Do I need to enter the exams at the same time as the study material?
No. Study materials and exams can be bought at seperate
times. When ordering online or using an application form you may
choose to purchase study materials without entering for an exam and
vice versa.
How often are coursebooks updated?
This will vary according to the content of the unit. Please
visit www.cii.co.uk/qualifications and then
select the relevant qualification and unit.
I am studying for the CII exams and would like to read something to update and expand upon what is in the coursebook, can you help me?
For most CII exams there is a list of recommended reading in the
syllabus which you can find within the syllabus section for each
qualification on the website. Most of the items listed can be
borrowed or purchased via CII Knowledge Services. You can also find
much other information on your subject via CII Knowledge Services.
The fact files at www.cii.co.uk/knowledge are particularly
useful for updating your knowledge on a particular subject.
Can I obtain a multiple-choice paper from a previous exam?
There is a specimen paper within the exam guide which is
produced in exactly the same way as the public papers. The CII does
not publish previous multiple-choice examination papers. The
multiple-choice questions for each examination paper are randomly
selected from a large question bank and questions may be re-used in
future sittings. To publish past papers would mean disclosing our
question bank.
Can you tell me why the answer to a question in the examination paper may not appear in the course book?
CII examinations test the published syllabuses, which are
available within the pages of each qualification, and not the
contents of any particular tuition material. For example, it would
be unfair to test the contents of the CII course book, as not all
candidates choose this particular study option. The questions
employed in examination papers are all deemed central to the
syllabus and of an appropriate level for candidates. In the case of
essay or case study questions, candidates are expected to apply
knowledge from across different areas of the syllabus, not simply
regurgitate material from the text.
When are the Examination Guides issued?
For Diploma and Advanced Diploma subjects, the Examination
Guide is issued twice a year in line with the two sittings in April
and October. The Guide on the April examination is available
approximately three weeks prior to the next examination sitting in
October. The Guide on the October examination is available
approximately three weeks prior to the next examination sitting in
April.
Multiple choice question exam guides are updated to take into
account syllabus and legislative changes. All multiple choice
question exam guides are updated annually. Candidates should be
aware that the questions used in a multiple choice specimen paper
will remain the same unless affected by a change in syllabus or
legislation, in which case, the question will either be amended to
accommodate the change, or replaced by an entirely new
question.
How long does delivery of study material take?
From the time your order has been accepted by us, coursebooks
sent within the UK are dispatched on a 24 hour service to company
addresses and 48 hour service to private addresses. These are
delivered by courier and both need to be signed for upon delivery
(we do not deliver to PO boxes).
Revision aids (key facts booklets, exam guides, computer based
training, audio CD's) sent within the UK are sent by post and take
a maximum of 5 working days for delivery. If revision aids are
ordered with coursebooks, then they are sent on the 24 hour service
and need to be signed for upon delivery. Coursebooks and revision
aids sent overseas take a maximum of 14-21 days for delivery.
How will I know that you have received my order?
If you place your order via the website you will receive an
automatic acknowledgement of your order advising you that it has
been submitted for processing. If you submit your order by
post/facsimile you will be sent an acknowledgement of your order
within 2 working days and if you have ordered study material this
will be sent at the same time. If an item is not in stock
your acknowledgement will show when it is expected.
If there is a problem with your order, a communication will be
sent to within 5 working days
Why do you not produce coursebooks for the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning units (AF1-AF5)?
The AF1-AF4 examination syllabuses test assumed knowledge and
application skills gained from study of the Diploma in Financial
Planning units (J01-J07). The Advanced Diploma is therefore
assessing the planning skills of candidates rather than knowledge
per se. To assist candidates to prepare for the examinations we
have produced a case study workbook for units AF1'AF4. A case study
workbook is not offered for unit AF5 Financial planning process as
this draws together and tests your knowledge gained through study
of the other units. You will, however, receive a 'fact find' 2
weeks before the exam which you will use to draw up a financial
plan in the exam.
Why have postage costs been increased?
In consideration of further Royal Mail price increases this
year, the CII has been forced to increase its UK, Channel Isles,
Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar postage and
packaging fees from £5 to £7 per order with immediate effect.