CISI Exam Day Checklist: What to Bring and How to Prepare

Table of Contents

• • The Final 24 Hours
• • The Mandatory Document Checklist
• - 1. Primary Identification
• - 2. Secondary Identification and Exceptions
• - 3. Exam Confirmation Email
• • What is Strictly Prohibited?
• • The “Exam-Room” Strategy
• - The “Brain Dump”
• - The Flagging System
• • Managing the Post-Exam Adrenaline

The Final 24 Hours

Whatever the study workload for your unit, the final day should be used to verify the booking and remove practical risks rather than add new material.

For many candidates, anxiety before a CISI qualification exam causes avoidable errors before they sit down at the computer. Test centres and remote invigilation both apply strict identity and permitted-material rules, so check the current regulations and confirmation letter rather than relying on an old provider checklist.

Use this practical checklist to reduce avoidable problems and arrive prepared for your CISI exam day.

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The Mandatory Document Checklist

Do not pack these items in the morning. Adrenaline and rushed mornings lead to forgotten wallets. Pack everything the night before.

1. Primary Identification

Your ID must be original, valid and included in the current CISI list for your delivery method and location. A passport is accepted; driving-licence and national-ID acceptance depends on the conditions in the regulations. For example, an identity card issued outside the EU is accepted for a test-centre sitting only in its issuing country.

• Check the exact list: Read the current CISI examination regulations.
• Match your registration: The name and identification details must match the candidate record and booking instructions.

2. Secondary Identification and Exceptions

A bank card is not standalone photo ID. For a test-centre sitting, however, the regulations require a valid signed credit or debit card as an additional signature document when an otherwise accepted ID lacks your signature. Remote driving licences must include a photograph and signature with information in English; the remote national-ID conditions also require information in English. Photocopies are not accepted. Contact CISI before exam day if your documents or booked name do not meet the applicable requirements.

3. Exam Confirmation Email

Keep the CISI or assessment-provider confirmation available. It contains the appointment time, current test-centre address or remote-invigilation instructions, plus any provider-specific system and calculator requirements.

Use the checklist for the delivery method shown on that confirmation:

Test-centre sitting	Remote-invigilation sitting
Confirm the venue, local start time and ID; MCQ regulations require arrival at least 30 minutes before the start.	Pass the required system check for every sitting on the same device and environment; begin registration and checks at least 15 minutes before the start.

If the delivery method or appointment changes, repeat the relevant checks. The current transfers and resits policy requires a system check before every individual remote exam, using the same device and environment as the sitting. Allow additional time where your confirmation requires it.

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What is Strictly Prohibited?

The current CISI regulations prohibit reference materials and personal digital or programmable equipment in MCQ exam rooms. Store belongings exactly as the test centre or remote invigilator instructs; a breach can cause the exam to be terminated and may trigger the candidate-sanctions process.

You cannot bring:

• Reference materials and notes: Books, dictionaries and revision notes are not permitted for closed-book MCQ exams.
• Phones, smart devices and watches: Follow the storage instructions. The remote rules require a mirror or phone for the security check only; this does not permit phone use during the exam.
• Physical scratch paper for remote MCQ exams: This is prohibited; use the onscreen scratch facility. Do not apply this MCQ rule to a narrative paper, which has separate requirements.
• Unapproved calculators: Test-centre and ProProctor MCQ candidates must use the onscreen calculator. Remote TestReach MCQ candidates may bring a non-programmable scientific calculator; confirm your provider in the booking letter.
• Other items and adjustments: Check the venue and provider instructions. Arrange any required reasonable adjustment through CISI in advance rather than assuming an item is permitted.

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The “Exam-Room” Strategy

Once you pass security, are escorted to your terminal, and the timer begins, implement the following strategy:

The “Brain Dump”

Once the exam has started, use only the scratch facility permitted for your delivery method. A short formula or acronym note can reduce cognitive load, but keep it proportionate so it does not consume valuable exam time.

The Flagging System

Pacing depends on the unit. The scored-paper baselines are 50 questions in 60 minutes for IISI and 100 questions in 120 minutes for ICWIM and UAE FRR. Their specifications allow up to 10% additional unscored trial questions with proportionately more time; the trial items are not separately identified. Use the count and time actually displayed for your sitting. If you encounter a multi-step calculation or a confusing regulatory double-negative, flag it and move on before it consumes the review time you planned.

Answer the straightforward questions first, then return to flagged, time-consuming items. Base the final review window on the actual question count and duration published for your unit.

Managing the Post-Exam Adrenaline

When you reach the final question, do not instantly submit if time remains. Review unanswered and flagged questions first, then check answers only where you can identify a specific reason to reconsider them.

After submission, follow the onscreen and invigilator instructions. The CISI results policy states that MCQ results are available in MyCISI within 24 working hours. They remain provisional for five working days, after which a successful candidate can access the certificate.

Are you walking into test day unprepared? Use Exams Academy’s timed mock simulators to build pacing endurance and identify weak areas before booking. Practice improves readiness but cannot guarantee an official result.