The CCIM comprehensive exam is the final hurdle between you and the most prestigious designation in commercial real estate. After months of coursework and thousands of dollars invested, the last thing you want is exam day logistics to trip you up.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what materials you can bring, which calculator is required, how the exam is structured, and strategies for managing your time across six demanding hours. We've also included a printable checklist you can use the night before to ensure nothing is forgotten.
Preparation beats anxiety. Let's make sure exam day goes smoothly.
CCIM Exam Format Overview
Before diving into logistics, let's establish what you're walking into. The CCIM comprehensive exam is unlike most standardized tests you've taken.
Full-day exam, typically 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or similar. Plan for an exhausting but focused day.
You can bring course materials, notes, and reference guides. But relying too heavily on them will cost you time.
Integrated scenarios requiring analysis across all four course domains—not isolated multiple-choice questions.
You're measured against a standard, not curved against other test-takers. Everyone can pass if everyone performs well.
What the Exam Tests
The comprehensive exam integrates material from all four designation courses:
- CI 101 – Financial Analysis: Time value of money, cash flow projections, IRR, NPV, mortgage calculations
- CI 102 – Market Analysis: Supply/demand analysis, market cycles, location analysis, absorption rates
- CI 103 – User Decision Analysis: Lease vs. buy decisions, space analysis, tenant requirements, build-to-suit
- CI 104 – Investment Analysis: Deal structuring, risk analysis, portfolio considerations, development feasibility
Critically, questions don't test these domains in isolation. A single case study might require you to analyze market conditions (CI 102), project cash flows (CI 101), evaluate a tenant's space needs (CI 103), and make an investment recommendation (CI 104)—all in one integrated problem.
Yes, the exam is open book. No, that doesn't make it easier. Candidates who constantly flip through materials run out of time. The open-book format assumes you've internalized concepts and only need references for specific formulas or edge cases. Treat it as "open book for emergencies," not "open book so I don't need to study."
Calculator Requirements (Critical)
This is the most important piece of exam day logistics. Get it wrong, and you cannot take the exam.
Why the HP 10B II Specifically?
The CCIM curriculum is built around the HP 10B II financial calculator. All four courses teach calculations using this specific model. The keystrokes, function locations, and workflows you've practiced for months are designed for this calculator.
Using a different calculator—even a "better" one like the HP 12C—would mean relearning workflows under exam pressure. That's a recipe for disaster.
Calculator Preparation Checklist
- Install fresh batteries: Do this 2-3 days before the exam, not the night before. New batteries can occasionally behave differently—give yourself time to notice any issues.
- Bring a backup calculator: A second HP 10B II with fresh batteries. If your primary fails mid-exam, you can't pause to fix it.
- Verify settings: Check that your calculator is set to the correct number of decimal places and payments per year settings you're accustomed to.
- Practice key sequences: Run through IRR, NPV, amortization, and other common calculations the day before to confirm everything works.
HP 10B II+ — Looks similar but has different functions and is NOT approved.
HP 12C — Industry standard for finance but not permitted for CCIM.
Texas Instruments calculators — Not approved.
Phone calculator apps — Electronic devices are prohibited.
Any programmable calculator — Not permitted.
What Materials Can You Bring?
The open-book format allows you to bring reference materials, but there are rules about what's permitted.
✅ Allowed Materials
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| CCIM Course Materials | Textbooks, workbooks, and handouts from CI 101, CI 102, CI 103, and CI 104 |
| Personal Notes | Handwritten or typed notes you created during or after courses |
| Formula Sheets | Summaries of key formulas and calculator keystroke sequences |
| HP 10B II Calculator | Your primary calculator plus a backup (both HP 10B II only) |
| Writing Instruments | Pencils, erasers, highlighters for working through problems |
| Tabs and Bookmarks | Sticky tabs to mark important sections for quick reference |
| Snacks and Water | For consumption during breaks (check specific venue rules) |
🚫 Prohibited Materials
| Material | Why It's Prohibited |
|---|---|
| Electronic Devices | Phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches must be turned off and stored |
| Non-HP 10B II Calculators | Only the specific HP 10B II model is approved |
| Non-CCIM Reference Books | External textbooks, downloaded materials, or third-party guides |
| Pre-Solved Problems | You can't bring completed case studies or worked examples from other sources |
| Communication Devices | Anything that could be used to communicate with others during the exam |
Organizing Your Materials
Bringing materials is only helpful if you can find what you need quickly. Here's how to organize:
- Tab your course books: Use colored sticky tabs to mark key sections—one color for formulas, another for concept definitions, etc.
- Create a master formula sheet: A single page with the formulas you use most frequently, organized by course domain
- Prepare a calculator keystroke guide: Step-by-step sequences for IRR, NPV, loan amortization, and other common calculations
- Don't over-pack: A mountain of materials you can't navigate is worse than a streamlined set you know inside out
Organize your materials as if you hope to never open them. Your goal is to know the content well enough that references are a backup, not a crutch. The candidates who pass most comfortably are those who rarely need to look things up.
Complete Exam Day Checklist
Use this checklist the night before and the morning of your exam. We've made it printable—hit the print button to create a physical copy.
Exam Day Timeline
Knowing what to expect throughout the day helps you pace yourself and manage energy. Here's a typical CCIM exam day timeline:
Note: Exact times vary by exam administration. The schedule above assumes an 8:30 AM start time—adjust based on your actual exam instructions.
Time Management Strategies
Six hours sounds like plenty of time—until you're in the middle of the exam watching minutes disappear. Here's how to manage your time effectively:
Before You Start Answering
- Scan the entire exam first: Take 5-10 minutes to flip through all sections. Note which questions look straightforward and which seem complex.
- Calculate your time budget: If there are 6 case studies, you have roughly 1 hour each. Adjust based on point values if provided.
- Identify quick wins: Some questions may be answerable quickly. Don't save easy points for last when fatigue hits.
During the Exam
- Set checkpoint times: At 2 hours, you should be ~1/3 done. At 4 hours, ~2/3 done. If you're behind, adjust.
- Don't get stuck: If a problem is taking too long, mark it and move on. Return after completing other sections.
- Watch calculator errors: Double-check key calculations. One wrong number can cascade through an entire problem.
- Read questions carefully: Make sure you're answering what's actually asked, not what you assume is asked.
Break Strategy
Breaks are permitted but time continues to run. Use them strategically:
- Keep breaks short: 5-7 minutes maximum. Use the restroom, drink water, eat a quick snack.
- Time them wisely: Take a break after completing a section, not in the middle of a problem.
- Refresh mentally: Stand up, stretch, close your eyes for 30 seconds. Reset your focus.
Candidates spend 90 minutes on one problem trying to get it perfect, then rush through 3 other sections. This is backwards. It's better to score 70% on five sections than 100% on two sections and 30% on three others. Manage your time across the entire exam, not just within individual problems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from candidates who came before you. These mistakes cost points:
Flipping through books for every question wastes time. Know the material; use references only for specifics.
You should be able to solve 80%+ of calculations without looking anything up.
Diving straight into Question 1 without scanning the whole exam leads to poor time allocation.
Spend 5-10 minutes understanding the full exam before answering anything.
If partial credit is available, showing your work can rescue points even if the final answer is wrong.
Write down your approach, assumptions, and calculations. Make your reasoning clear.
Mixing up dollars, percentages, square feet, or per-year vs. per-month values leads to wrong answers.
Always include units in your work. "$150,000/year" is clearer than just "150,000."
Assuming the calculator is right without sanity-checking results. Garbage in = garbage out.
If your IRR is 150% or your cap rate is 0.5%, something went wrong. Check your inputs.
A blank answer is guaranteed zero. An attempt might earn partial credit.
Even if you're uncertain, write something. Show your reasoning for partial credit potential.
The Night Before
What you do in the final 24 hours matters more than you think.
✅ Do This the Night Before
- Light review only: Flip through your formula sheet and keystroke guide. Don't try to learn new material.
- Pack everything: Use the checklist above. Put all materials by the door.
- Confirm logistics: Double-check the exam venue address, parking situation, and start time.
- Set multiple alarms: Don't risk sleeping through your exam.
- Eat a balanced dinner: Avoid heavy, greasy food that might disrupt sleep.
- Get to bed early: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep. You need mental sharpness for 6 hours of focus.
- Lay out comfortable clothes: Dress in layers you can adjust based on room temperature.
🚫 Don't Do This the Night Before
- All-night cramming: Exhaustion hurts performance more than one more hour of study helps.
- Alcohol: Even one drink can affect sleep quality and next-day cognition.
- New study material: Encountering unfamiliar concepts creates anxiety. Stick to review.
- Doom-scrolling pass rate statistics: You've prepared. Trust your preparation.
- Heavy exercise: Light movement is fine, but don't exhaust yourself.
You've invested months of time, thousands of dollars, and countless hours of study. You've learned more about commercial real estate finance than 95% of practitioners. Tomorrow is your chance to prove it. Trust your preparation, manage your time, and approach the exam with confidence. You've got this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only the HP 10B II financial calculator is approved for the CCIM comprehensive exam. The HP 10B II+ (with the plus sign), HP 12C, Texas Instruments calculators, and all other models are prohibited. Bring your own—calculators are not provided at the exam site.
Yes, the CCIM comprehensive exam is open book. You can bring your course materials from CI 101-104, personal notes, formula sheets, and reference guides. However, the exam is designed so that heavy reliance on materials will cause you to run out of time. Know the material well and use references only for specific formulas or edge cases.
The exam is 6 hours long (360 minutes). It's a full-day commitment, typically starting in the morning. Breaks are permitted but the clock keeps running. Most candidates find the time challenging, so practicing under timed conditions before exam day is essential.
Yes, you can typically bring water and snacks for consumption during breaks. However, confirm specific policies with your exam venue, as rules may vary. Keep snacks simple and non-disruptive (nothing with loud wrappers or strong smells).
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.). Your name on the ID should match your exam registration. Also bring your exam confirmation email or registration documentation.
Scratch paper policies vary by exam venue. Some provide scratch paper; others allow you to bring your own. Check with your specific exam administration for their policy. You can always use the margins and blank spaces in your course materials for calculations.
This is why bringing a backup HP 10B II is essential. If your primary calculator fails, you can immediately switch to your backup. Install fresh batteries in both calculators 2-3 days before the exam. Exam proctors will not provide replacement calculators.
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. This gives you time to find the room, get settled, use the restroom, and address any unexpected issues. Being rushed before a 6-hour exam adds unnecessary stress.
Final Thoughts: You're More Ready Than You Feel
Exam day nerves are normal. Every CCIM who came before you felt them too. But here's the truth: if you've completed the four courses, engaged with the material, and prepared thoughtfully, you have what it takes.
The logistics covered in this guide—the right calculator, organized materials, smart time management—are within your control. Nail these basics, and you remove unnecessary obstacles that trip up less-prepared candidates.
Six hours from now (or six weeks, depending on when you're reading this), you'll walk out of that exam room. Make it a victory walk.
Good luck. You've got this. And when you pass—you'll have earned those four letters after your name.
Final Prep: Practice Under Exam Conditions
Test your knowledge with timed practice questions covering all four CCIM course domains before exam day.