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FA2 Study Plan

The FA2 Pensions Administration unit develops your understanding of life and pensions issues, together with detailed guidance on the administration of these classes of business.

Exam sitting:

This exam can be sat throughout the year, 7 days a week.

Suggested FA2 Study Plan

This study plan is based on 60 hours of study time over an 8 week period. The CII recommendation is 60 hours of study time, however this is only an indication of how long you will need. You may take more or less time than this depending on your prior knowledge and experience, and work/study/home commitment.

ASAP

Our student-led forums are a space for you to chat to other candidates about all things study and exam.

Click on the ‘BTS Forums’ in the menu on the left and check out the FA2 forum.

ASAP
Weeks 1 - 8

Self-study period - Starting at least 8 weeks prior to the exam

There is no avoiding a thorough study of the syllabus. There are 16 learning outcomes in the FA2 syllabus. 

Start by working through the BTS study guide covering the full exam syllabus and guidance on the necessary exam question answering techniques.

Weeks 1 - 8
Week 4 onwards

Revise key knowledge

Use the exam style questions in your study guide concentrating on the heaviest-weighted learning outcomes. Practise as many exam-standard questions as you can before the real thing. It is good practice to start attempting past paper exam questions when you are around two-thirds of the way through the study guide. Use them to review your weaker areas and target your study. 

Week 4 onwards
Have you booked your exam?

Having an exam date booked can help to focus your study goals.

Have you booked your exam?
Sit your exam - Good luck!
Sit your exam - Good luck!

Suggested study hours by FA2 Learning Outcome

LO1: Know HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) requirements for registering pension schemes.

1hr

LO2: Know the relevant financial regulators’ rules.

1hr

LO3: Know the requirements for disclosure of information.

1hr

LO4: Know the procedures for the referral of complaints.

1hr

LO5: Know the basic principles of pension taxation.

5hrs

LO6: Know the key features of the basic pension product types.

5hrs

LO7: Know the key features of workplace pensions.

10hrs

LO8: Know the main pension policy administration issues.

2hrs

LO9: Understand the administration of pension policies.

6hrs

LO10: Know the principles of medical underwriting.

1hr

LO11: Understand the main features of unit linking .

2hrs

LO12: Understand the main features of with-profits.

2hrs

LO13: Know the different methods of payment and the consequences of non-payment.

2hrs

LO14: Understand pension claims and the options available when taking benefits.

9hrs

LO15: Understand how pension benefits are treated on divorce.

1hr

LO16: Understand the use of trusts in pension policies.

1hr

How much study time will I need?

You may take more or less time than this depending on your prior knowledge and experience, and work/study/home commitments.

FA2 question weighting by Learning Outcome

The FA2 exam lasts for one hour.  The paper consists of 50 multiple choice questions.

If you do have a deferred success on this exam, have a look at your exam feedback to see where you dropped the most marks. For example, scoring less than 50% on LO8 is less of a concern than scoring less than 50% on LO14.

FA2 Question Distribution

The BTS approach to passing FA2

This FA2 study plan has been designed by the team at BTS. Our highly-qualified and experienced team sit the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Level 3, Level 4 and Level 6 exams annually. This helps to ensure that the materials we produce are as up to date and ‘exam style’ as possible for our customers. 

The BTS resources provide a structured study path through the FA2 syllabus, covering both the technical knowledge and exam technique required to achieve a pass. 

Below you will find an overview of the BTS recommended study plan with details of how the BTS materials can be used to support your learning. You don’t need to use every element, but we recommend starting by working through the BTS study guide.  The Study Buddy app is designed to be used to practise exam-standard questions, little and often from the mid-way point in your study plan.

Study

Work through the BTS study guide

What is the aim of this guide?
As you read each chapter of the guide you will gradually work through the FA2 syllabus and practise the necessary exam question answering techniques, using:

Available in a choice of printed or digital format from the BTS shop.

Exam Sitting

Exam bookings are made directly with the CII.

Before booking an exam, candidates must purchase the unit from the CII website.

There is an option to purchase ‘assessment only’ which means just the exam sitting. This allows candidates to purchase study materials elsewhere, e.g. BTS.

Information and  guidance on booking and sitting your exam can be found in our Exam FAQs:

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