OnVUE online proctored exams are exams delivered via the Pearson VUE OnVUE system that can enable CFA UK candidates to sit their exams securely at home/work via internet‐based testing.

During an online proctored exam, your ID is authenticated remotely, and online proctors monitor 100% of your exam session in real time via your webcam and audio equipment. At test centres, your ID is verified by test centre staff and your exam session is monitored by test centre proctors (invigilators). In all other respects (such as exam duration), the exam remains the same whether taken in a test centre or via OnVUE online proctoring and candidates receive the same certification for all CFA UK examinations.

Candidates can still choose to sit their CFA UK exam at a Pearson VUE test centre, subject to availability.

Yes. Candidates can schedule exams via OnVUE online proctored exams globally with the following exceptions: 

List of countries and region where OnVue is not delivered due to OFAC related sanction:

• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Sudan
• Syria
• Crimea and Sevastopol region 

General Country Restrictions

The online proctor exam delivery system has very specific technical, system, environment, and testing protocol requirements, which may not be supported in some countries. Pearson VUE does not deliver OP exams in following countries: 

• China
• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Sudan

OnVue is available in Zimbabwe.

No. Your CFA UK qualification registration fee includes your exam sitting fee, provided that you sit your exam within 12 months of the date of registration. Candidates can choose whether to sit their exam at a test centre or via OnVUE online proctoring, both of which are subject to availability.

No – candidates who have already registered for their CFA UK examination do not need to re-register to take the exam via OnVUE. For new candidates, there is no change to the existing registration process.

If you have already scheduled an exam in a test centre, you will need to cancel this exam booking before being able to schedule an OnVUE online proctored exam.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring the suitability of their own technical equipment before scheduling an OnVUE online proctored exam. Candidates must provide their own computer for testing:

• Mac or Windows
• Functional webcam
• OnVUE software downloaded
• Specified minimum internet speed
• Private space to test (uninterrupted) and a clean desk

A full list of system requirements can be found here. 

Candidates should run the Systems test before scheduling an OnVUE exam to confirm they meet the system the requirements.

To minimise problems with WiFi connectivity, CFA UK advises candidates to use a wired internet connection when taking their examination.

Internet speed tests measure the speed of your internet connection. Your connection speed includes things like download speed and upload speed. There are many websites which offer alink to test the speed of your internet. For example:

• Go to www.google.com
•  Search for ‘internet speed test’
• Tap or click ‘Run Speed Test’

Google partners with Measurement Lab (M‐Lab) to run this test.

Candidates should submit a reasonable adjustment request with CFA UK before scheduling their exam. Some reasonable adjustments may not be available in an OnVUE online proctored exam.

For more information on Reasonable Adjustments, please see our Exam Policies page.

Once you have received your registration booking confirmation, you need to wait two working days. At that point, you may log onto the Pearson VUE website and schedule your exam. You will have the option of scheduling your exam in a test centre or via OnVUE online proctoring. Please note: it is essential that you check your device meets the systems requirements for OnVUE online proctored exams (se below) and run the systems test before scheduling your exam via OnVUE.

Candidates are advised to pay particular attention to the setting of the scheduling clock when scheduling a time for their OnVUE examination. The scheduling clock can be viewed as a 12-hour clock, or a 24-hour clock. Both clocks have clear ‘Morning’ and ‘Afternoon’ headings. Candidates are also advised to check that they are scheduling for the correct time zone.

Please note: An examination time of 12am on the 12-hour clock, will be for 12 midnight and not 12 noon. Please see the examples below of the different clock settings.

OnVUE online proctored exams are offered Monday to Saturday, 24 hours a day, subject to availability.

Yes – normal scheduling requirements apply (ie you must allow a minimum of 72 hours before your scheduled exam time to be able to reschedule). You will need to cancel your test centre exam in order to reschedule your exam as an OnVUE online proctored exam via logging into the Pearson VUE website.

Phone and chat online chat support is available before the exam. Chat support is available during the exam.

Please note that PearsonVUE phone support is available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. CFA UK phone support is available 9:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday.

During the check‐in process, it is important that you enter a valid telephone number that you can be contacted on. If you have technical difficulties, the proctor will contact you on this telephone number and provide assistance, where they can, to resume your exam. If the technical difficulties can be resolved, you will be able to continue with your exam. If not, your exam will be terminated, and you may need to re‐register with CFA UK and pay the associated registration fee in order to schedule another exam.

The OnVUE proctor will not allow you to move away from the webcam view after they join you. Mobile telephones must be placed out of arm’s reach during the examination. Therefore, candidates are advised to put their telephone on silent mode so as not to be disturbed in the exam. 

No – you must not have any pens or papers within the immediate vicinity of your testing workspace. Failure to remove prohibited materials may result in your examination being revoked.

An onscreen whiteboard is available for you to use. Further information on the whiteboard can be found here.

You can access an online demonstration of the whiteboard here.

Candidates who sit exams in test centres will be provided with physical wipe boards to make notes on.

No breaks, including toilet breaks, are permitted in an OnVUE online proctored exam. If you leave your computer during your exam the proctor will end your session and you will be unable to continue testing.

Candidates are advised to schedule their exam in a test centre if they feel that they will be unable to complete their exam without a toilet break.

Water in a clear glass is allowed during testing; however, eating, smoking (including electronic cigarettes,) and chewing gum are prohibited.

All candidates taking a CFA UK exam will now receive their exam result on the screen at the end of the exam. This applies to candidates testing in test centres as well as candidates taking their exam via OnVUE online proctoring. At the end of your exam, you may also access your provisional grade report via your Candidate Dashboard on the Pearson VUE website.

No – handheld calculators are no-longer permitted. Please see our calculator policy for further information. 

On exam day, candidates will download the OnVUE application. This simple download works on both Mac and PC and does not require computer administrative rights. 

OnVUE will then prompt the candidate to take photos of the following with their smartphone: 

• Head-shot 
• Government-issued ID (back and front)

Please see the OnVUE Setup and Check-in guide for further information

AI tools perform identity verification. If the AI screening approves the ID and photos, the candidate will be able to begin the exam with a proctor. If it does not, the candidate will be automatically connected to a live greeter who manually performs the ID verification and instructs the candidate to make necessary modifications to the testing environment. 

If they pass all security checks, they’ll then be joined by a proctor and the exam will begin The secure browser function of the OnVUE application locks down the candidate’s computer so they are unable to copy/paste, print, access other applications, or share content while progressing through the exam.