CPI/CPPI Rules and Regulations
While it is not a mandatory requirement, the IPA strongly recommends that students intending to sit any of the examinations consider the following before applying:
- Practical Experience:
Students should ideally have a minimum of two years’ practical insolvency experience within the industry. This experience should cover a range of key technical areas relevant to the examinations. - Range of Experience:
Gaining exposure to the different aspects of insolvency work will help ensure a well-rounded understanding and better exam preparedness. - Structured Training:
Attendance at a structured training course delivered by a recognised training provider is highly recommended. This supports both technical knowledge and exam technique.
These recommendations are designed to support candidates in achieving the best possible outcome and ensuring they are adequately prepared for the demands of the examinations.
Student membership is for members who wish to take the CPI/CPPI or JIE, it is not intended for any other type of membership. We recommend that you take an examination during the first year of your IPA membership, if this is not your intention, please contact The Membership Team on [email protected]
An application to be registered as a Student (or other category of IPA membership) must be made at least one month before the examination closing date to allow time for approval and processing.
Each examination comprises a single three hour paper.
Requests for special circumstances must be submitted before the examination deadline. Any requests received after this deadline will not be considered.
The CPI covers personal and corporate insolvency, based on legislation and practice (in force as at 1st January of the year to the examination), with a greater emphasis on corporate insolvency: the standard is broadly equivalent to “A” level. The CPPI covers personal insolvency only.
This is an online exam and can be taken worldwide. Please contact the software provider if you are not taking the exam in the UK for an alternative exam start time.
Around 40% of marks are allocated to multiple choice and short answers and around 60% to essay type questions.
There are no exemptions and no referrals for any part of the paper: an unsuccessful candidate will have to re-sit the whole paper.
The IPA does not set a limit on the number of attempts that a candidate may have to pass the examination.
If a candidate is unable to sit the examination after submitting their application, they may request to defer to the next available sitting.
- The first deferral is free of charge and must be used at the next scheduled examination session.
- Any subsequent deferrals will incur a fee of £90.00.
To request a deferral, please contact the Student Officer as soon as possible.
In preparation for the exam, ensure you have completed the system checks via TestReach, registered for the correct exam, reviewed the FAQs, and shared the IT protocol document with your IT team.
On the day of the exam, please allow sufficient time to set up, have your identification ready, and ensure you are in a quiet room with a strong Wi-Fi connection.
If you are unable to log in, you should first contact TestReach. If further assistance is required, please then contact Maria Weemes, Student Officer.
Under no circumstances should you contact your course provider or any other party. Doing so will be treated as an examination breach and may result in you being unable to sit the exam or your paper not being marked.
Examination results
These are available and sent to a candidate’s by email only. Results for the June sitting will be sent the end of August or the beginning of September, the results for the November sitting will be issued at the end of January or the beginning of February. Successful candidates are displayed on the IPA web site as soon as all individual candidates have been informed. Successful students also receive an online IPA certificate and badge to confirm their achievement. Please keep these safe.
Individual results will say what the pass mark is, what mark the candidate achieved and whether he/she has passed or failed. The pass mark is set each year by the examination moderator and the Chairman of the IPA Examination Committee.
Students may achieve distinctions and merits in this paper and IPA students who are placed first, second or third will receive an invitation to the annual conference and have their certificate awarded in the presence of fellow IPA professionals.
Examination appeals
An appeal must be made no later than one month after the result has been sent and must be accompanied by a fee of £200 this includes VAT. The award of prizes, distinctions and merits is a discretionary matter managed by the Chief Examiner and it is not the policy of the IPA to release the relevant criteria that are taken into consideration.
Appeals will only he held for those that have failed.
The candidate’s paper will be re-marked by an examiner selected by the Chair of the Examination Committee, and will be an examiner who has not previously marked or moderated the paper.
The IPA does not issue marked exam papers to students upon request.
In the event that the appeal is successful and the paper marked up, the appeal fee will be refunded: if the appeal is unsuccessful, the appeal fee will not be refunded but retained by the IPA.
Late appeals or appeals not accompanied by the appeal fee will not be considered.
There is no provision for any further appeal.
Candidates do not receive their completed paper or videos of them during the examination back.