NZ CFS L5 General Insurance exam-day guide
NZ CFS L5 General Insurance · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (needs_review)
Bring original, current photo ID accepted by your provider - commonly a passport or NZ driver licence. The name must match your registration exactly. Confirm accepted ID forms and whether a digital licence is acceptable with the provider.
Exam admission/confirmation
Bring or have available your exam confirmation email, admission letter, candidate number, and any provider-specific instructions. Check the start time, venue or online platform, and reporting time.
Provider login and tech check (needs_review)
For an online or remote-proctored exam, confirm the platform, browser, webcam/microphone requirements, and system check. Have your username/password and a backup internet option ready. Confirm all technical requirements with the provider.
Calculator (needs_review)
Bring a silent, non-programmable calculator if permitted. Confirm the allowed model and whether calculators are supplied or prohibited. Clear memory and remove the cover before entering.
Pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener
Bring at least two working pens and a pencil for rough work if paper-based. For computer-based exams, confirm whether rough paper and writing tools are provided.
Watch (needs_review)
A simple analogue or non-smart digital watch can help you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible. Smart watches are normally prohibited. Confirm the provider’s watch rules.
Open-book materials (needs_review)
Confirm whether the exam is open book or closed book. If open book, bring only permitted materials - for example, your own summary notes or specified standards - and check whether tabs, loose pages, or electronic notes are allowed.
Clear water bottle (needs_review)
If permitted, bring a clear bottle with labels removed. Confirm the venue’s food and drink rules; some centres restrict drinks at the desk.
Bag and phone storage plan
Know where you will leave your bag and phone. Most exams require phones to be switched off and stored away from the desk. Do not rely on using your phone as a clock or calculator.
Travel and arrival plan
Plan your route, parking, or public transport and aim to arrive with time to spare. For online exams, sit in a quiet, well-lit room with a stable desk and no interruptions.
Glasses, medication, and personal needs
Bring glasses if you need them for reading a screen or paper, and any medication you may need. Confirm break and access rules with the provider in advance if you have a health or accessibility need.
Plan the day
Confirm the exam format, duration, venue or online platform, reporting time, and ID requirements with your provider. Download and read the exam regulations. Check that your photo ID is current and the name matches your registration. Build a one-page revision sheet of key general insurance terms, principles, and calculation steps if permitted, and confirm whether notes are allowed.
Do targeted revision rather than re-reading everything: practise short-answer structure, definitions, and calculations for indemnity, premiums, excesses, and claims examples. Confirm which calculator is permitted and practise with that model. Protect your sleep schedule so you are not cramming the night before.
Pack your bag: ID, admission confirmation, pens, calculator, permitted notes, water, and any provider-approved items. For an online exam, run a full system test, charge your device, test your internet and webcam, and identify a backup connection. Reconfirm the start time and travel route. Do a light review only, then stop early and sleep.
Eat a normal meal and arrive early - aim for the provider’s recommended reporting time, not the exact start time. Switch your phone off and store it as directed. Keep your ID and admission confirmation accessible. Read the instructions carefully, check the total number of questions and marks, and note the start and finish times.
Scan the whole paper or exam interface before answering. Allocate time according to marks, not question order. Answer the questions you know first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them. For calculations, show your working if marks are available and check units and rounding.
Pace yourself against the clock and leave time to review flagged questions. If a question is ambiguous, answer what is asked and move on; do not spend too long on one item. For online exams, watch for autosave or submission prompts and do not close the browser until you have confirmation.
Check that every question has an answer, especially multiple-choice items. Review flagged questions and any calculation answers. Confirm your name/candidate number if required and submit according to the provider’s instructions.
Rules to check
Bring original, current photo ID and ensure your name matches your registration. Confirm accepted ID forms with the provider before exam day; if you arrive without acceptable ID, you may be refused entry.
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed. Do not keep a phone on your desk or use it as a clock or calculator unless the provider explicitly permits it.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Raise your hand or use the provider’s approved chat/help function if you need assistance, and follow invigilator or proctor instructions immediately.
Use only authorised materials. Confirm whether the exam is open book or closed book, which calculator is permitted, and whether rough paper, notes, or textbooks are allowed. Unauthorised materials may be removed and reported.
Breaks are usually only at permitted times and may not stop the exam clock. Confirm break rules in advance. If you need to leave the room, follow the provider’s sign-out and supervision process.
Academic integrity applies: do not copy, share, photograph, or reproduce exam content, and do not collude with others. Misconduct can lead to voided results and further action by the provider.
Scoring and results are set by the provider. Confirm the pass mark, result timeline, and resit or appeal policy with your training provider rather than relying on general assumptions.
If you have a disability, health need, or emergency on the day, tell the invigilator or provider as soon as possible. Ask in advance about approved adjustments and evidence requirements.