CMI (Other exams) exam-day guide
CMI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a second form is required; do not assume a photocopy or digital ID will be accepted.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Print or save offline the confirmation email showing your test date, time, location or online link, and any candidate or registration number. Screenshots work if the venue has no signal.
Know your test format and section order
Re-read the current syllabus or candidate handbook for your specific CMI module so you know how many questions or tasks to expect, whether it is computer-based or paper-based, and whether any section is timed separately. Confirm with the provider if the handbook is ambiguous.
Permitted calculator or reference materials
Check the current regulations on whether a calculator, formula sheet, or open-book reference is allowed, and which models are banned. needs_review: the permitted-aids list can change between exam windows, so verify it against the provider's latest candidate instructions rather than relying on older forum posts.
Arrival time and travel plan
Plan to arrive at the venue earlier than the stated reporting time to allow for security checks and ID verification. Confirm the required arrival margin and the venue's access rules with the provider or test centre in advance.
Test the online proctoring setup (if remote)
If sitting remotely, run the system and equipment check on the same machine and network you will use on the day, and test your webcam, microphone, and browser. Confirm with the provider which browsers and operating systems are supported.
Personal items plan
Expect that bags, phones, watches, and notes must be stored away from the desk. Confirm the venue's storage arrangements and prohibited-items list beforehand so you are not caught out at check-in.
Break and refreshment expectations
Find out in advance whether breaks are scheduled, whether they are timed, and whether you may leave the room. Confirm with the provider if the handbook does not state this clearly.
Scoring and results timeline
Know the pass mark or grading structure and when results are released for your module. If the current handbook does not state these, confirm with the provider.
Rest and logistics the night before
Protect sleep, set two alarms, and prepare clothes, ID, and confirmation in one place the evening before. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material.
Backup contact for the test centre
Save the test centre or provider contact number in case of delay, illness, or technical failure on the day, and know the procedure for reporting a problem.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating: review your own summary notes, the syllabus learning outcomes, and any formula or definition sheets. Do one or two timed practice sets under exam conditions to check pacing, then stop adding new topics. Confirm your appointment details, venue or remote-setup requirements, and permitted materials with the provider. Sort out travel, childcare, or work cover so the day itself is logistically simple.
Do a light review only, focusing on areas you have already studied and on common pitfalls rather than new material. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items; lay out clothes; check the venue route or run a final equipment test if remote. Confirm the reporting time once more. Eat normally, avoid alcohol and late caffeine, and go to bed at a sensible hour. If you feel unwell, check the provider's deferral or rescheduling policy immediately rather than waiting until the morning.
Eat a proper meal, arrive with time to spare, and avoid discussing content with other candidates in a way that raises anxiety. At check-in, present your ID and confirmation, follow staff or proctor instructions, and store personal items as directed. If remote, start the check-in process early and keep the provider's contact number to hand in case of a technical problem. Once seated, take a moment to settle before the timer starts.
Read the instructions and any section rules before starting. Work at a steady pace and keep an eye on the time; if a question is stalling you, flag it and move on, then return if time allows. Answer every question unless the format penalises wrong answers, and check whether that penalty applies before guessing. For constructed-response or case-based tasks, plan briefly before writing and address every part of the question. If something goes wrong, such as a technical failure or a disturbance, note the time and report it to the invigilator or proctor immediately and follow the provider's incident procedure.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo ID matching your registration name; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your name differs slightly from your registration record.
Follow all instructions from invigilators or remote proctors, including rules on prohibited items, desk space, and communication with others during the test.
Do not access unauthorised materials, devices, or other people during the test; treat any ambiguity about what is permitted as a reason to ask the provider beforehand rather than to improvise.
Confirm the break policy in advance: whether breaks are scheduled, timed, or supervised, and whether you may leave the testing room. If the handbook is unclear, ask the provider.
Understand the scoring rules for your module, including the pass mark and whether unanswered or incorrect answers are penalised, before you decide how to guess or skip.
Report any technical failure, disturbance, or suspected irregularity to the invigilator or proctor immediately and follow the provider's documented incident procedure; do not attempt to resolve it silently.
Check the provider's policy on late arrival, absence, illness, and deferral before exam day so you know your options if something goes wrong.
Do not share, record, or reproduce exam content afterwards; confirm the confidentiality terms in the candidate agreement you accepted at registration.