CIR exam-day guide
CIR · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID whose name exactly matches your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted for your delivery mode (test centre vs. online proctored), since online proctoring sometimes accepts a narrower list.
Confirmation / appointment email
Print or save the appointment confirmation with your test date, time, location or proctoring link, and any candidate ID number. You may be asked for it at check-in.
Second form of identification
Some providers ask for a secondary ID or a signature on file. Confirm with the provider whether a second ID is required; treat this as needs_review until verified.
Login and system check (online delivery)
If testing remotely, run the provider's system test in advance: camera, microphone, browser lock, and bandwidth. Do this at the same time of day as your appointment to catch peak-load issues. Confirm with the provider which browsers and operating systems are supported.
Quiet, cleared workspace
For remote testing, clear the desk of notes, phones, and second screens, and check that no one else will enter the room. Proctors commonly require a 360-degree room scan.
Permitted reference materials
Most professional exams are closed-book. Confirm with the provider whether any formula sheet, calculator, or reference list is supplied on screen or permitted physically; do not bring your own unless explicitly allowed.
Approved calculator (if allowed)
If a calculator is permitted, confirm the exact allowed models and whether it must be cleared of memory. Treat as needs_review until the provider's policy is verified.
Arrival buffer
Plan to arrive at the test centre or log in 30 minutes before your slot. Late arrivals may be refused entry or have time deducted; confirm the provider's cut-off policy.
Personal items plan
Expect to store bags, phones, and watches in a locker or away from the desk. Wear layers you can remove, since rooms vary in temperature and proctors may disallow hoodies or outerwear.
Water and a light snack for the break
If your exam has scheduled breaks, confirm whether food and drink are allowed at your seat or only in a designated area. Keep caffeine moderate so you are not leaving for the restroom mid-section.
Review your weak-area summary
Bring a one-page sheet of your own notes on the domains you scored lowest on in practice. Review it in the waiting area, then store it before entering.
Read the provider's candidate handbook
The handbook is the authoritative source for ID, conduct, break, and scoring rules. Read it within the final week and note anything ambiguous to confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Run one or two full-length timed practice sets under exam conditions, then spend the remaining time reviewing explanations for every missed question. Re-read the candidate handbook and confirm your appointment time, location or proctoring link, and ID requirements. Protect sleep: shift bedtime earlier rather than cramming late.
Do a light review of your own summary sheet only, no new practice exams. Pack your ID, confirmation email, and any permitted items the night before. Confirm travel time and backup transport for a test centre, or run the system check and clear your workspace for remote delivery. Set two alarms and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal and limit fluids so you are not distracted. Arrive or log in early with your buffer. Avoid last-minute discussion of questions with other candidates, which can undermine confidence and may breach conduct rules. Do a short breathing exercise before the timer starts.
Read the instructions and note how many sections, questions, and any scheduled breaks exist. Answer every question, flagging uncertain ones and returning only if time allows; unanswered items usually score as wrong. Watch the clock per section rather than in total. If the interface freezes or the proctor interrupts, stay calm, note the time, and follow the proctor's instructions, then confirm with the provider afterward about any lost time.
Rules to check
Bring original, unexpired photo ID matching your registration name exactly; photocopies and expired documents are normally refused. Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted.
Follow all proctor instructions on personal items, room scans, and screen sharing. Unauthorized materials, phones, or notes at your desk are typically treated as misconduct regardless of intent.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam or discuss live exam content afterward; most providers prohibit sharing questions. This also protects the integrity of your result.
Rules on breaks vary by exam and delivery mode. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or counted against your time, and whether you may leave the room.
Scoring is commonly reported on a scaled basis with a pass mark set in advance; raw question counts may not map directly to your score. Confirm with the provider how your result is reported and when it is released.
If you need an accommodation, such as extra time or a separate room, request it through the provider well before the appointment; on-the-day requests are usually not granted.
If technical problems or illness affect your attempt, ask the proctor or centre staff to document it immediately and contact the provider promptly about remedies; do not simply abandon the session.