Update (20 January 2026): Page updated for April 2026 exams
Guardian browser chat function: We would also like to remind you that the chat support function that can be accessed through the Guardian browser, supported by Proctor U, can only be used to help you to connect to the remote invigilation system.
The April exam session will follow a similar format to September, with most candidates sitting their exams at in-person exam centres.
Yes. All candidates will be able to express a preference in their exam centre location earlier in the exam booking process.
You will be asked to select your preferred exam centre location(s) using an online form immediately after your exam booking and payment is confirmed.
The way you book your exams will not change. The booking process for April 2026 will follow that used in 2025, with all individual bookings and payment through the IFoA member portal.
If your employer books and/or pays for exams on your behalf, the initial process also remains the same. If you sit IFoA exams through another actuarial association, they will contact you directly about your exam booking and location.
Exam booking for the April 2026 session will open two weeks earlier than originally published, to support our enhanced booking process.
Opens:
Closes:
You can find all key dates for our April session on our Key exam dates web page.
There will be a link to an Exam location preference form included in your exam booking confirmation email.
If you book and pay for your exams on the member portal, you can also access the Exam location preference form from your member portal exam booking confirmation page.
You can select up to your three preferences of exam centre location.
If there are no suitable exam centre locations, you can also request to sit remotely, online.
We guide through each step in choosing your exam location on our Choosing your exam location web page.
Exam centre capacities are limited by location and will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
To increase the likelihood of receiving your preference, please book as early as possible in the exam booking period.
The deadline for submitting your Exam location preference form is 09:00 GMT (UTC) Monday 16 February.
If you do not submit an Exam location preference form or submit your form after the deadline, we will allocate an exam centre based on the preferred communication address we hold for you.
Therefore, please ensure your preferred address for communications is updated on the member portal before or immediately after booking.
We will confirm your allocation(s) by email during the week of the 23 February 2026.
We will allocate you to one of your three preferred options where-ever possible.
If we are unable to allocate you to one of your three preferred exam centres, we will allocate you to the next nearest location in the same country or to remote invigilation.
If you do not want to sit your exam in the location (including remote invigilation) that we have allocated to you, you will have the opportunity to submit an exam location change request or request a full refund.
Change requests must be made using the dedicated form which, if applicable, will be shared in your allocation confirmation email.
We guide through each step in choosing your exam location on our Choosing your exam location web page.
If we have allocated you to one of your preferred locations, but you decide that you do not wish to sit your exam in that location, you can cancel your exam. Our standard assessment refund policy will apply.
You can find your exam location (including remote invigilation) in your exam location allocation confirmation email.
Your exam location will also be confirmed in your exam joining instructions, which will be available in your member portal two weeks before your exam date.
Yes.
The only exception is the Communications Practice (CP3), where exam candidates are permitted to bring the advanced material into the exam room.
Candidates can make notes on the advanced material only - no additional pages of pre-prepared notes can be used during the exam.
For further guidance, please see the Examinations Handbook and Assessment Regulations.
Yes, each exam subject will have one single start time.
Exams will be held at 09:00 UK time (BST) (UTC +1)
No, the exam duration will remain the same, regardless of whether you are sitting the exam at a centre or remotely.
To access the online exam platform, you will need download the ‘Guardian Browser’ to your laptop or computer.
You will also need access to the relevant software used in your exam, which may include:
Full details of the required software can be found in the Examinations Handbook.
You are responsible for making sure you have the required equipment that meets the minimum technical specifications.
To understand more about your responsibilities, please refer to the Assessment Regulations.
You will not be able to sit your exam without downloading and installing the Guardian Browser.
Here’s what you can do:
More information is available in the Examinations Handbook.
You will need to access a remote invigilation software through the secure Guardian Browser. There is no live proctor. Your exam is recorded and reviewed after completion.
You will need a laptop or computer that meets the minimum technical requirements. Please see our technical requirements webpage.
Key requirements include:
Please ensure your setup complies with these rules to avoid issues on exam day.
You can test that your computer is exam ready by using the ‘try it now’ function.
On exam day, if you are sitting your exam remotely, you will need to:
Your audio, video, and screen will be recorded throughout the exam. There is no live proctor; your recording will be reviewed after the exam to ensure compliance with Assessment Regulations.
For technical issues during setup or the exam, you can use the ‘Chat’ function within the Guardian Browser. Please note:
More information is available in the Examinations Handbook.
If you’ve sat IFoA exams before, you’ll be familiar with the online exam platform, as it remains the same as in previous sessions.
Further step by step guidance is available in the Examinations Handbook.
No – you cannot connect to the system in a virtual desktop environment.
We do not recommend using mobile hotspots or tethering via your mobile phone, as these methods are unlikely to provide a stable or reliable internet connection.
We strongly advise using either a wired connection or a strong, stable Wi-Fi connection to minimise the risk of disconnection during your exam.
Please refer to the Examinations Handbook for full details on technical requirements and support.
No, using a mobile phone as a webcam is not permitted. For external webcam specifications, please see our technical requirements webpage.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the device chosen to complete their exam meets all the exam system technical requirements.
For details on our technical requirements, please see our technical requirements webpage.
No, you will not need your phone to access the online exam platform, as two-factor authentication is no longer required.
If you do have your phone in your room, it must be placed out of reach during your exam.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring their equipment meets the minimum technical requirements ahead of exam day.
If you experience technical issues during setup or the exam:
Important: If your issue is due to a fault with your equipment or internet connection and cannot be resolved, we will not be able to offer an alternative exam sitting.
If the issue is caused by a system failure or technical error on the part of the IFoA or its third-party suppliers, we will implement our business continuity plans and provide further guidance accordingly.
Please refer to the Examinations Handbook for full details on technical requirements and support.
Yes, please follow these links to view the Compliance and Privacy policy of our remote invigilation provider.
All data will be stored in secure US based servers.
Recordings will be viewed by trained invigilators and IFoA executive staff only.
Images of photographic ID will be retained for 7 working days.
Exam recordings will be retained for 12 months.
No, all candidates are expected to complete their exam using a laptop and keyboard typing their answers.
Handwritten answers are only permitted if you have a pre-approved access arrangement allowing this.
Access arrangements are adjustments made to exam conditions to support candidates who would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage.
If you require any access or inclusion arrangements for the upcoming exam session, you must submit your application by 17:00 GMT (UTC) on Friday 13 February 2026 (the exam entry closing date).
We strongly encourage you to:
Late applications
If you apply after the deadline, it may not be possible to grant your request in time. In such cases, you may need to defer your exam in line with the IFoA Cancellation Policy.
Comfort aids
Candidates are allowed to bring certain comfort aids into the exam. Please refer to the Comfort Aid List for what is permitted. If you need a comfort aid that is not on the standard list, you must apply through the access arrangements process.
All candidates sitting remotely invigilated exams will be invited to experience the remote invigilation process in a practice session.
We will confirm the time and date in your exam location allocation confirmation email.
Please only refer to the guidance and regulations issued by the IFoA.
ProctorU are purely a supplier we work with to provide remote invigilation during the exams.
Any information found on our third-party suppliers' websites may not be tailored for the IFoA and may cause confusion.
Please refer to the Assessment Regulations for guidance on what acceptable ID is permitted.
The details we hold for you must match your chosen form of photographic identification.
Candidates will need to update their details in their member portal to ensure ID verification is accepted.
Non-members will need to contact memberservices@actuaries.org.uk to make these changes.
Yes, two sheets of A4 paper and an A4 wipeable surface, for example a whiteboard.
Yes, candidates are permitted to use a calculator during their exam.
However:
For further guidance on permitted devices available during the exam, please refer to the Assessment Regulations.
Yes, you will be able to use an external keyboard or mouse.
Please ensure you have completed the required technical checks with all the equipment you intend to use during your exam.
For further guidance on permitted devices available during the exam, please refer to the Assessment Regulations.
No. Talking during your exam is not allowed, unless specifically permitted by agreed access arrangements.
Even accidental mouthing or mumbling may be flagged as a potential breach of the Assessment Regulations, especially under remote invigilation.
If you speak unintentionally or an unexpected noise occurs (e.g. background sound or you react out loud), we recommend you briefly explain the situation on camera and then continue with your exam. This may help avoid any misunderstanding during the post-exam review of your recording.
For further guidance on acceptable behaviours, please refer to the Assessment Regulations.
Pets are permitted in the exam room so long as they do not cause sound or visual disruption to your exam recording.
Yes. Candidates are permitted to take two 5-minute breaks during their exam. Please note the following conditions:
For details on requesting additional breaks or adjustments due to a medical condition or other needs, please see our guidance on access arrangements.
Exceeding the permitted break allowance without an approved access arrangement in place is considered a breach of the Assessment Regulations and may result in disqualification from your exam.
All exam recordings are reviewed after the session. If any concerns are identified, you will receive a letter from the Inappropriate Conduct Review Team outlining the issue.
If you experienced an unforeseen or exceptional circumstance that led to exceeding the break time, you should:
For further guidance or to discuss your circumstances, please contact: exams@actuaries.org.uk
Your webcam, audio and screen share should continue recording uninterrupted during the permitted breaks. You do not have to take your recording device with you.
Drinks and snacks are permitted. For example, energy bars or a piece of fruit. Candidates should be mindful of noise while eating as this could impact the exam recording.
You are responsible for ensuring your exam environment meets the required exam conditions.
This means:
If you are sitting your exam in a shared workspace or office, we strongly recommend putting up a sign to prevent accidental interruption.
Any interaction with another person during your exam even if unintentional is considered a breach of the Assessment Regulations and may result in disciplinary action.
Please refer to the Assessment Regulations for guidance on exam environment.
No. Noise is not permitted unless it is part of an approved access arrangement.
You are responsible for selecting a suitable exam environment that allows you to complete your exam without distractions.
If your current location is prone to external noise (for example roadworks, building work, loud neighbours), you should consider an alternative location to minimise disruption.
If unavoidable external noise occurs on the day of your exam and you believe it affected your performance, you may wish to submit a mitigating circumstances application. Full details on how to apply and what evidence is required can be found in the Mitigating Circumstances Policy.
No, this is not permitted.
There is no countdown clock or timer built into the exam platform or remote invigilation system.
You may use an analogue or digital stopwatch, timer, or clock to help you manage your time during the exam.
However, smartwatches, tablets, or mobile phones must not be used for this purpose, as they are not permitted under Assessment Regulations.
You can stretch and move at your exam desk while remaining in view of the camera. You are not permitted to move out of the view of the camera unless you are taking a permitted break or have access arrangements.
There is no automatic tracking of eye movement. During the post-exam review, reviewers will consider if any suspicious activity has occurred and flag this to the IFoA for further consideration.
Yes, candidates will be able to use the split screen functionality on their one monitor.
Yes, you are permitted to use the pre-exam materials provided for CP3 and the CS exams.
CP3:
CS1B and CS2B exams:
You are not permitted to pre-prepare any materials in advance of the exams.
All work submitted should be your own and should be completed during the exam time.
With the exception of the pre-exam materials provided for the CP3 and CS exams, which are permitted for use and reference during those exams.
Yes, the copy and paste function is allowed during your exam.
However, please be aware that any plagiarism may result in disciplinary action, unless the exam specifically requires you to reproduce provided materials.
You must remain in view of your webcam at all times, except when taking one of the two permitted five-minute breaks.
We understand it may not be possible to show your full environment, keyboard, and body in a single camera angle. Therefore, you must ensure your webcam provides a clear view of your face, with your shoulders and arms also visible throughout the exam.
This is essential for maintaining the integrity of the remote invigilation process.
No. The autosave function will be disabled for the entire duration of the exam.
You are responsible for saving your own work throughout the exam. We strongly recommend that you manually save your answer file at least every 20 minutes to avoid losing progress.
Past papers delivered between 2020 and 2024 under open-book rules are still valuable study resources, as they more closely reflect the current syllabus objectives. Attempting these papers under closed book conditions can be a useful revision exercise.
Past papers delivered before 2020 were sat under closed-book conditions, however:
and
We have updated the Student Hub on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This is an excellent resource for guidance, tips, and materials to support your exam preparation.
To access the VLE:
1. Log in to your actuaries.org.uk account.
2. Click on My learning environment.
A wide range of exam support resources and webinar recordings are available.