R04: Why Does Pensions and Retirement Planning Feel Like Such a Big Subject?
Pensions is one of those units where it can feel as though every topic opens the door to another topic. That is not because you are doing anything wrong. It is because R04 is a big, technical exam with lots of moving parts. At its core, R04 tests your knowledge of the three main types […]
R03 is not Simply a Memory Test: 5 Tips to Tackle (and Win!)
R03 has a reputation for being challenging…and it is easy to see why.. 50 questions in 60 minutes can be tough going! R03 brings together all the different taxes, investment taxation, trusts, stamp duties and is a calculation-heavy exam. It can seem a bit of a step up for many learners compared to R01 or R05. Often the difficult part is working out where […]
Failed R06? How to Reset, Refocus and Come Back Stronger
Failing R06 is emotionally heavy because it often comes after a long pathway of exams. When we chat to learners who have missed out on this exam, the frustration of falling at the last hurdle is clear to see. It’s so important to keep in mind that many successful financial planners / paraplanners have failed at least one exam – it’s common, not a verdict […]
Chartered/Fellowship – Let’s cut the confusion!
If you’re just starting out in the industry, you might be curious about the AF exams and whether they should be a cause for concern. On the other hand, if you’ve already obtained your Level 4 diploma and aspire to become a Chartered Financial Planner or achieve Fellowship, things can still be quite perplexing. Let’s […]
Trust Me – The J02 Exam
In this article, Nikita Phillips, Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser at BTS, discusses the J02 – Trusts exam and her experience of sitting this unit. Once I finished my diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2022, I immediately set my sights on the next challenge. As someone who has always aspired to achieve fellowship, […]
R06: October 2023. How did we do?
The January sitting of the R06 exam is just around the corner, with case studies released today (Friday 5th January 2024)! Before we turn our attention to the new case studies, we always recommend candidates look back at the previous sitting. An exercise BTS finds valuable is to analyse how well our case study analysis […]
Nappies, Newborns and R01
In this article, Nikita Phillips, Candidate Support and Business Development Adviser, discusses how she balances studying, full time work and parenting. When I talk about my exam journey, I’m often asked: how do you balance everything? What is the secret to spinning so many plates at once? My response is usually “with difficulty”. Over the […]
Top Ten R06 FAQ’s
Natalie Dawes, Candidate Support & Business Development Adviser at BTS, covers some of the frequently asked questions about the R06 exam. The R06 exam is one of my favourite exams. I guess that’s an easy thing to say when you’ve got it under your belt. I genuinely feel though, that it was ‘up there’ when […]
Level 4 to Level 6 – Just how big of a step up are the AF exams?
Here at BTS, we believe in walking the talk. Our team sit the CII exams annually to keep up to date with the candidate experience. In this article, our newest team member, Nikita Phillips, Candidate Support & Business Development Adviser, talks about her experience of progressing from a level 4 to level 6 exam and […]
R06 – Debunking the Myth
Nikita Phillips, BTS Candidate Support & Business Development Adviser, believes that there is a big myth that is hindering candidate performance in the R06 Financial Planning Practice Exam, and she wants this debunked! So, what is this myth? One of the common misconceptions about the R06 Financial Planning Practice Exam, is that you only need […]