NZX Adviser exam-day guide
NZX Adviser · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name you registered under. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID it accepts and whether a digital or expired version is acceptable before exam day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have the booking confirmation and any candidate or appointment number to hand, whether you are sitting remotely or at a test centre. Check the start time in the correct time zone and note the provider's arrival or login window.
Approved calculator
If the exam permits a calculator, confirm with the provider which models or functions are allowed and whether an on-screen calculator is supplied. Do not assume your usual financial calculator is permitted.
Permitted reference material
Most closed-book financial adviser exams allow no notes or formula sheets. Confirm with the provider whether any reference material or formula list is provided on screen, and do not bring your own unless explicitly allowed.
Scratch paper and writing implements
At a test centre, confirm what is supplied. For remote sittings, check whether blank paper and a pen are permitted and whether you must show them to the proctor at the start; some providers ban all physical materials.
Stable internet and a working device (remote sittings)
Test your camera, microphone, browser and connection ahead of time. Confirm with the provider the minimum system requirements and whether a wired connection or backup device is recommended.
Quiet, private room (remote sittings)
Clear the desk of everything except permitted items. Confirm with the provider the rules on other people entering the room, background noise, and whether the door must be visible or closed.
Knowledge of the exam structure and pass mark
Confirm with the provider the number of questions, time allowed, question format and the pass standard before you sit. Knowing the format lets you pace yourself rather than discovering it on the day.
Review of the syllabus and any published weighting
Check the current syllabus or exam blueprint on the provider's site so your final revision matches the domains actually assessed. Weightings can change between sittings.
Plan for timing and travel or login
Allow buffer time for traffic, parking, security checks or a proctor identity check. Arriving late or logging in late may forfeit your sitting under provider rules.
Personal arrangements
Sort out childcare, work cover and transport in advance. Confirm with the provider whether you can leave the room during the exam and whether breaks stop the clock.
Contact details for the provider
Save the provider's candidate support number or email so you can report a technical failure or illness promptly. Confirm with the provider the process for rescheduling or reporting an incident.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new material to consolidating. Re-read your own summary notes on the syllabus domains, work through practice questions under timed conditions, and review why you got each one wrong. Confirm your appointment details, ID requirements and, for remote sittings, run a full system check. Stop heavy study the evening before and protect your sleep.
Do a light review of key frameworks and formulas only, not new topics. Prepare your ID, confirmation, calculator and any permitted items in one place. Reconfirm the start time and time zone, check travel or login logistics, and read the provider's candidate rules once more. Eat normally and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat a proper meal and arrive or log in early with buffer time. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material, which tends to increase anxiety. At a test centre, follow staff instructions for ID and locker storage; for a remote sitting, complete the proctor check, close other applications and silence your phone.
Read the instructions and note the time allowed. Work through questions at a steady pace, answering the ones you know first and flagging difficult ones to return to if the platform allows. Read each question for qualifiers such as 'most appropriate' or 'least likely'. Leave time to check flagged questions and confirm your answers are submitted before the clock runs out.
Rules to check
Bring original photo identification in your registered name and present it when asked. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and what happens if your ID does not match your registration.
Follow all instructions from test centre staff or the remote proctor. Failure to comply can lead to your sitting being voided, so ask before doing anything you are unsure about.
Do not bring unauthorised materials into the exam room or use them during the sitting. This includes notes, phones, smart watches and any device not expressly permitted. Confirm with the provider what counts as unauthorised.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually restricted. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock keeps running, and what to do if you need to leave for an emergency.
Report technical failures or disturbances immediately to the proctor or provider support rather than trying to fix them silently. Confirm with the provider how incidents are recorded and whether they can lead to a reschedule.
Scoring and results handling are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider how the pass standard is applied, when results are released, and the process and deadline for any appeal or remark.
Academic integrity rules apply. Do not share, reproduce or discuss exam content with others, and confirm with the provider the confidentiality terms you agreed to when booking.