KASNEB CPA Intermediate exam-day guide
KASNEB CPA Intermediate · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official identification document
Bring the original national ID or passport you used when registering. Check which ID types your exam centre accepts and whether a printed admission slip must be shown alongside it - confirm with the provider or your tuition centre before the exam day.
Printed admission/registration slip
Where the provider issues a slip or confirmation, print it and carry a copy. Verify whether it is mandatory or optional with the provider, as this can change per session.
Exam timetable and centre details
Know your paper, session date, reporting time, and exact centre address. Reconfirm the reporting time and venue with the provider, since these are set per session and per centre.
Writing instruments
Carry at least two blue or black ballpoint pens, a pencil, a sharpener, and an eraser. Confirm the permitted ink colour with the invigilator instructions for your session.
Non-programmable calculator
For quantitative papers, bring a basic non-programmable calculator if permitted. Confirm the provider's calculator policy for your specific paper before relying on it.
Clear pencil case or pouch
Use a transparent pouch so invigilators can inspect contents quickly; many centres restrict opaque cases. Confirm any bag restrictions with the provider.
Water and a light snack
Bring water in a clear bottle and a light snack for before or after the paper. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at the desk during the exam.
No phones or smart devices at the desk
Leave phones, smartwatches, and earbuds switched off and stored as directed. Confirm the centre's storage arrangements, as some centres do not provide secure storage.
Plan and rehearse the journey
Do a route check the day before and aim to arrive well before the reporting time to absorb registration and seating delays.
Rest and steady preparation
Avoid cramming new topics in the final hours; review summaries, formula sheets, and past-paper technique instead, and get a full night's sleep.
Read the rubric and instructions
On the paper, read the instructions, section weightings, and marking guidance before answering so you allocate time correctly.
Know the exam regulations
Read the provider's current exam regulations on conduct, misconduct, and permitted materials. Obtain the official version from the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
Plan the day
Confirm your centre, reporting time, and paper schedule with the provider or tuition centre. Print your admission slip and ID copies if required. Assemble everything in one bag.
Do a final syllabus sweep: list weak topics and spend remaining time on high-weight areas, formula recall, and past-paper question practice under timed conditions.
Rehearse the journey to the centre at the same time of day, note travel time and alternatives, and check the weather forecast.
Pack the bag with ID, slip, pens, pencil, calculator, and water. Lay out clothes. Stop heavy study in the evening; review summary notes only.
Set two alarms, sleep at a normal hour, and avoid last-minute all-nighters that blunt recall and reasoning speed.
Eat a proper breakfast, hydrate, leave with buffer time, and arrive early. Keep phones off and stored per centre instructions.
Present your ID and slip, follow seating directions, and check that your desk materials are complete before the start signal.
Read all instructions and requirements. Scan the whole paper, note section weightings, and budget minutes per question or section.
Answer the highest-value and strongest questions first. Show workings in computation questions, since method marks may be awarded. Watch the clock at set checkpoints.
Leave time to check that all required questions are attempted, transfer answers correctly, and verify candidate details on the answer booklet.
Rules to check
Carry the original identification document used at registration and present it on request; the exact accepted ID types and admission-slip requirements should be confirmed with the provider.
Follow all invigilator instructions on seating, timing, and materials. Items not expressly permitted should be left outside the exam room; confirm the permitted-materials list with the provider.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed. Unauthorised devices at the desk can be treated as misconduct.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not share or receive materials. Misconduct procedures and penalties are set by the provider - read the current regulations.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; confirm the provider's rules on supervised breaks and whether extra time is granted.
Answer the required number of questions and observe section rules exactly; confirm the marking scheme, pass mark, and any sectional minimums with the provider rather than assuming.
If you believe there is an error or ambiguity in the paper, note it clearly on your answer script and continue; report it to the invigilator after the exam. Do not rely on verbal clarification unless the invigilator confirms it is authorised.
Keep your answer booklet identifiable as instructed and hand in all materials before leaving; do not remove answer booklets or question papers unless explicitly permitted.