FFI’s CI Exam — Frequently Asked Questions answers the practical questions candidates ask before test day. The answers below are the FAQ’s own.

Download the FAQ (PDF, 258 KB) · original on flyfishersinternational.org

Preparation

What is the most important thing I need to do to prepare? Find an MCI mentor who is current with the CI exam requirements. FFI keeps a worldwide list of Master Casting Instructors, most of whom are willing to help if asked. Long-distance mentoring works.

Do I need a mentor? Not required — but at minimum find someone well versed in the test and how it is carried out. Mentors “almost always help”.

How long does preparation usually take? It varies with initial skill level, commitment and the time spent preparing.

How do I prepare for the teaching tasks? Teach as much as you can, preferably alongside an FFI certified instructor. Work from the CI Test with Tips notes, which set out the required elements of each teaching task, and prepare an outline of how you would teach those elements clearly, concisely and in an organised way. Practise the lesson until you can give it without hesitation.

What is covered in the written exam? Casting mechanics, fly tackle, knots, teaching, and fishing knowledge. See the paper exam page for the study map.

How will I know when I am ready? When multiple, successful pre-tests indicate your readiness.

Test day

How is the day structured? Candidates attend the workshop and take the written exam together. Performance exams follow — usually, but not always, the same day. When they are on the same day you get a break beforehand.

What happens in the performance exam? The lead examiner introduces the examining team — two examiners, sometimes with one or two examiners-in-training. You are given an overview of the process, may ask questions, and get time to warm up before the exam begins.

Are spectators allowed? No. Spectators are not allowed during the examination.

Structure, scoring and retakes

Does a workshop at an FFI fair count as the CI Exam workshop? No. The CI Exam Workshop is an element of a scheduled CI exam and must be administered by examiners.

What is the purpose of the CI Exam Workshop? To inform candidates about the Casting Instructor Certification Program, its history, and the fact that this is an instructor certification. It is not designed to prepare you for the exam.

If I fail the written test, can I still take the performance exam that day? Yes — but if you pass, you must retake the written test on another date within one year.

If I pass the written exam and fail the performance exam, do I need to retake the written exam? No, as long as you retake the performance test within one year. Take longer than a year and you must retake the written test as well.

The exam allows no more than 2 failed Casting Demonstration tasks. What about 2 Fails plus a Borderline, or 1 Fail and 3 Borderlines, or 5 Borderlines? All of those count as 2.5 failures, and the test requires 2 or fewer. A Borderline is half a fail: two Borderlines equal one Fail.

Do I need to use the full 7 minutes for each teaching task? No. The evaluation form addresses the time considerations.

The FAQ is FFI’s material, reproduced here for study. Always check the current version.