What to Expect from the 2024 FIFA Football Agent Exams

Passing the FIFA Football Agent Exam.Series 3: The World of Football Agents

Introduction

As the 2024 FIFA Football Agent Exams approach, scheduled for May 22nd and an unconfirmed date in November, aspiring football agents are gearing up for a career-defining moment. For those that are perhaps reattempting the exam this year and for those looking to begin their preparation from the start, there’s crucial changes in the examinable content that candidates must be aware of. In this blog, we will explain how this year’s exam will work and explain the best way you should prepare using the FIFA Study Materials.

Key Points About the FIFA Exam Itself

The 2024 FIFA Football Agent Exam generally follows the same procedures as last year’s exam. The first point to note is the limited availability of the exam in just three languages: English, Spanish, and French. Remember also that candidates are now required to physically sit the exam at designated locations under strict ‚exam conditions‘, and the hope is that in 2024 this will be more seamlessly organised, avoiding some of the logistical issues we saw last year. It remains essential for candidates to provide their own laptop and ensure a stable internet connection for the digital exam. Any internet disruptions during the exam could possibly invalidate the attempt, requiring reapplication at a later date.

National Associations will provide venues where candidates can attempt the exam in person, hoping to ensure a regulated and suitable assessment environment. Upon arrival at the venue, candidates must present personal identification and proof of exam fee payment. Only a candidate’s laptop and a device for creating an internet hotspot are allowed in the exam venue. Other items, such as earphones, devices with internet access, and mobile phones, must be switched off and kept away during the exam. Personal notes and materials are allowed, however, due to the ‚open book‘ nature of the exam, but they must be physical as the use of computer software like Google is prohibited.

FIFA is committed to transparency and fair conduct during the exam. Hence, further standard exam rules apply, including no communication between candidates, attempts to copy answers, or causing disruptions. Leaving the exam without consent, recording the exam, sharing questions externally, or impersonating others are strictly prohibited and will be monitored by administrators and invigilators.

Passing Requirements

Once seated and accepted, candidates will access the online exam and have a designated time to complete it. The exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, with a 60-minute time limit. These questions involve scenarios and case studies, requiring candidates to select the best

answer. Despite the ‚open book‘ nature, quick thinking, prior knowledge and a strong navigation technique are essential, given the limited time available. The passing score will once again be 75%, or 15 correct answers out of 20. FIFA aims to maintain a challenging exam, akin to previous years before deregulation in 2015 and as was seen in 2023.

Candidates can then expect to receive their exam results within seven business days. Those who don’t pass will be informed about retesting opportunities in November, or the chance to review their previous attempt, but the result cannot be appealed unless exceptional circumstances existed that affected many candidates, as was seen in England in September 2023. For successful candidates, instructions for completing the licensing procedure will be provided.

FFAR Changes = Exam Changes

Remember that the documents within the FIFA Study Materials are used by FIFA to generate questions that will arise in the exam. Questions will assess candidate knowledge of the FIFA Statutes, Disciplinary Code, Code of Ethics, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal, Clearing House Regulations, Football Agent Regulations, Safeguarding Essentials. We will delve into detail on all of these individually in future blogs but for now it is important to highlight how the examinable material slightly differs this year.

In 2023, all provisions of the new FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) were key to preparation for those hoping to pass the exam. After the recent circular from FIFA suspending certain provisions, this has also brought about substantial adjustments to what agents must answer questions upon in the exam. 

Most importantly, the several key provisions in the FFAR that have been suspended will no longer be examined in this year’s exams. These provisions include:

  • Service Fee Cap (Article 15, Paragraphs 1-4)
  • Rules Concerning Service Fee Payments (Article 14, Paragraphs 6, 8, and 11)
  • The “Client Pays” Rule (Article 14, Paragraphs 2 and 10)
  • Rules Regarding the Timing of Service Fee Payments (Article 14, Paragraphs 7 and 12)
  • Prohibition of Dual Representation (Article 12, Paragraphs 8-10)
  • Reporting Obligations (Article 16, Paragraphs 2 h), j), k), and 4)
  • Rules Regarding Disclosure and Publication (Article 19)

This is vital to remember as aspiring agents preparing for the 2024 FIFA Football Agent Exams can focus their efforts on other aspects of the FIFA Study Materials and ensure that you cover the right areas. The other core content remains essential for success. However, candidates can now allocate their study time more efficiently, knowing that these specific provisions will not be examined this year.

Summary

The exam is the most important step towards becoming a FIFA-licensed football agent in 2024. We hope that this blog and the rest of our resources can help you to adapt your study plan to these changes and understand how best to prepare for the exam. Stay focused and stay informed, ensuring that your preparation aligns with the examination requirements.

Don’t forget, as well as our free resources available below and new additions weekly until the exam, if you want to take your preparation one step further, our next 8-hour comprehensive online How to Pass the FIFA Agent Exam Course with Dr Erkut Sogut and top sports lawyer, Daniel Geey, is taking place on 20th April 2024 and is open for registration through the link!

As always, best of luck to all aspiring agents preparing for the 2024 FIFA Football Agent Exams!

The Essential Resources List

There will be more to come in the coming weeks and months so be sure to follow the Sports Agent Academy for more useful resources!

by Dr. Erkut Sogut & Jamie Khan

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