IFoA SP4 exam-day guide
IFoA SP4 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Candidate ID matching your registration
Bring the photo identification your booking confirmation specifies (typically a passport or driving licence). The exact accepted forms and name-matching rules are set by the exam provider, so confirm with the provider before exam day rather than assuming a particular document is accepted.
Booking confirmation and candidate number
Have your candidate/registration number and the session details to hand. These are usually needed if you must contact the invigilator or provider about a technical or administrative issue. Confirm with the provider which reference they require at check-in.
Approved calculator(s) with spare batteries
SP4 is a quantitative paper, so a working calculator is essential. Check the provider's permitted-calculator list and bring a spare or spare batteries. Do not rely on a phone, smartwatch, or any device with communication capability.
Formula and statistical tables permitted for the exam
The provider typically supplies or permits specified tables. Confirm with the provider whether tables are provided in the exam platform or whether you must bring your own printed copy, and which edition is allowed.
Pen, pencil, eraser and rough-paper allowance
For a remote or centre-based sitting, check what rough paper or on-screen scratchpad is permitted. Confirm with the provider whether blank paper is allowed and whether it must be shown or destroyed afterwards.
Exam platform tested in advance
If sitting remotely, install and test the required browser or lockdown software, webcam, microphone, and internet connection well before the day. Run any system check the provider offers. Confirm with the provider the exact platform and version required.
Quiet, well-lit room and backup power/internet plan
For remote sittings, arrange a private room, a charged laptop, and a backup plan such as a phone hotspot or alternative device. Check the provider's rules on permitted items and people in the room, as these vary.
Watch or clock visible during the exam
A simple watch helps you pace the paper if the platform clock is small. Confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are permitted in your sitting mode, as some remote-proctoring rules restrict them.
Read the full exam instructions and format
Know the number of questions, whether all are compulsory, the marks per question, and the time allocation. The current SP4 format and any word limits should be checked against the provider's syllabus and exam guidance.
Confirm start time, time zone, and joining window
Convert the published start time to your local time zone and note any check-in or joining window. Confirm with the provider, especially if you are sitting in a different time zone from the published schedule.
Review the provider's misconduct and permitted-materials rules
Read the current exam regulations on unauthorised materials, communication, and behaviour. These are set by the provider and can change between sessions, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on past experience.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: check your booking, ID, calculator, tables, and (if remote) run the provider's system test. Re-read the exam instructions and syllabus so you know the paper structure, marks, and any word limits. Spend the remaining study time on timed practice under exam conditions rather than new material, and review your own summary notes on core SP4 topics such as survival models, mortality projection, and model selection and communication.
Do a light review of formula sheets and common pitfalls, then stop intensive study. Prepare and lay out your ID, calculator, spare batteries, pens, and any permitted tables. Check the start time in your local time zone and set alarms. If remote, confirm the room, internet, and backup plan, and check for any provider email about the session. Aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat and hydrate normally, avoid cramming new topics, and log in or arrive early as the provider requires. Re-test your connection and camera if remote, close other applications, and silence devices. Have your ID and candidate number ready for check-in, and keep water and any permitted items within reach.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions, marks, and time available. Scan the whole paper and allocate time per question roughly in proportion to marks, leaving a buffer for review. Note any compulsory questions or word limits before you start writing.
Work to your time plan, showing method and assumptions clearly because SP4 rewards structured reasoning and communication as well as calculation. If a question stalls, note your approach and move on, returning later. Watch the clock at each quarter of the exam and reserve the final minutes to check you have answered every required part and submitted correctly.
Confirm the platform shows your submission was received, and keep any confirmation or reference. If a technical problem occurred, record what happened and contact the provider promptly using their stated process.
Rules to check
Bring only materials the provider permits for SP4, and check the current permitted-items list in advance. Unauthorised materials or devices can lead to misconduct proceedings, so confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Present the identification specified in your booking confirmation, with names matching your registration. Accepted ID forms and name-change procedures are set by the provider, so confirm with the provider before the day.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks. In many sittings there are no scheduled breaks and you may not leave and return at will; confirm with the provider what applies to your sitting mode before you rely on leaving the room.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the invigilator or proctor during the exam, and do not share or discuss paper content afterwards in breach of the provider's rules. Exact confidentiality and discussion rules should be confirmed with the provider.
If you experience a technical failure, stay calm, follow the provider's stated incident process, and document what happened. Do not attempt to restart or reconfigure in ways the provider prohibits; confirm the correct procedure with the provider in advance.
Understand how the paper is marked: show workings, state assumptions, and answer every required part, since marks are typically awarded for method and communication as well as final figures. The current mark allocation and any word limits should be checked against the provider's guidance.
Any request for special arrangements, extra time, or a deferred sitting must go through the provider's published process and deadlines. These are provider-specific, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming eligibility.