RO6 Exam

kyleapt342

Hi there

Has anyone taken this exam?

I was considering booking the July sitting and taking a revision course at the end of March, all paid for by work.

Then I realised the courses generally go over the case studies sent out for the exam the week after so this wouldn't work for me.

My question to any advisers that have done this exam is, is one month enough revision time followed by a course to pass this exam?

Previous history, I have passed RO1-5 (CF1/2/4) so this is my last one, I think I'll have enough time but I'm not 100% sure on what to revise for this one.....

Kyle

bmm78

I haven't taken the exam personally, but have been involved with training and preparation, and know some of the people who set questions for it.

R06 and AF5 are predominantly exam technique. The actual technical knowledge needed to pass them is limited, and within the scope of virtually everyone who has taken other exams recently.

Many waste time with their noses buried in textbooks for R01-4, but this is often a false economy. Unless there are any significant gaps in your knowledge and areas you have never covered, technical revision should be kept to a minimum.

The low-hanging fruit is in looking at past papers, and working through the example questions. The same themes pop up frequently, and most importantly it will help you get used to how to answer succinctly and in a way that gains the most marks for the fewest words.

A common pitfall is falling into the trap of answering the question you want to come up, rather than the question being asked. It's also important to give the answer that is going to get marks, rather than the answer you think is right (that probably makes more sense when you look at the past papers). You are being marked against a model answer by someone who works full-time in the industry doing something else other than mark papers for a living. You may get the benefit of the doubt if it isn't on the model answer, but it's best to play it safe and state the obvious.

With AF5 (which is very similar), I worked through some past papers prior to the factfind, but didn't spend a significant amount of time on it prior to the factfind being published. It was then a case of blitzing the factfind for the next two weeks, assisted by a revision course and an online solution. If I could change something I would have done more mock exams under exam conditions, but other than that it seemed to go ok.

R06 is a different animal from R01-5, and requires a different approach and strategy. It is a cliche, but it is mainly about exam technique and working smart rather than working hard. Most people who fail do so not because they don't know enough, but because they fail to transfer their knowledge onto the paper in a way that is going to get marks.

dunstonh

I havent done R06 but I understand it is similar to the old FPC3 in that it is application of knowledge in the CII world (note, not real world as they still go by generics and not market forces - i.e. a friendly society plan would typically be viewed as a mis-sale nowadays in most cases but in the generic world it is still a tax efficient option).

It is not the hard facts of R01 to R05 but how you apply that knowledge and as said above by bmm78, its how you answer (as it so often the case with CII).

mania112

Passed R06 in October after missing by one mark in July (and completely mis-reading one of the questions - and realised while driving home!).

It's a technique exam - remember to state the obvious, even if that means writing the same thing for 2 different questions.

You've got the knowledge, you've passed the exams that run up to this one.

By far and away the best revision tip is to buy the workbooks, there are many, but the best I found to be Verridian - http://rdr.verridian.co.uk/courses/collection/verridian/r06-financial-planning-practice

Book the day training and the answer book.

You need 2 weeks of solid revision, you can't do much more before that because the case study isn't released until then.

bmm78

mania112 wrote: »

It's a technique exam - remember to state the obvious, even if that means writing the same thing for 2 different questions.

Yep, there's no such thing as negative marking in written CII exams (unless you say two things that are directly contradictory).

If you think it may get a mark just put it down, regardless of whether you are not 100% sure and you think you've already said the same thing three times previously in the same exam.

The marking is as objective as possible. There are no bonus marks for creating a good impression, and likewise you are not going to marked down for wild guesses.

With the right prep, anyone can pass R06. With the wrong prep, anyone can fail.

mania112

bullet point the whole thing - that way the examiner and you both know how many marks you've attempted and it helps the examiner read it.

New page for every question.

There will be alot of 'benefits and drawbacks' and 'recommend and justify' - don't get those mixed up, if it doesn't ask for recommendations don't give them. When there are two parts, separate them clearly.

Every time you key the calculator, write it down.

The examiner marks all the question 1's first, 2's next and so on. They don't remember that you know something in question 1, because it will be a few minutes before they get to your question 2. So, if you're using abbrev. make sure you reference them on every page.

One of the best online resources is revisionmate.com - there will be many people fretting over it on the forums (you probably know this from previous exams!)

mania112

Slightly off topic - does anyone have a suggestion on the best route for Mortgage Advice and Equity Release.

CEMAP seems more recognisable to the public (can you do ER with this?) but CII exams are historically what i'm used to.

kyleapt342

Hi all

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated.

In my job I speak to IFA's all day so I've heard the same points from them too.

I looked at the CII course in Birmingham for £475 for 2 days (work are covering costs otherwise i wouldn't ever have considered that!) but they say if they don't have 4 people booked then they cancel. Not too good for my none refundable train and hotel costs from Edinburgh then!

So I've gone with BWD who do a reasonably priced £185 one day course going through the case studies, money back guarantee if you fail.

I think I'll be fine with this one, my knowledge is all there but it looks like the idea is to get into the examiners head on what HE wants to see, and how to lay this out.

If anyone has any past papers they would like to share then please let me know (kyle_dale@hotmail.co.uk) , it would be hugely appreciated. I'll throw March at the papers before the course on the 28th....then the exam on the 8th.

I'd like to say this is it after this one but its never that simple is it haha. J12, CF6, ER1 here we come!

All the best.

dunstonh

I'd like to say this is it after this one but its never that simple is it haha. J12, CF6, ER1 here we come!

I know what you mean. I am thinking of adding J11 to my qualifications. Don't need it but it will do no harm and CII learning and exam at the end makes good structured CPD. I was hoping to start that last year but with so many changes in requirements and software etc, I have had to put it back.

Good luck.

kyleapt342

Thanks for that.

I will switch over and be an adviser at some stage in the future. No real rush as I enjoy my current job working with SIPP/SSAS's so I'm happy as I am, no harm in getting all the requirements ticked off early though.

Good luck yourself, all the best

crazycatlady1984

Hi all,

I know this thread is from earlier this year but as it is on R06 and seem to be a lot of people with good experience commenting on it I thought I would ask - I failed R06 by 1 mark last month, I have requested a re-mark, does anybody have any experience of CII remarking?

Fingers crossed I get it (I have no idea how likely this is) but I am going to have to book the January exam shortly anyway (if I pass on remarking they will refund this) so that is a bit frustrating, but better get it booked in case it gets booked up!

Also waiting on J02 Trusts results, anybody else sit that?

xxx