CF5 Advice

Brum_Man

TH1878 wrote: »

Good luck! Is the CeFA 4 exam multiple choice?

Yes it is, just one of the reasons why I think CeFA is quite a bit easier.

TH1878

Yeah, I asked that because one of my friends passed CeFA 4 but narrowly failed CF5. Just curious.

Mr_Mumble

TH1878 wrote: »

Actually for CF5, the folder they give you is virtually useless. The case studies book (available for an extra £60-70 quid - rip off merchants!) is much more useful though.

I agree that Dunstonh is wrong about the CF5 coursebook being the only thing you require. Brushing up on your CF1-CF4 knowledge is essential for the first half of the exam and doing mock case studies/past papers makes the second half a lot easier.

I don't agree that the CF5 coursebook is "virtually useless" however. It does cover the (slim) syllabus, the final chapter gives tips on passing the exam and there are a couple of case studies included. You are sent an exam guide detailing how the questions are constructed, what key words mean and the product list prior to the exam too.

Personally I passed CF5 last year referring to just the CFP coursebooks and a single CF5 specimen paper. In hindsight I should have done more specimen papers. While I found the second half of the exam to be relatively easy (I concur with Brum Man's comments) the time constraints of constructing and justifying a portfolio in less than an hour was troublesome. Practice, learning the product list and not overly-complicating the portfolio is my advice for anyone having similar troubles.

dunstonh

I agree that Dunstonh is wrong about the CF5 coursebook being the only thing you require.

I have no experience of the CF5 coursebook. Just CF2 and the J0x modules and for those the coursebooks are very good. It sounds like the CF5 is a bit more like the old FPC3. That had a reputation for being measured by how you answered rather than what you answered. It was an application of knowledge in a couple of scenarios. In which case coursebooks would not be ideal. Knowing how they want the answers presented was important.

TH1878

Mr_Mumble wrote: »

I don't agree that the CF5 coursebook is "virtually useless" however. It does cover the (slim) syllabus, the final chapter gives tips on passing the exam and there are a couple of case studies included. You are sent an exam guide detailing how the questions are constructed, what key words mean and the product list prior to the exam too.

So one chapter is useful then..... All of the above are covered in the specimen papers in more detail anyway.

For the record I passed it with just the CF5 folder but did a few specimen papers as well. My friend showed me the additional specimen paper booklet and I did a few of those - I'm in no doubt you could pass the exam with just your CF1-4 folders and the specimen paper booklet.

Brum_Man

dunstonh wrote: »

It sounds like the CF5 is a bit more like the old FPC3

Correct, they are one in the same. It was just re-numbered when FPC 2 was broken down and CF2 was added.

dunstonh wrote: »

That had a reputation for being measured by how you answered rather than what you answered. It was an application of knowledge in a couple of scenarios

That's exactly what the 2nd half of the paper is, it's not what you know it's about answering the question in the way they want you to.

TH1878

dunstonh wrote: »

I have no experience of the CF5 coursebook. Just CF2 and the J0x modules and for those the coursebooks are very good. It sounds like the CF5 is a bit more like the old FPC3. That had a reputation for being measured by how you answered rather than what you answered. It was an application of knowledge in a couple of scenarios. In which case coursebooks would not be ideal. Knowing how they want the answers presented was important.

Spot on - it's easy once you know how they want it answered but whether it's applicable in real life is debatable.

dunstonh

So you still get the extra mark for putting a total on the portfolio. And of course you should use non-commission paying products as a priority. Especially NS&I.

Brum_Man

dunstonh wrote: »

So you still get the extra mark for putting a total on the portfolio. And of course you should use non-commission paying products as a priority. Especially NS&I.

Exactly. Just like you do in real life

TH1878

dunstonh wrote: »

So you still get the extra mark for putting a total on the portfolio. And of course you should use non-commission paying products as a priority. Especially NS&I.

Yep - sure is