With a pass rate of 45% at the Winter 2022 sitting, you may be wondering how you can make sure you are successful in this exam. With an average of 1.8 minutes per mark, you need to apply your knowledge and exam technique quickly and effectively. It’s perfectly achievable if you study the syllabus and develop your exam technique to maximise marks.
Looking at the three exam sections in turn:
Section A
There are ten questions, each with four marks from across the syllabus. You may have calculation, descriptive, or analytical questions. It’s important to apply your knowledge and answer the question asked correctly. Most people who are unsuccessful haven’t answered the question fully enough. You should aim to pick up as many marks as you can in this section.
Section B
This section is worth twenty marks and you select one essay to write from three alternatives. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on regulation requiring an in-depth knowledge of this area to do well in the section. Ensuring you have a detailed understanding of a range of regulatory topics will enable you to write a good answer. Although regulation tends to focus more on knowledge and understanding rather than discussion, you may still be asked to carry out some analysis in this or other syllabus areas.
Section C
You will be given a case study with questions to answer with a total of forty marks. The topics vary so you will need a good understanding of the syllabus in order to demonstrate to the examiner that you can analyse something in depth. It will test the process in dealing with a private client and analysing their position in relation to their objectives. The marks allocated to each question vary so consider where to spend your time. Twenty-mark questions require a well-structured, in depth answer written in 35-40 minutes.
The correct preparation is essential to pass this exam. Read the textbook, build up your knowledge and practise answering past questions as you work through the syllabus. Write structured answers in a timed situation so that you’re ready for the exam before moving on to the next topic.
We know what high scoring answers look like and we coach our delegates to write in a structured way even for short answer questions. If you would like to join a course, our workshops are interactive where you can ask questions and join in with discussions about case studies and past papers. By limiting our courses to a maximum of twelve people, we get to know each individual and coach them for the exam. This provides a high-quality learning experience that we feel is vital at this level. Our recommended route to exam success is our comprehensive course that includes four, two-day workshops, online materials, email tutor support, 1:1 support as needed and a marked paper.
We pride ourselves in offering the highest level of support. We also offer a two-day revision course for people who wish to study alone and would like a refresher of the main areas of the syllabus and some help with exam technique.
Early booking is recommended to secure a place on the course.





