\assessment regulations
By registering for CIPFA examinations and other assessments candidates agree to obey
by the assessment regulations enclosed herewith.
Contents
General information ................................................................................................. 2
1 Exemptions ....................................................................................................... 2
2 Registering for assessments ................................................................................ 2
3 Information for students wishing take examinations outside the UK .......................... 2
Rules for examination candidates ............................................................................. 3
1 Arrival............................................................................................................... 3
2 Record of attendance .......................................................................................... 3
3 Conduct during the examination ........................................................................... 3
4 Late arrivals ...................................................................................................... 3
5 Leaving the exam room ...................................................................................... 3
6 Evacuation ........................................................................................................ 4
7 Reading time ..................................................................................................... 4
8 Materials at examination desk .............................................................................. 4
9 Using calculators ................................................................................................ 4
10
Using notes, books etc ..................................................................................... 5
11
Mobile phones ................................................................................................. 5
12
Smoking ........................................................................................................ 5
13
Food and drink ................................................................................................ 5
14
Completion of exam scripts .............................................................................. 5
15
Examination scripts ......................................................................................... 6
16
Liability .......................................................................................................... 6
Additional information for examination candidates .................................................. 7
1 Special arrangements ......................................................................................... 7
2 Special considerations ......................................................................................... 8
3 Assessment fees and refunds ............................................................................... 9
4 Deferring assessment attempt ........................................................................... 10
5 Results............................................................................................................ 10
6 Examination mark sheet service ......................................................................... 10
7 Script feedback service ..................................................................................... 10
8 Appeals ........................................................................................................... 11
CIPFA Student Support
77 Mansell Street
London E1 8AN
T 020 3117 1870
E studentsupport@cipfa.org
General information
To be eligible to sit CIPFA assessments candidates must:
 be registered students of CIPFA;
 have registered date and venue details for the examination before the published
closing date;
 have paid the assessment fee(s) as per the payment terms and conditions;
 have passed/been exempted from all Professional Certificate and Professional Diploma
level modules before attempting the Strategic stage examinations1.
The Strategic Financial Management (SFM) examination draws on all Professional Certificate
and Diploma stage syllabi (as examinable six months previous to the sitting of the SFM
examination), the Strategic Leadership syllabus as well as the student's real-life professional
experience.
1
Exemptions
Exemptions from CIPFA modules are awarded in recognition of previous academic
achievement. Candidates are not required to complete the assessment in any module
from which they have been granted exemption. An exemption will not be granted if
the student has previously attempted an assessment for a module and not been
successful.
2
Registering for assessments
Purchase of an assessment entry for a module (and the venue for examinations) must
be completed via the CIPFA website before the assessment entry deadline.
The Professional Qualification (PQ) is modular and therefore the order in which
examinations should be taken is not pre-determined, with the exception of Strategic
stage examinations which can only be attempted after successfully completing all
lower level examinations but see footnote below.
3
Information for students wishing take PQ examinations outside the UK
To enable an examination to take place outside of the pre-arranged UK venues,
candidates must make all arrangements for an examination centre and an invigilator
for the exams (British Council is recommended wherever available; local colleges or
universities or other educational organisations can be used in the absence of British
Council). A letter confirming the venue and invigilation arrangements must be
received by CIPFA Student Support by the examination entry deadline along
with a completed overseas arrangements form which can be found on CIPFAs website.
All arrangements are subject to CIPFA’s approval.
Please note that CIPFA takes no responsibility for the convening arrangements, quality
of examination venues, invigilation or additional costs incurred outside of the prearranged UK venues. It is the responsibility of the candidate that the venue arranges
secure delivery of the script to CIPFA for marking.
The times of examinations are set by Greenwich Meantime (December) and British
Summer Time (June). The timetable for overseas sitting of exams will be adjusted to
local time and will be confirmed by CIPFA.
If you need assistance, please call Student Support on +44 20 3117 1870 (From
outside UK) or 020 3117 1870 (Inside UK) or email studentsupport@cipfa.org
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Rules for examination candidates
Please read the rules carefully before examination
1
Arrival
Candidates should arrive at the examination venue at least 20 minutes before the
start of each examination’s reading time when this applies. (For SFM, for which there
is no discrete reading time then candidates should arrive at least 20 minutes before
the start of each session). Please check the start time of the examination, the location
of the examination venue and allow sufficient time to get there.
2
Record of attendance
Candidates must bring the examination admission email and photo ID (passport,
photo driving licence or national ID) to the examination room at each session and
place it on the desk.
CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SIT THE EXAM WITHOUT BOTH THE
EXAMINATION ADMISSION EMAIL AND PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.
If candidates have been granted special arrangements, the confirmation letter from
CIPFA should be displayed on the desk. Invigilators will also have a copy of the letter.
Female Muslim candidates wearing a hijab with a veil covering the face will be
escorted to a private room with a female invigilator or female staff member at the
examination venue to check their identity at the end of the examination.
3
Conduct during the examination
 Complete silence must be observed throughout the examination.
 Candidates will conduct themselves in a considerate, professional and courteous
manner at all times.
 In no circumstances may candidates communicate with other candidates during
the examination.
 Candidates who wish to attract the attention of the invigilator must do so by
raising their hand. Candidates must not call out.
 If candidates perceive an error or some other problem with an examination
question, they should make an appropriate assumption, state it in their script, and
carry on. In such circumstances, candidates should not seek the advice of the
invigilator.
 Candidates will follow the instructions of the invigilators.
 Invigilators will have discretion to exclude candidates from the examination and
may escort candidates from the examination room for unreasonable or disruptive
behaviour.
4
Late arrivals
Candidates may not under any circumstances enter the examination room more than
30 minutes after the start of the writing time for the examination, including all SFM
sessions. Candidates who arrive late but within the first 30 minutes of the writing time
will not be granted any extra reading or writing time.
5
Leaving the exam room
Candidates may not leave the examination room during the first 30 minutes or the last
15 minutes of the examination’s writing time, including all SFM sessions with the
exception of SFM Question 1 for which students are not allowed to leave early at any
time.
If candidates need to leave the room during an examination for any reason, they
should attract the invigilator's attention by raising a hand. Question papers, answer
books or any other examination materials must not be removed from the examination
room. If candidates do not intend to return to the examination room, they must hand
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their examination script and any supplementary sheets to the invigilator before
leaving.
When leaving the examination room after the finish time, candidates should consider
other students who may have extra time and leave in silence.
EXAMINATION DOCUMENTATION (INCLUDING THE EXAMINATION PAPER) MUST NOT
BE REMOVED FROM THE VENUE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
6
Evacuation
If for any reason the examination room has to be evacuated, candidates must follow
the invigilator’s instructions. Candidates must leave all examination materials in the
examination room.
7
Reading time
Reading time is allowed at the beginning of all examinations, except for SFM.
Candidates must not begin to answer questions until instructed to do so by the
invigilator. Candidates must not use a highlighter or make any notes during the
reading time. Reading time is strictly for reading only.
8
Materials at examination desk
Candidates must bring the following items to the examination desk:
 Pens – please use black ink
 HB pencils
 Eraser
 Ruler
Candidates may bring the following items to the examination desk:
 Calculator as specified below
 Batteries for calculator
 Highlighter
 Pencil sharpener
 For SFM only: post-it notes in sealed packs
The above items are not provided by CIPFA or the examination venue. No other aids
may be brought into the exam room.
The examination venue will provide the following:
 All necessary exam script stationery;
 Proforma booklets when relevant;
 Statistical tables when relevant;
 Formulae sheets when relevant.
No candidate may bring any writing paper to the examination desk. Candidates may
request additional examination script stationery at any time during the examination by
raising their hand. Do not call out.
9
Using calculators
Candidates may use calculators in the examinations. The following conditions apply:
Calculators must be:
 of a size suitable for use on the desk
 either battery or solar powered
 noiseless and cordless
Calculators must NOT:
 be designed or adapted to offer any of these facilities:
o language translators
o symbolic algebra manipulation
o symbolic differentiation or integration
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

o communication with other machines or the internet
be borrowed from another candidate during an examination for any reason
have retrievable information stored in them – this includes:
o databanks
o dictionaries
o mathematic formulae
o text
Candidates are responsible for:
 the calculator’s power supply
 the calculator’s working condition
 making sure the calculator complies with these rules
Candidates may use calculators with graphic displays and programmable calculators if
these calculators meet the restrictions shown above
Candidates must NOT bring the following into an examination:

calculator cases

instruction leaflets

instructions and formulae printed on calculator lids or covers

similar materials
The decision of the invigilator on any matter to do with the use of calculators or other
aids is final.
10
Using notes, books etc
No reference books, dictionaries, notes or any other pages may be taken to the desk.
Candidates for whom English is not their first language and who wish to use bi-lingual
dictionaries must apply for special arrangements.
Pre-seen material relating to the Strategic Leadership and Strategic Financial
Management examinations must not be brought to the desk. These materials are
incorporated in the examination papers.
11
Mobile phones
Candidates must switch off mobile phones and place these in their bags or coats
for the duration of the examination. If a candidate is found to be using a mobile phone
during the examination it will be confiscated by the invigilator for the duration of the
examination and returned to the candidate once the examination has finished. The
invigilator will record the full details of the incident on the Invigilator’s Report,
including the candidate’s number and time of the incident. The candidate will be
allowed to continue taking the examination. Candidates who are found using a mobile
phone during the examination may be referred to CIPFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
12
Smoking
Smoking is strictly forbidden at all times in the examination room.
13
Food and drink
Food is NOT allowed in the examination room unless for medical reasons and
permission has been given by CIPFA in advance – please see details of special
arrangements. All candidates may bring a small bottle of still water to the desk.
14
Completion of exam scripts
 Answers must be written in black ink. Pencils may only be used for drawing
diagrams or graphs.
 Candidates must complete the appropriate sections of the answer cover sheet.
Candidate names must NOT be written on the answer cover sheet or any part of
the examination script.
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The number of questions to be answered is given at the head of each examination
paper. If more than the required maximum number of questions is answered, all
questions will be marked and the lowest scoring optional question(s) will then be
omitted when calculating the overall mark.
Each answer sheet must bear the number of the question and each answer must
start on a separate sheet of paper. Rough work and notes must be included with
the script but should be clearly marked as such.
Before handing in the script, all sheets must be placed in question order,
numbered consecutively throughout and inserted inside the answer cover
sheet and fastened securely using the treasury tag provided.
On completing the examination, candidates must remain in their seats
until all the scripts and all examination papers and other documents are
collected and the invigilator gives the instruction to leave.
Candidates must not remove examination papers or other documentation
from the examination room.
CIPFA will not mark any scripts, papers, graphs or diagrams that are not handed in
at the end of the examination. Any answer that is taken out of the examination
room may not subsequently be submitted for marking. If candidates do not want
their script marked, they must inform the invigilator.
15
Examination scripts
Examination scripts are CIPFA’s property. When candidates finish the examination and
hand in the script to CIPFA for marking, they do not have any rights to the script
except where copyright is concerned. Examination scripts will not be returned to
candidates under any circumstances.
16
Liability
CIPFA will not be liable for any loss of, theft of, or damage to personal belongings left
in or outside the examination room. Any personal items brought to the examination
are held to be at the owner’s risk.
Any candidate failing to comply with these rules, or with any given by the
invigilator, may be liable for disqualification.
Invigilators will report any perceived breach of these rules to CIPFA. Where
the circumstances of any potential breach of these rules reveal that there
may be a breach of Bye-Law 25 of the CIPFA Bye-Laws, the matter will be
dealt with pursuant to the Institute’s Disciplinary Regulations in force from
time to time.
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Additional information for examination candidates
Please read the additional notes below regarding CIPFA assessment. If you have
any queries about the assessment, please contact CIPFA Student Support before
the assessment date to ensure that any issues are resolved.
Special requirements
CIPFA recognises that there are candidates who have coped with the learning demands of a
course and demonstrate attainment in the skills and knowledge being assessed but for whom
the standard arrangements for the assessment of their attainment may present an
unnecessary barrier which could be removed without affecting the validity of the assessment.
This can apply to students who have long term learning problems but also to students who
are affected nearer the time of the examination.
All applications must be accompanied by appropriate evidence. Applications will be considered
only on the merit of the evidence supplied and CIPFA’s decision thereon is final. Applications
not supported by documentary evidence cannot be considered. All evidence should be
supplied on letterhead paper – either original or an authenticated copy of the original – and
include the full printed name and contact details of the signatory. Failure to submit the
appropriate evidence will result in applications being rejected.
If, prior to the assessment date, a candidate feels unable to make a reasonable
attempt, they should consider deferring the attempt. If the candidate decides to
take the assessment, they may be asked for their reasons for not deferring the
attempt.
There are two types of special requirements:
Special arrangements
Special considerations
1
Special arrangements
These are approved before an assessment and are intended to allow attainment to be
demonstrated. Only those arrangements considered and approved by CIPFA in advance
of the assessment will be honoured. Invigilators do not have any discretion to award
special arrangements.
Applying for special arrangements
There are four types of special arrangements:
Category of impairment
Communication and
interaction
Cognition and learning
Sensory and physical
needs
Behavioural, emotional
and social needs
Type of impairment
written communication
oral communication
learning difficulties
dyslexia
sight impairment
hearing impairment
physical disabilities
long term medical problems
psychiatric disorders
Example arrangements
use of a word processor
writing assistance (scribe)
extra time
assistive technology
use of word processor
extra time
separate room
separate room
Applications for special arrangements must be made, with the relevant supporting
evidence, by the assessment entry deadline for each examination diet, even for long
term conditions. If the condition is of temporary nature, eg physical injury, new medical
evidence must be supplied.
Please note that applications for special arrangements received by CIPFA Student
Support after the assessment entry deadline and by a date 10 working days before the
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first exam will be considered but no guarantees are given that the application will be able
to be approved. Any special arrangements received after this point will not be
considered.
To apply for special arrangements, candidates must complete the relevant application
form and submit this to CIPFA Student Support with relevant documentation, ideally by
email. Medical certification must be attached for any applications based on medical
circumstances. The application form is available from the CIPFA website or from Student
Support.
Medical certification must be relevant, detailed and confirm what arrangements the
candidate may benefit from.
Candidates with learning difficulties must produce appropriate assessments/reports by a
qualified psychologist. There are cases where a clinical or occupational psychologist
might have been medically responsible for the candidate and their reports will also be
accepted. The assessments must be completed and the report signed by an appropriate
qualified person within four years of the date of the start of the assessment month. The
status of the person must be specified.
In exceptional circumstances CIPFA may accept notification from the candidate’s
employer as evidence to support the application.
If candidates have a number of different needs then CIPFA will, wherever possible, take
all these needs into account. If special arrangements are agreed by CIPFA the student
must be comfortable with these and in the case of equipment being used, e.g. word
processor, the student must have had experience of using one before. If a student has a
problem with the arrangements given then they must contact CIPFA immediately.
The arrangements that are made are to allow all candidates to be assessed equally. All
marking is completed without prejudice and without knowledge of any special
arrangements agreed. Special arrangements cases are not put forward to the
Examination Panel.
2
Special considerations
If extenuating circumstances occur immediately prior to or during the assessment, an
application for special considerations may be made.
If there is a disturbance in the exam venue that affects all candidates sitting at that
venue, it will be noted by the invigilator and brought to the attention of CIPFA Student
Support. All such disturbances are reported to the Examination Panel. If the disturbance
is found to have significantly affected the candidates sitting at the venue, compensatory
marks may be awarded to the candidates affected by the Examination Panel. Candidates
need not report this separately or apply for special considerations unless they feel they
were affected differently to all other candidates at the venue.
There are two categories of special considerations:
 Disturbances during the assessment affecting the individual candidate
If there is a disturbance at the examination venue that affects an individual candidate
adversely and differently to all others at that venue, the candidate must bring this to the
attention of the invigilator and CIPFA Student Support.
In order for these circumstances to be considered by the Examination Panel, the
candidate must formally apply for special considerations.
 Extenuating circumstances affecting the individual candidate
If a candidate suffers a temporary illness, injury, indisposition or is otherwise adversely
affected at the time of the examination, they may apply for special considerations.
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Applying for special considerations
Applications for special considerations must be received by CIPFA within 10 working
days of the last assessment taken by the candidate. Please note that applications
received after these dates will not be considered under any circumstances.
The candidate must complete the application for special considerations form and supply
all relevant evidence. Medical certification must be attached for any applications based on
medical circumstances. The application form is available from the CIPFA website and
from Student Support. If it is not possible to email the application to CIPFA Student
Support then a secure postal service should be used. All special considerations
applications received are acknowledged within 5 working days of the final exam in the
cycle.
Medical certification must be relevant, detailed and confirm that performance in an
assessment was affected by the condition.
In cases of bereavement, students are required to attach relevant supporting
documentation, such as a copy of a death certificate or employer notification.
In exceptional circumstances CIPFA may accept notification from the candidate’s
employer as medical evidence to support the application.
If the candidate marginally fails the examination (i.e. achieves 45-49 marks or 35-39
for SFM), their case will be presented to the CIPFA Examination Panel. Each case is
considered on its merits and cannot be deemed to set a precedent. A successful
application may result in a small adjustment to the candidate’s overall mark. The
published mark will reflect the decision of the Examination Panel.
The Examination Panel has the power to award compensatory marks if the application
provides sufficient evidence that the candidate was adversely affected. The Panel may
also choose to award other compensation, e.g. a free examination re-sit, revision
support, etc.
3
Assessment fees and refunds
An assessment fee is payable for each assessment attempt of the qualification
components.
Practical Experience Portfolio assessment fees apply as follows:

£200 – portfolio submission

£50 – portfolio re-submission
Examination fees apply when purchasing an examination and examination resit:


£100
£50


£200
£75
per module at Professional Certificate/Professional Diploma
for either the Public Finance or Taxation component of the Public Finance
and Taxation module.
per module at the Strategic stage
late entry fee (non-refundable)
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Refunds
A full or partial refund of examination fees will be made in the following circumstances:
Criteria for a full or partial refund
Value of
refund
1
Where a candidate’s application is withdrawn before the
100%
examination entry deadline.
2
Where the candidate is prevented from attending the examination by 50%
illness or bereavement, substantiated by a satisfactory medical
certificate received at CIPFA within 10 working days of the
examination.
Candidates who wish to request a refund for an examination and meet any of the criteria
above should complete the withdrawal/refund form available from the CIPFA website and
return it to Student Support.
4
Deferring assessment attempt
Instead of claiming a full or partial refund a candidate may transfer the assessment fee to
the next available session only. If this subsequent attempt is then cancelled no refund or
further transfer is permitted.
Criteria for deferral
 Where a candidate’s request to defer is received before the assessment entry
deadline.
 Where the candidate is prevented from attempting the assessment by illness or
bereavement, substantiated by a satisfactory medical certificate received at CIPFA
within 10 working days of the examination.
5
Results
Candidates’ results are sent directly by email and are published on the CIPFA website.
Dates of results release are published on the CIPFA website. You can log on to your
MY CIPFA account access the examination results online.
CIPFA tuition providers receive the results of their students for quality assurance
purposes. Employers who sponsor students are also notified of their students’ results
unless the candidate chooses otherwise. Candidates who do not wish their results to be
published or released should write to studentsupport@cipfa.org
6
Examination mark sheet service
To receive a detailed breakdown of the marks awarded, candidates can request a copy of
the final mark sheet for the examination(s) taken.
 Mark sheets for the most recent examination diet only are available to purchase for
four weeks after the examination results have been released.
 A copy of the mark sheet(s) will be sent by email. Please note that examination scripts
are not released to the candidate as part of the service.
 Exam mark sheet costs £20 each.
7
Script feedback service
CIPFA Education and Training Centre (CETC) provides a script feedback service. Written
feedback is provided to the candidate outlining strengths and weaknesses and making
suggestions for improving future examination performance.
Feedback reports take approx. three weeks from the date of the order. Please note that
no reports are released before the appeals submission deadline. This service costs £120
inclusive of VAT per script.
Please note that examination scripts are not released to the candidate as part of this
service. This service is available for eight weeks after the examination results have been
released.
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8
Appeals
An appeal against the assessment decision can only be made on non-academic grounds
as specified in the policy published on the CIPFA website.
The completed appeal form must be submitted within 10 working days from the day the
examination results are released. A fee of £75 must be paid and proof of payment
included with the appeal form.
Grounds for appeal
Students must be able to provide clear evidence that the decision against which they are
appealing meets at least one of the following criteria:
 The decision was biased or discriminatory;
 Relevant information received by stated deadlines had not been taken into
consideration;
 Substantial procedural irregularity.
Students considering an appeal should take note of the following:
 It is the responsibility of the student to provide CIPFA with clear evidence that one of
the grounds listed above is valid.
 Disagreement with the academic judgement of examiners does not give grounds for
appeal, e.g. marks awarded per question.
 Appeals will only be accepted on the grounds listed above and no other grounds will
be considered.
 When appealing on the grounds of circumstances relating to events prior to the
examination, Student Support must have been informed in writing prior to the
examination.
 When appealing on the grounds of circumstances relating to events during the
examination, the events must have been brought to the invigilator's attention during
the examination. Students must also notify Student Support within 10 working days of
the date of the last examination taken of any issues which may have affected their
exam performance.
Submitting an appeal
Student should download the appeal form from the CIPFA website, complete and post it
by the deadline, together with payment, to:
Head of Student Services
CIPFA Student Support
77 Mansell Street
London E1 8AN
Alternatively, scanned signed copies can be emailed to studentsupport@cipfa.org
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