CBE FAQs

What is the pass mark for a CBE?
To pass a CBE, you will need to score 60% of the available marks. 

When can I sit a CBE? 
To book a CBE you must be a registered CTA student who has been issued with a student identification number by the CIOT. 

If your registration as a student has expired you must re-register before you will be able to make a booking. Once your re-registration has been approved you will be able to book your examinations. If you are registering as a student for the first time, then you will need to allow for a 21 day period before you can book your exams. 

Subject to availability and opening hours you will be able to take the CBEs at a time of your choosing. Smaller Test Centres may have reduced opening hours. Some weekend and early evening appointments will be available at certain centres. 

You can book your CBEs here.

Are the three CBEs exactly the same? 
No. The main difference is that the Accounting CBE is 40 questions in one hour, whereas for Law and Ethics it is 50 questions in one hour. 

For the Accounting CBE only, you are able to take in a basic calculator (Non-Accounting, Non-Scientific), but please note there is also a calculator onscreen available for use with every single question.  This is the same rule whether you are sitting at a physical Test Centre or remote.

There is no onscreen calculator on any of the Law or Ethics questions, nor are you allowed to take any sort of physical calculator into the test room. 

Can I sit a sample exam? 
Yes, click here for the sample exams in Accounting, Law and Professional Responsibilities & Ethics.  

The sample CBEs last for 60 minutes each and you will need to correctly answer 60% of the questions set in order to pass. 

These questions have been withdrawn from the live bank of questions and chosen to give you the same spread of topics as you will face in the real exam. These will give you the best indication of whether or not you are ready to sit the examination. Try to attempt the examination without your learning materials and see if you can score 60% in the permitted time. 

These mock CBEs are made available to you solely for the purpose of assessing your proficiency level and the mark you achieve will not be recorded. You are expressly prohibited from publishing, reproducing or transmitting this examination, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the CIOT. 

Can I claim an exemption for a CBE? 
Yes, dependent on the qualification that you hold you may be eligible for an exemption. 

What fee do I need to pay to take a CBE? 
Please see our CBEs section for details on fees and also how to book. 

What is the format of the CBEs? What kind of questions will be set? 
Each of the CBEs will be of one-hour duration and made up of a mixture from four different question types: 

• Multiple choice questions – where you will be required to identify one correct response from a choice of four. 
• Multiple response questions – where you will be required to identify several correct responses from a choice of four. 
• Drop and drag questions – where you will be required to drag the relevant answer to the correct location (called a “drop zone”) onscreen. 
• Select from a list questions – where you will be required to identify the correct response from the options presented in the drop down box. 

Each question type is worth one mark. You will be allocated the relevant number of questions to answer within the hour permitted for each CBE. At least 60% of the responses to the questions must be correct to pass each CBE. A short section will be provided before the start of each CBE in order to allow you to familiarise yourself with the format, but the best way to familiarise yourself of both the style and type of questions and how you will be tested on the day is to to watch the tutorial video that is available here. 

What do I need to study to pass the CBEs? 
All questions are drawn from the latest editions of our CBE Study manuals which can be purchased from our online store. A free supplement is available if you intend to sit the Law CBE according to Scots Law. 

Is there any limit to the number of attempts permitted to pass the CBEs? 
No. However, your passes in the CBEs will be valid for nine sittings and you must be a registered active student in order to sit these exams. If your student registration has expired, then you will need to re-register prior to booking. 

How do I book a CBE? 
You must book via the Prometric website, here. You will need your student registration number, a valid email address and a debit or credit card (American Express is not accepted) in order to make a booking. Should you experience any problems using the online booking facility please contact us by email at [email protected], by telephone on 0844 5796700 or +44(0)20 7340 0550 or by letter to our normal postal address and we will resolve them for you. Important - if you need to sit the Law CBE according to Scots Law, you must contact us to ensure that this option is made available to you. 

Take care to select the correct option when booking as this cannot be amended later. 

Why am I receiving an error message when I attempt to log-in to the Prometric site to book a CBE? 
Please ensure that you have entered your student number and first four letters of your surname into the boxes provided, with no spaces before or after them. Also ensure that you have not entered all the letters of your surname in capitals. Please ensure that you have cleared your browsing history and cookies before you attempt to log-in to the site. If you are still experiencing technical issues, please contact us via email: [email protected].  

Can I reschedule my appointment? 
Yes, you may do so via the reschedule option on the online CBE booking system, although this will incur a charge as follows: 

• If request made more than 29 days before original appointment date - no charge. 
• If request made between 5 and 29 days of original appointment date - £15 charge per CBE rescheduled. 
• If request made less than 5 days before original appointment date - £30 charge per CBE rescheduled 

CBEs cannot be rescheduled on the day they are due to take place.  

How do I obtain a receipt for the payment I made to Prometric for the CBEs? 

You may print a receipt or have one emailed to you, through the Prometric website. To obtain a receipt, select the "Confirm my test" icon provided on the right-hand side of the Prometric CIOT welcome page. You will then be prompted to enter your 16-digit CBE booking confirmation number which begins with 8800 (do not enter the hash symbol) and the first four digits of your surname. You can then choose to select the option of printing your receipt from the webpage or requesting for the receipt to be emailed to you. 

The CIOT cannot issue receipts for this transaction, as the payment is processed through the Prometric billing system and website. 

I have lost my confirmation email and do not know my confirmation number, can it be resent? 

Please contact us at [email protected]. 

What provision is made if my personal circumstances mean that I need longer than one hour to complete a CBE? 

You should inform us before booking the CBEs and will be required to complete an application form, which you can obtain by contacting us. 

The form will need to be completed and returned to us with evidence of your condition supplied by a medical practitioner or other appropriate documentation (e.g. if you are dyslexic an Educational Psychologist's report). 

The CIOT will then contact to you inform you of the extra time and any other special arrangements that you will be allowed. You may then book your CBEs online through the Prometric website and will be asked to confirm the extra time that you have been awarded is as confirmed. Please note: Extra time of 25% will equate to 15 minutes extra in the CBE, however it will be reflected on the Prometric portal and your confirmation email as 30 minutes. 

You can contact us by email at [email protected] or telephone 0844 579 6700 or by letter to our normal postal address. 

All Prometric test centres have step-free access for wheelchair users. 

I have a medical condition, I may need access to food and/or special facilities at the centre or in the remote location of my choice, what do I do? 

If you have a condition that may require alternative arrangements, please contact us, we will liaise with the Test Centre to ensure measures are put in place or to ensure your proctor is aware if you are sitting remotely. An example might be if you are diabetic and need access to a snack during the exam or blood sugar monitoring equipment. 

Advanced notice is always required otherwise this will not be permitted.  Please contact us before you book your CBE examination. If you require additional time for the examinations, please refer to the above information.  

What will I have available to me when I sit down to take my test at the Prometric centre? 

At a physical Test Centre, you will be provided with a note pad and a pencil (for remote exams you will have an online scratch pad to use, as you are not allowed paper nor pens). You will not be allowed to take in things such as pens and pencils.  For the Accounting CBE only, you are able to take in a basic calculator (Non-Accounting, Non-Scientific), but please note there is a calculator onscreen available for use with every single question. 

• You are permitted to take water and drinks into your exams as long as the following points are followed. 
• The container must have all labelling removed. If the label cannot be removed then it can be allowed into the room 
• No containers will be allowed if it has a large non- transparent lid attached. 
• Only containers listed above are allowed and no others such as cups, cones or cans are allowed in the test room at all. 
• The container must be kept viewable at all times via the DVR system and on the desk. 
• If any candidate refuses to remove labelling then they must be advised the container will not be allowed into the test room. 
• The candidates must also be advised that they are NOT allowed to remove lids from containers or sports bottles and only permitted if it is removed to take a drink. (This should only impact personal containers or sports top bottles). 
• The containers will be inspected as part of the enhanced security procedure. 
  
  Please ensure you read through Prometric's FAQ here

What am I required to bring to the Test Centre? What about for a remote CBE? 

It is the same whether you are sitting at a Test Centre or doing a remote CBE - you MUST have with you one piece of a current official photographic ID containing your signature e.g. passport, photocard driving licence. 

Failure to provide this will result in entry to the test centre being refused and forfeiture of your test fee.  For a remote CBE, if you do not have the correct ID you will not be able to progress to sit your CBE and will result in forfeiture of your test fee. This rule will be strictly enforced. 

If you do not have permissible ID documents you should contact us before booking a CBE appointment.

What happens if I am late for my appointment? 

At a Test Centre, you should still present yourself as it is possible that you may still be able to sit your CBE should a vacant test slot be available. However, if you are late for your appointment and the centre has no available slots then you will be unable to sit the CBE and will forfeit your fee.  

You should aim to arrive at the Test Centre at least 15 minutes prior to the appointment time in order to allow time for the compulsory identity checks before the CBE is due to start. 

If you are sitting a remote CBE, you must login to ProProctor up to 30 minutes before your scheduled test time, but definitely no later than your test time.  If you are late logging in, you should still attempt to connect, but if you have missed your timeslot there is no obligation for Prometric to allow you to sit your remote CBE. 

Are there contact details for the Test Centres? 

No - please direct all enquiries to us by email at [email protected]. 

How do I find my way to the CBE Test Centre I have chosen? 

You will be provided with the address of and directions to the test centre when you book your appointment. 

Is there parking available at the Test Centres? 

Parking is not generally available at the Test Centres - it is suggested that you park in a nearby public car park or travel to the centre by public transport. 

What happens during the test appointment at Test Centre? 

Lockers are provided for you to secure your belongings as only the required ID documents may be taken into the testing suite (plus a basic calculator for the Principles of Accounting CBE). The CBEs are closed-book exams; you are not permitted to use any textbooks, legislation or notes. You will be shown to your allocated workstation by the invigilator. 

You must not bring any personal/unauthorised items into the testing room. Such items include but are not limited to: outerwear, hats, food, drinks, purses, briefcases, notebooks, pagers, watches, cellular telephones, recording devices, and photographic equipment. 

If you need access to an item stored in the test centre during a break such as food or medicine, you must inform the Test Centre Administrator (TCA) before you retrieve the item. You are not permitted to bring your own tissues into the test room, if you require these please ask your TCA who will happily provide you with these. 

If you are taking more than one of the CBEs at a single session an, optional 10 minute break between them will be provided. 

You are allowed to bring soft ear plugs (with no wires/cords attached) or centre-supplied tissues in the test room. 

Any clothing or jewellery items allowed to be worn in the test room must remain on your person at all times. Removed clothing or jewellery items must be stored in your locker. 

You are advised not to take valuable belongings with you to the centre, as neither Prometric nor the CIOT will be liable for any loss of or damage to your possessions. 

Please ensure that you read through the full Testing Centre Regulations on the Prometric website prior to attending your exam.

What happens if I need to leave the workstation at a Test Centre during the CBE? 

If you need to use the lavatory or take any medication during the CBE you should raise your hand to alert the invigilator. You may leave the test area temporarily but the allowed time for the test will continue to elapse while you are away. 

Am I allowed to have a pen and paper on my workstation when I am testing remotely?

No.  There is an online scratchpad you can use.

Please note the only CBE which you can have anything with you on your workstation to use is the Accounting CBE, where you can have a basic, non-scientific non-programmable calculator with you.  Please note that there is a calculator onscreen available with every question, so you do not need to have a physical calculator with you, but if it is your personal preference to have one you have that option for the Accounting CBE.

What measures are in place to prevent cheating at a Test Centre during the CBE? 

Prometric Test Centres are monitored by experienced invigilators supplemented with video recordings of the test area. The test area is constantly monitored while candidates are working. 

If you believe you have witnessed any malpractice on the part of another candidate then you are encouraged to report this, in confidence, to an invigilator who will investigate and report to the CIOT. 

Will I be asked to remove any items of clothing or jewellery? 

You will be asked to remove your watch and leave it in the secure locker allocated to you. 

You may also be asked to remove items that could cause a distraction to other candidates, such as bangles. 

What security checks are carried out prior to entry to the test area at a Test Centre? 

As well as checking your ID documents you will be screened in a similar manner to airport security. This may involve the use of a metal detector, emptying pockets and asking you to roll up your sleeves and trouser legs. 

Whilst these measures may seem intrusive they are an essential part of the process to ensure secure delivery of tests to all candidates. Please note, candidates with implanted medical devices are excused from the metal detector, however pregnant women and minors will be required to undertake this security measure. 

When and how will I be notified of my result? 

You will receive your result onscreen immediately after your exam. You will also be emailed your score within 24 hours of sitting your exam.

If you have not received this email within 24 hours of testing, please check your junk or spam folders. 

This email can also be accessed via the score report portal, which is available to a candidate to check their own result.  Details of how to access the score report portal will be in the email you receive.  

Please note we are unable to provide a breakdown of your results. 

If I am unsuccessful in a CBE, how quickly can I rebook an appointment? 

Please allow at least 24 hours before attempting to book a re-sit in order for your result to be processed fully. Attempting to book earlier than this may result in your application being declined by the online booking system or an alternative examination option being available on the Prometric site, rather than the exam you have just sat.

What can I do if I am not satisfied with my experience of the CBEs? 

In the first instance you should contact us by email at [email protected] or by letter to our normal postal address. You must do so within 21 working days of sitting the CBE concerned. 

Staff at the Test Centre will not be able to provide any feedback on the content of the CBEs or your results.

Will my Principles of Accounting CBE pass or exemption be carried across to my CIOT record in the same way as my other Computer Based Examination passes? 

If you pass the Principles of Accounting CBE, then the pass will be transferred to your CIOT student record with a validity period of nine sittings from the pass date (this is the same validity as the two CBEs in Law and Professional Responsibilities & Ethics).

How will the Principles of Accounting CBE affect me as a Tax Pathway student? 

As a Tax Pathway student you will be required to complete or become exempt from the Principles of Accounting CBE to become either ATT or CTA exam qualified. 

If an exemption from the Principles of Accounting CBE is claimed by virtue of passing the old ATT Paper 2: Business Taxation & Accounting Principles prior to 2019, then you would be required to sit the CBE to become CTA exam qualified.