IFoA SP1 exam-day guide
IFoA SP1 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original, valid photo ID that matches the name on your exam booking (typically a passport or driving licence). Check the exact accepted forms and name-matching rules with the exam provider in advance; do not assume a photocopy or expired document will be accepted.
Exam admission/booking confirmation
Have your booking confirmation or candidate number available as directed by the provider. Follow the provider's instructions on whether a printed or electronic copy is required.
Approved calculator (with spare batteries)
Confirm the model is on the provider's permitted list. Bring spare batteries if your calculator uses them, and a second approved calculator if you own one. Practise on the exact model you will use.
Formula and statistical tables
Confirm with the provider which tables are supplied in the exam and which (if any) you may bring. If a specific printed copy is permitted, prepare it exactly as allowed; annotate only if the rules permit.
Pen, pencil, eraser and sharpener
Bring spares. For multiple-choice answer sheets, use the pencil grade specified by the provider. For written answers, use dark ink unless told otherwise.
Clear pencil case or pouch
Many centres require stationery to be in a transparent container. Check the provider's stationery rules; if unsure, use a clear pouch.
Printed exam-day instructions and venue details
Know your start time, arrival time, venue address, and the provider's late-arrival policy. For remote exams, know the platform, system check requirements, and support contact.
Water in a clear container and a small snack
Check the provider's rules on food and drink in the exam room; some centres restrict this. Keep it simple and quiet.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps with pacing if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches and any device with communication or storage capability are normally prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Completed final revision summary
Bring a one-page summary of formulas, assumptions, and common pitfalls to review in the final hour before the exam. Keep it concise and use it only outside the exam room.
Plan for travel and arrival
Check travel routes, parking, and public transport timetables. Aim to arrive well before the stated arrival time; late arrival rules vary and may result in refusal of entry. Confirm the provider's policy.
Remote-exam contingency (if applicable)
If sitting remotely, confirm the platform, camera/microphone requirements, room rules, and what to do if the connection fails. Have a phone available for the provider's support line, but keep it out of reach during the exam as instructed.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review your summary sheets for the core syllabus areas: actuarial mathematics, survival models, life insurance and annuities, pensions and other contingencies, and risk modelling. Work through a small number of timed past-paper or specimen questions under exam conditions to check pacing. Confirm your calculator works and that you have the approved model, spare batteries, and any permitted tables. Check the provider's exam-day instructions one final time for venue, start time, ID requirements, and permitted items. Plan meals, sleep, and travel so that the final 48 hours are low-stress.
Do a light review only: key formulas, assumptions, and common traps (for example, timing of cash flows, survival model conventions, and the difference between expected and actual values). Prepare your bag with ID, confirmation, calculator, stationery, and permitted tables. Set out clothes and travel details. Avoid intensive practice questions that could dent confidence. Get a full night's sleep; do not study late into the night. If sitting remotely, run the provider's system check and prepare your exam room.
Eat a normal meal and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Review your one-page summary for 20–30 minutes, then put it away. Follow the provider's check-in process, present your ID, and store prohibited items as instructed. Take a few slow breaths and remind yourself of your pacing plan: for example, allocate time per question and leave time to check. If remote, start the check-in early and keep the support contact ready.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and marks. Do a quick scan and start with questions you can answer confidently, but do not spend too long on any one item. Show your working for written answers; method marks may be available even if the final number is wrong. Keep an eye on the clock and stick to your time allocation. If a question stalls you, move on and return later. For multiple-choice questions, answer every item; there is normally no penalty for guessing, but confirm the scoring rules with the provider. Leave the final few minutes to check that all answers are recorded and that units and assumptions are stated.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID required by the provider and ensure the name matches your booking. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day; do not rely on a photocopy or an expired document.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted items. Calculators must be from the approved list, and smartwatches, phones, and other electronic devices are normally prohibited in the exam room. If in doubt about an item, leave it at home or confirm with the provider.
Arrive by the stated arrival time. Late-arrival policies vary and may result in refused entry or reduced time; confirm the exact rule with the provider and plan your journey accordingly.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam, and leaving the room may be escorted or may end your exam. Check the provider's policy on comfort breaks and medical needs in advance.
Communication with other candidates during the exam is prohibited. Do not share materials, talk, or attempt to view another candidate's work. Follow invigilator instructions at all times.
For written answers, show your working and state assumptions clearly. Marks may be awarded for method even where the final answer is incorrect, but this depends on the marking scheme; confirm the scoring approach with the provider if unsure.
For multiple-choice questions, attempt every question unless the provider states otherwise. Negative marking is not normally applied, but confirm the scoring rules with the provider.
If you believe there is an error in a question or a disruption occurs, raise it with the invigilator or provider through the stated process after the exam. Do not attempt to resolve it by discussing the question with others during the exam.