Why Learners Get Disqualified from the CQI IRCA Online Exam – What You Must Know?

At 3FOLD Training, we are committed to helping you succeed in your CQI IRCA Approved Online Lead Auditor Courses, but that success must be earned honestly and within the rules. Some learners are unfortunately disqualified due to preventable mistakes and non-compliance with exam regulations.

To help you avoid this, we’ve compiled a complete guide to common disqualification reasons, based on the official CQI IRCA Online Exam Guidelines and real cases we’ve encountered.

⚠️ Common Reasons Learners Get Disqualified

Here’s what can lead to an automatic “Disqualified” result, even if you pass the exam:

❌ Violating Exam Room Requirements

• • Taking the exam in a noisy or public location

  • Poor lighting or sitting backlit, making your face hard to detect

  • Room setup where your screen is visible to others

  • Using a location where you can be interrupted

❌ Webcam, Identity & Visibility Issues

• • Face not fully visible during the exam (e.g., covered by hood, cap, sunglasses)

  • Ears not visible (especially if wearing a headscarf — ears must be shown)

  • Not presenting valid photo ID for verification

  • Webcam or microphone turned off during any part of the exam

  • Out of frame or constantly moving away from the webcam

❌ Inappropriate Behavior During Exam

• • Talking to someone, making unnecessary noises, or leaving your seat without using the ‘Take a Break’ button

  • Smoking or vaping

  • Eating food or drinking without caution (spillage may end exam)

  • Communicating with someone else during the exam (even briefly)

❌ Use of Unauthorized Devices or Internet

• • Using mobile phones, smartwatches, headphones, tablets, or calculators

  • Searching the internet for answers

  • Running background apps or receiving pop-up messages during the exam

  • Copying, recording, or sharing exam content in any form

  • 2-in-1/hybrid laptops with front and rear cameras are not permitted.

❌ Impersonation or Misrepresentation

• • Having someone else take the exam on your behalf

  • Receiving external help (proxy test taker, chat-based support, etc.)

If any of these are detected by CQI IRCA proctoring system or human review team, your exam will be flagged and investigated. This can result in permanent disqualification from all CQI IRCA exams.

✅ 3FOLD’s Commitment: Preventing Disqualification

Before your exam, we send all learners the CQI IRCA Online Exam Guidelines and provide access to:

• • Practice portal to check system readiness

  • A checklist for exam-day preparation

  • Support ticket guidance for reporting technical issues

Please make sure you:

1. 1. Use a laptop or desktop (not mobile/tablet)

   2. Have a stable internet connection and your device fully charged or plugged in

   3. Run a system test, check webcam and microphone

   4. Have your photo ID and ISO standard ready

   5. Sit in a quiet, private, and well-lit room

   6. Remove all unauthorized devices

   7. Do not open pop-ups or receive notifications

 

Note:

1. 1. You may use a second screen if you need to access a digital version of the standards and/or your course notes.
   2. If using a laptop, we recommend you connect to an external monitor to optimise your online exam experience.