password accessible. For a remote-proctored sitting, test the login on the same device and network you will use before test day. If you cannot find the confirmation, contact the provider rather than guessing.
Approved calculator or on-screen calculator knowledge
The IAI CFVE involves quantitative forensic work (damages, valuation, interest, discounting), so you will want a calculator. Confirm with the provider whether a physical calculator is permitted, which models are allowed, and whether an on-screen calculator is provided. Do not bring a programmable or graphing calculator unless it is explicitly approved.
Scratch paper and writing instrument policy
Check whether blank paper, a whiteboard, or an on-screen notepad is provided. For remote sittings, many providers require you to show blank paper to the camera before and after the exam and to destroy it afterward. Bring only what the provider allows; confirm the exact rule in advance.
Quiet, private, well-lit room (remote sittings)
If testing remotely, use a room with a closed door, no other people, a clear desk, and adequate lighting. Remove notes, phones, and second screens from the desk area. Confirm the provider's workspace and room-scan requirements, since these vary and violations can void a score.
Stable internet and a backup plan (remote sittings)
Use a wired or strong Wi-Fi connection, keep the device charged and plugged in, and know the provider's reconnect procedure. Have a phone nearby only if the provider permits it for technical support, and confirm that rule beforehand.
Read the provider's candidate handbook and exam-day rules
The handbook is the authoritative source for ID, permitted items, breaks, scoring, and misconduct rules. Read the current version, not a summary from a forum. Anything in this guide that conflicts with the handbook is superseded by the handbook.
Know the exam structure and time allocation
Confirm the number of questions, total time, and whether sections are separately timed. Plan a per-question pace and a checkpoint at the halfway mark so you can adjust. If the format is not published, ask the provider before test day.
Confirm break policy
Ask whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock runs during breaks, and whether you may leave the camera view. Scheduled versus unscheduled breaks are treated differently by many providers; do not assume.
Confirm scoring and results timeline
Ask how the exam is scored (scaled score versus percentage, pass mark, any section minimums) and when results are released. Do not rely on secondhand claims about the passing score.
Plan arrival or login with buffer time
Arrive at the test center or log in for a remote sitting well before the appointment, allowing time for check-in, ID verification, and a room scan. Late arrivals may be refused entry or lose the appointment fee; confirm the provider's cutoff.
Prepare for accommodations in advance if needed
If you need extra time or other accommodations, request them through the provider's formal process well before test day. Approval is usually required in advance and cannot be arranged on the morning of the exam.
Plan the day
Reread the candidate handbook and confirm logistics: appointment time and time zone, test center address or remote-check-in steps, ID type, and permitted items. Verify your device, camera, microphone, and internet if testing remotely. Do a final review focused on weak areas and formula recall rather than new topics. Protect sleep.
Do a light review of your own summary notes, key formulas, and the exam structure. Lay out your ID, confirmation, calculator, and any approved materials. Check the test center route and travel time or run a full remote-system check. Confirm the appointment has not changed. Stop studying early enough to sleep a full night; do not cram new material.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and arrive or log in early with buffer time. For a test center, bring only approved items and expect a locker for personal belongings. For a remote sitting, clear the desk, close the door, silence devices, and complete the room scan as instructed. Do a brief warm-up on a few easy practice items to settle in, not a full mock.
Read each question fully and note what is being asked before calculating. Answer the straightforward items first and flag time-consuming ones to revisit. Show or record your reasoning where the format allows partial credit. Watch the clock against your halfway checkpoint. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact the proctor or support immediately and note the time, rather than continuing and hoping it resolves. Use breaks only as permitted.
Note any technical incidents and report them to the provider promptly if they affected your sitting. Record the date results are expected and how they will be delivered. Rest before deciding on a retake; if you plan to retake, confirm the provider's waiting period and attempt limits.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID document specified in your registration and confirm with the provider which forms are accepted. Name mismatches or expired documents can bar entry and forfeit fees.
Bring only permitted items into the testing area. Phones, smart watches, notes, and unauthorized calculators are typically prohibited; confirm the list with the provider and store other belongings as instructed.
Follow all proctor instructions, including room scans, desk clearance, and identity checks for remote sittings. Do not communicate with anyone other than the proctor during the exam.
Do not reproduce, share, or discuss exam content. Most providers treat disclosure of questions as misconduct that can void results; confirm the confidentiality terms you agreed to.
Confirm the break policy with the provider before test day, including whether the clock runs during breaks and whether you may leave the camera view. Do not take unscheduled breaks unless the rules allow them.
Understand how the exam is scored and what the pass mark is by checking the provider's published information. Do not rely on unofficial claims about scoring or minimum section scores.
If a technical failure or interruption occurs, notify the proctor or support immediately and document the time and details. Waiting until after the exam may limit your options.
Request any accommodations through the provider's formal process well before the exam. Accommodations cannot usually be arranged on test day.