QFA Pensions exam-day guide
QFA Pensions · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which specific documents (passport, driver's licence, national ID) are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your confirmation email or scheduling reference available, either printed or on your phone, so you can resolve any check-in discrepancy quickly.
Testing-provider account login
Know your username and password for the provider's platform in case you need to launch or resume the exam. Confirm with the provider whether password resets are permitted on test day.
Quiet, private, well-lit room (remote testing)
If testing remotely, use an enclosed room with a door, clear desk, and stable lighting. Confirm with the provider the specific room and desk requirements, including whether wall hangings or notes must be removed.
Reliable internet and power (remote testing)
Use a wired or strong connection and keep a charger plugged in. Confirm with the provider the minimum connection speed and the procedure if your connection drops mid-exam.
Computer and browser check
Run any system or equipment test the provider offers ahead of time and update your browser. Confirm with the provider which browsers and operating systems are supported.
Approved calculator
Pension calculations often involve time value of money, so you will likely need a calculator. Confirm with the provider which models are permitted and whether an on-screen calculator is provided, rather than assuming.
Scratch paper and writing instrument
If permitted, have blank paper and a pen or pencil ready for calculations. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper is allowed, how many sheets, and whether it must be shown and destroyed afterward.
Water and a light snack
Have these within reach for breaks between sections. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk during a remotely proctored exam.
Know your exam structure and timing
Review the number of questions, time limit, and whether sections are separately timed. Confirm with the provider the exact format, since timing rules affect how you pace yourself.
Understand the scoring and pass rule
Know the passing score and whether wrong answers are penalized. Confirm with the provider the current passing standard and retake policy, as these can change.
Backup plan for technical failure
Save the provider's support phone number and know their incident-reporting process. Confirm with the provider how a documented technical failure is handled regarding rescheduling or scoring.
Plan the day
Confirm all logistics: appointment time, time zone, location or remote-testing setup, and ID requirements. Re-read the provider's candidate handbook for conduct and permitted-items rules. Do light review of formula sheets and weak topics only; avoid cramming new material.
Take one short practice set under timed conditions to calibrate pacing, then stop. Protect sleep and normal meals. Prepare and lay out your ID, calculator, and any approved materials so nothing is left to chance.
Do a final equipment and room check if testing remotely, including internet, webcam, microphone, and power. Charge devices. Confirm your login works. Stop studying early, eat a normal meal, and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive or log in early per the provider's recommended check-in window. Do a brief warm-up of a few easy formulas, not hard problems, to settle nerves.
Read the instructions and do a quick scan to gauge pacing. Answer easier questions first if the platform allows navigation, flag uncertain items, and return to them. Watch the clock at defined checkpoints and keep scratch work labeled. If a technical issue occurs, note the time and contact the proctor or support immediately rather than troubleshooting silently.
Note anything unusual that happened for your records. Confirm with the provider when and how results are released and what the retake rules are.
Rules to check
Present original, valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your name differs.
Follow all proctor instructions and permitted-materials rules; using unauthorized materials or devices is typically treated as misconduct. Confirm with the provider the exact list of prohibited items.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the proctor during the exam, and do not let others enter the testing space if testing remotely.
Confirm with the provider in advance whether scheduled or unscheduled breaks are allowed, and what happens to the clock during a break, rather than assuming.
If you experience a technical failure, stop and contact the proctor or support immediately and document the incident; confirm with the provider how such events are resolved.
Understand the scoring rule before you sit: confirm with the provider whether unanswered questions count as wrong and whether there is any penalty for guessing.
Know the retake and rescheduling policy before test day, including any waiting period; confirm details with the provider.
Do not discuss or share exam content afterward; most providers prohibit disclosing question content, and confirm with the provider the specifics of any confidentiality agreement you accepted.