CMFAS M9 Passing Score & Exam Format: A 2026 Breakdown

If you are sitting for the CMFAS M9 (Life Insurance And Investment-Linked Policies) exam soon, you probably have one burning question: "What is the bare minimum I need to pass?"

Unlike school exams where 50% gets you a pass, professional licensing exams in Singapore have a much higher bar.

Here is the complete breakdown of the 2026 exam format, the passing criteria, and how to manage your time effectively during the 2-hour paper.

The Passing Score: 70% (The "Safe Zone")

You need to answer 70 out of 100 questions correctly.

This sounds forgiving—you can get 30 questions wrong and still pass. However, do not let this "Buffer" fool you. As we covered in our analysis of the M9 exam difficulty, specific "Killer Chapters" can wipe out that buffer instantly.

• The Calculation Risk: If you are weak at Math (Chapters 2 & 9), you might lose 15-20 marks just on calculation questions.
• The Law Risk: If you also misunderstand the "Law of Agency" (Chapter 15), you lose another 10 marks.
• Result: You are suddenly at 70/100. One silly mistake pushes you into the "Fail" zone (69%).

Strategy: Aim for 85% in your practice mocks. If you are consistently scoring 70-75% at home, you are at high risk of failing the real exam due to nerves. We have compiled a list of the top 3 M9 mock exam providers here.

The Format: 100 Questions vs. "The Wall"

The M9 exam is a test of endurance.

• Questions 1-50: Usually cover basics (Product types, Riders). Most candidates breeze through these.
• Questions 51-80: Often hit the heavier "Process" topics (Underwriting, Claims, Fact-Find).
• Questions 81-100: Can feel like a slog as fatigue sets in.

Our exam simulator mimics the actual 2-hour countdown so you learn to manage your pacing.

The "Time Trap":

You have 120 minutes for 100 questions. That is 1.2 minutes per question.

• Theory questions take 30 seconds.
• Calculation questions (finding the Net Premium) can take 3-4 minutes.

If you spend 5 minutes fighting with a calculation question early in the paper, you will run out of time for the easy theory questions at the end.

Negative Marking? (The Guessing Strategy)

Good News: There is NO negative marking in the CMFAS M9 exam.

• Correct Answer: +1 Mark
• Wrong Answer: 0 Marks
• Blank Answer: 0 Marks

The Strategy: Never leave a question blank.

If you have 1 minute left and 5 unanswered questions, select "C" (or any random option) for all of them. You have a 25% statistical chance of getting a free mark. Leaving it blank guarantees a zero.

Computer-Based Exam (CBE) Features

The exam is conducted on a computer at the SCI center (or approved location). You should familiarize yourself with these standard features:

1. The "Flag" Button: Use this! If a calculation question is taking too long, click "Flag" and move on. The system will let you review all flagged questions at the end.
2. The Calculator: The computer may have an on-screen calculator, but do not rely on it. It is clunky. Always bring your own physical, approved calculator (e.g., Casio FC 100V).

Summary: How to secure your 70%

Passing M9 isn't about being a genius; it's about Risk Management.

1. Secure the "Easy" Marks: Master the definition chapters (Riders, Annuities). Then, test yourself against tricky calculation scenarios to ensure you can handle the math.
2. Contain the "Hard" Marks: Practice calculations step-by-step so they don't eat up your clock.
3. Use the Buffer: You have 30 "lives" to lose. Don't panic if you don't know an answer. Flag it, guess it, and move on.

Want to know if you can hit 70% today?

Take a free diagnostic quiz on our simulator to get a feel of the exam.