CeMap 1 EXAM HELP NEEDED!!!

BLUroma

Can anyone PLEASE give advice on how to pass CeMap 1 Unit 1. I've been studying 2-3 full-days a week for the last 4 months, have the ifs CDT (test DVD) + mock exams from a course my husband went on - was getting high 90's & 100% on these exams. Went and wrote the CeMap 1 exam last week, failed Unit 1 and only passed Unit 2 by 3 marks. YIKES!!! I was very shocked that the real test questions weren't anything like the one's on the ifs CDT or course test questions. The real exam was WAY harder and the questions quite obscure. I can't even remember any of them actually. VERY STRANGE!!! Can anyone give me some advice on how to pass it the next time I take it, which is in 2 weeks time. HELP PLEASE!!! MANY THANX ~ BLUroma

MortgageMamma

Firstly, relax. Don't go in there thinking you can't do it.

Secondly. the exams are not designed to be easy - respect that.

I have heard plenty of people say that the exams are far different from the course material - I wouldnt know as I was exempt but if you are struggling why not enrol for a proper tutored course?

BLUroma

THANX FOR YOUR RESPONSE & GREAT ADVICE! I had thought of taking a fast-track course when I first started this new career path, however the price of the courses are way out of my budget range. While I'm studying I'm only working part-time in an independent mortgage advisers office learning the business, so unfortunately can't afford £1000+ for the courses at this point...BUT, I might have to consider doing one for CeMap 2 & 3 to get more support than homestudy could ever give me. Failing Unit 1 taught me I do need more help and also need to get through it quicker as well. THANX AGAIN MortgageMamma ~ CHEERS...BLUroma

homer_j_3

Can I ask a question?

How do you "sense check" what you are learning - how do you know that your understanding is correct.

I am sure if you are the kind of person that (like me) really cannot take things in parrot fashion as they are written. I like to apply knowledge to the doing of a process and I was lucky in that sense as I passed my industry exams.

As MM says, don't panic or get disheartened. Focus your study now on the areas that you felt let you down.

MortgageMamma

could you not ask your employers to sponsor you to do the course, or ask for a study loan from them? Even if they are a small firm they might be willing to help , after all, once qualified you will be an even bigger asset to them. The courses go from £500 per exam at a local training place I know. Homer is right, you do need to check your understanding and I believe CeMAP one is also very boring so difficult to concentrate with?

Phill_555

How long ago did your husband do his course? I ask because these questions are continually reviewed and updated at least annually so many may have been withdrawn and replaced by new ones and new areas that you had not studied?

A word of warning though, the exams do get a little harder as you go through the units, and the last one is an application of knowledge exam where you will have to read case-studies and advise appropriately so you will always have to have an in-depth knowledge of what you are learning.

Hope this helps a little :-)

dunstonh

I like to apply knowledge to the doing of a process and I was lucky in that sense as I passed my industry exams.

When i did the FPCs, the bank trained us to pass the exams. Not to learn the role as that would come in time through doing the job.

Application of knowledge is when you truely learn how to do it. Getting the exams is the easy bit.

If you do have a sponsor firm then hanging around and seeing the application of the knowledge may help things to sink in quicker.

homer_j_3

When I did FPC's it was like that and the True False questions in FPC2 were a killer but luckily got through it first time.

MortgageMamma

When I did my professional qualifications I sat down and read through books with no guidance or assistance and I found the whole process very stressful. But that was back in the early 90's when regulation was a littler easlier. I got a narrow fail on my FPC3 and never went back to do it because I was embarassed in front of my colleagues I'd failed it, I'd just become a mum and I couldnt bear the thought of going through all that study material again. how I wish I'd done it now! When I did my CeMAP 2 & 3 I found it a little harder, being a mum of 3 working full time in a stressful job, and I didnt pass CeMAP 3 first time either, but I expect that was due to lack of study.

If I'd have known JoeK at the time I'd have been happy to part with the cash to make the exams easier - not promoting his service here but I didnt even know of the existence of CeMAP training companies.

The exams are just the first hurdle. it can be quite difficult to find a job if freshly cemap qualified I believe, I got off lightly being part FPC qualified I think compared to some of the struggles I here on this site. And once you are in the job, the real learning comes into play - not only do you need to learn whats been going on industry wise for probably two decades, you also need to learn about current legislation that has been brought and and stuff that is likely to become the rules.

BLUroma

THANX TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR USEFUL COMMENTS! To reply to your comments ~ 1) My husband just took his course last month, he works as a BDM for a major lender - his instructor has taken CeMap many times & has tried to make her course as real-like as possible to the real exams...TOUGH GOING!!! However, so far even in his course only "1" person has passed both Units the first time. That in itself shows how hard these exams are, even for people working in the industry. 2) I am very much a visual learner - I learn a certain amount from just reading but way more from someone explaining things thoroughly & showing me how to apply what is being taught (charts, graphs, etc). The real exam was very much scenario driven, apply what you have learnt to the real world. Homestudy hasn't given me the opportunity to learn how to apply my knowledge to the real world - I've basically just learnt facts. So homestudy hasn't given me enough of a deep-base knowledge and far less in the application of it. I did the best I could to add visual aspects into my studying by doing the exams on the CDT, doing big charts at home and having my husband quiz me (he got distinction on Unit 1). However, I do really think I would benefit way more from a class situation. 3) I already mentioned I couldn't afford £1000+ for the courses, so for CeMap 1 I homestudied, Units 2 & 3 I'll have to find the money. The other problem is there are no exam centres in Kent, most are in London, plus I'd have to pay for a hotel for a week (I live in Ashford), there's no way I could commute in for over an hour in the morning before the class starts at 9am...way too tiring. My husband is going to ask his course trainer for suggestions. 4) As far as my employer goes, she has already stretched her budget as a small company having me in 3 days a week to learn the business, so not sure if she could give any more...I'd have to ask. LASTLY...by putting this on I was wondering if anyone had any test questions that more closely resemble the real exam that I could practice on, my re-sit is in 2 weeks. THANX AGAIN, EVERYONE'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL & KIND TO RESPOND TO MY SITUATION!!! ~ BLUroma

jo1sexykitten

I failed my Cemap 1 twice before admitting I needed help! I must admit that I found cemap 2 and 3 easier than the 1st one, but have friends who found it the other way round.

I went on a training course with www.trainingrus.co.uk, Tracy is wonderful.
It was in Kent just near Brands Hatch.

Passed all exams after course first time.

We also had a guy join us on course for one day, as only failed and needed help on part of exam. Worth speaking to them.