NCFM Technical Analysis exam-day guide
NCFM Technical Analysis · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required, since remote-proctoring and test-centre rules can differ.
Admission or confirmation document
Carry the appointment confirmation or admit card the provider issues, printed or saved offline on your phone. Check whether the provider requires a printed copy; if unsure, confirm with the provider.
Know your login and candidate credentials
For remote delivery, verify the username, password, and any registration code work in advance. Write them down in case the browser session resets.
Test the remote-proctoring setup if applicable
Run the provider's system check on the same computer and network you will use. Verify webcam, microphone, browser version, and bandwidth. Confirm with the provider whether remote proctoring is offered for this exam.
Quiet, private room and stable internet
If testing remotely, arrange a closed room with a door, a clear desk, and a wired or reliable connection. Have a backup connection plan such as a mobile hotspot.
Permitted calculator and stationery
Technical analysis questions may involve ratios, moving-average arithmetic, or indicator formulas. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are allowed and whether scratch paper and pen are provided or prohibited.
Review the official syllabus and weighting
Download the current NISM or NCFM curriculum document for this series from the official body's site and confirm the module name, number of questions, duration, and pass mark. Do not rely on second-hand summaries.
Refresh core formulas and chart conventions
Prepare a one-page revision sheet covering trend, support and resistance, chart patterns, moving averages, RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, volume analysis, and candlestick basics. Confirm the exact syllabus scope with the provider before spending time on out-of-scope topics.
Plan travel and arrival buffer
For a physical test centre, arrive well before the reporting time and account for security checks. Confirm the reporting time and late-entry policy with the provider.
Watch, water, and light snack for the day
Bring these for before or after the test. Confirm with the provider whether food, drink, or a watch is allowed inside the testing room, as many centres restrict them.
Know the reschedule and cancellation terms
Read the provider's policy on rescheduling, no-shows, and retakes before test day. Mark as needs_review and confirm with the provider, since fees and windows change.
Emergency contact and provider helpline number
Save the testing provider's support number so you can resolve login, ID, or scheduling problems quickly on the day.
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment time, mode (test centre or remote), and address or link. Re-read the official syllabus and note the topic weightings so you can prioritise revision. Take one full-length timed mock under exam conditions and review every wrong answer for the underlying concept rather than memorising the question.
Consolidate rather than expand. Rebuild your formula sheet from memory, then check it: trend definitions, reversal and continuation patterns, Fibonacci retracement levels, moving-average types, RSI overbought and oversold conventions, MACD components, Bollinger Band construction, and volume-price relationships. Revisit only weak areas identified by the mock.
Run the provider's system or equipment check if testing remotely, and confirm ID and admission-document requirements with the provider. Prepare clothing and items that comply with the stated rules. Stop heavy new-topic study; do light review of your formula sheet and common traps such as confusing leading with lagging indicators or misreading divergence.
Confirm travel route and reporting time, set two alarms, charge devices, and download any required software or documents for offline access. Pack ID, confirmation, calculator, and permitted stationery. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming new material, which tends to increase errors on applied questions.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early, and skim only your one-page formula sheet. At a test centre, follow staff instructions on lockers and prohibited items. For remote delivery, close other applications, keep your desk clear, and complete identity verification before the clock starts.
Read the instructions and note the number of questions and time allowed. Do a first pass answering confident questions, flag uncertain ones, and skip time-consuming calculations for later. Watch for absolute words such as always and never, and for questions asking which statement is NOT correct. If negative marking applies, confirm the rule with the provider and answer only where you can rule out options. Use remaining time to review flagged items and ensure no question is left blank unintentionally.
Note the topics you found hardest while memory is fresh, keep your score report, and check the provider's stated timeline for result declaration and certificate issuance. If a retake is needed, confirm the waiting period and fee with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring valid original photo identification matching your registration name; photocopies or expired documents are commonly rejected. Confirm the exact accepted ID forms with the provider.
Follow all instructions from test-centre staff and proctors. Prohibited items typically include phones, smartwatches, notes, and unauthorised calculators; confirm the specific list with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates or attempt to access external material during the test. Remote sessions may be recorded and reviewed, and misconduct can lead to cancellation.
Confirm with the provider in advance whether scheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops during them, and whether you may leave the room during an unscheduled break.
Confirm the scoring rule with the provider, including the number of questions, duration, pass mark, and whether wrong answers carry negative marking, before you decide how to guess.
Raise a hand or use the proctor chat immediately if you experience a technical failure; do not attempt to fix a remote session by restarting without proctor guidance, as this may void your attempt.
Keep your desk clear and your face visible if testing remotely, and avoid reading questions aloud or muttering, which proctors may flag.
Treat all exam content as confidential. Reproducing or sharing questions after the test may breach the provider's terms of use.