CMA Sri Lanka SL4 Corporate Governance & Ethics Exam exam-day guide
CMA Sri Lanka SL4 Corporate Governance & Ethics Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission notice / confirmation email
Print or download the admission document issued for your sitting and check the candidate number, venue or online link, and session time. If you have not received it, contact the provider immediately; do not assume the venue or link.
Valid photo ID matching your registration
Bring the original ID document in the name and form used at registration (typically national ID card or passport). A photocopy or expired document is usually refused. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted for your sitting.
Permitted calculator (if allowed for your paper)
Only bring a calculator if the exam regulations permit one, and use a non-programmable model. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are allowed and which models are banned before relying on this.
Stationery permitted by the regulations
Bring several pens (blue or black ink as specified), pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener. Confirm with the provider whether any stationery is supplied and whether pencil-only sections exist.
Clear water bottle and light snack for after the paper
Water in a clear container is normally allowed at the desk; snacks are usually kept outside the hall. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted in the exam room.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace sections if the hall clock is not visible. Smartwatches and any device with communication capability must be left outside.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Possession of a phone or smartwatch in the exam room, even switched off, can lead to misconduct proceedings. Check the provider's device policy and storage arrangements.
Know the venue route and arrival buffer
Rehearse the journey or test your online proctoring setup the day before. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time stated on your admission document; late arrivals may be refused entry.
Review the exam format and section timing
Confirm the number of questions, whether the paper is MCQ, case-based, or constructed response, and the total duration. Confirm with the provider if your admission document does not state this clearly.
Restate the ethics and governance framework from memory
Prepare a one-page mental map of core areas: board roles and duties, independence, committees, risk and internal control, related-party transactions, whistleblowing, and the code of ethics principles. This is study preparation, not an item to bring into the hall.
Check the provider's current exam regulations
Read the latest candidate regulations on conduct, permitted items, and misconduct. Rules change between sittings; confirm with the provider rather than relying on older guidance.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Rework your summary sheets on board duties, committee composition, and the ethics decision framework. Do two timed practice sets under exam conditions and mark them against the syllabus, noting recurring error types rather than isolated facts.
Confirm logistics: venue address or online proctoring requirements, reporting time, ID document, and permitted calculator. Check system requirements and do a practice login if the exam is remotely proctored. Confirm with the provider if anything on the admission document is unclear.
Do a light review of mnemonics and lists only. Prepare your bag with ID, admission document, pens, and permitted calculator. Set two alarms, plan the journey with a buffer, and sleep at your normal time. Avoid last-minute cramming of new topics.
Eat a normal meal, re-check the admission document and ID, and arrive early. At the venue, follow seating and device-storage instructions. If online, close all other applications, keep your desk clear, and complete identity checks before the start time.
Read the instructions and check the question count and time allocation. Note the mark value per question and decide your pacing. If negative marking applies, confirm it before answering; if unsure, ask the invigilator or check the instructions.
Work in passes: answer confident questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. For scenario questions, identify the stakeholder, the duty or principle at stake, and the best available action. For ethics questions, eliminate options that breach confidentiality, integrity, or objectivity before choosing.
Ensure every question has an answer if there is no penalty for guessing. Check that flagged items were revisited and that your answer sheet or on-screen selections match your intended answers. Do not change answers without a clear reason.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration; candidates without acceptable ID are normally not admitted and may forfeit the fee. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Phones, smartwatches, and other communication devices must be switched off and stored outside the exam room. Possession at the desk can trigger misconduct proceedings even if the device is unused.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, starting and stopping, and leaving the room. Unauthorised communication with other candidates during the exam is misconduct.
Breaks are generally not permitted during the exam; plan hydration and restroom visits before the start. Confirm with the provider whether any supervised break is allowed.
If the paper has negative marking, unanswered questions may score zero while wrong answers lose marks; confirm the scoring rule in the instructions before guessing.
Do not remove question papers, answer sheets, or rough work from the hall unless the regulations expressly allow it. Rough work is usually collected.
If you believe there is a printing error, a faulty device, or a disturbance, raise it with the invigilator immediately and note the time; do not wait until after the exam to report it.
Report any illness or emergency to the invigilator at once. Special consideration or a deferred sitting is governed by the provider's policy; confirm the procedure and deadlines with the provider rather than assuming an outcome.