R06 Support
Tuesday 24th January 2023 - Candidates affected by technical issues
This page provides more information for those candidates affected by technical difficulties during their R06 Financial Planning Practice assessment on 24 January 2023.
Support update
Further to the issues experienced by R06 candidates sitting by remote invigilation on Tuesday 24th January, we have been working with 3 training providers to offer additional support. We hope all candidates will find this useful as they prepare for their rescheduled sitting at 10am on Wednesday 8th February.
Bespoke Training Solutions (BTS)
BTS have been successfully training CII exams for over 20 years and have a wide range of clients from large companies through to academic institutions as well as CII Local Institutes.
In collaboration with the CII, BTS are offering:
- Live online R06 refresher sessions which revisit the technical content, exam technique and different question styles covered in the exam.
- Access to a recording of the refresher session for future reference.
These sessions will be hosted on Zoom from 10:00 to 15:00 on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th February. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and you will have your place confirmed by close of business on Wednesday 1 February.
To access the BTS support, follow this link which details the support available and how to register for a space.
L&D Digital Solutions (L&DDS)
L&D Digital Solutions have been successfully training CII exams for over a decade and work closely with the CII to provide content and training to our members and customers.
In collaboration with CII, L&D Digital Solutions are offering:
- Comprehensive CII case study analysis videos (produced for the CII).
- A 1-day pre-recorded workshop.
- A half-day live refresher workshop online. Details will be provided by L&DDS to those who sign up.
To sign up for the L&DDS support please click here and use the code emailed to you separately to register.
Redmill Advance
Redmill Advance have been successfully training CII exam subjects for over a decade. Redmill work with large financial planning companies through to individuals and produce a full suite of study resources for R06 ahead of each sitting.
In collaboration with CII, Redmill Advance are offering you access to:
- Tips/techniques on how to study most effectively.
- Full Case Study Analysis document (70+ pages).
- Pre-recorded surgery discussing this analysis (1 hour).
To access the Redmill Advance support follow this link and click on the buy online now button. At the point of payment, click on do you have a Coupon Code? and enter the code emailed to you separately to receive a 100% discount and obtain the resources for free.
From PSI
"On 24 January 2023, when preparing for the CII R06 exam, PSI experienced what it believed to be a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack to its cloud-based test delivery platform. In line with our standard protocols, we responded by diverting all traffic away from our test platform. Regrettably, in these circumstances, it is not possible to identify ‘genuine’ traffic and, as a consequence, requests from CII test takers to launch their exam were also blocked.
Whilst we were able to re-start the service after approximately 45 minutes, allowing CII test takers in our test centres to sit their exams after this delay, the check-in limits for online invigilated sessions meant that the vast majority of those booked to take their tests remotely, were unable to do so.
We absolutely realise how frustrating, upsetting and disruptive this situation was for everyone. We deeply regret that it occurred and apologise to CII and its test takers. We are also committed to partner with CII to find the best possible solution, to support each and every one of those affected."
From Gill White, Chief Customer Officer
"I am very sorry that some of our candidates due to take their R06 assessment today encountered technical problems. We have been working swiftly to understand the cause and to inform candidates of the action they should take. We understand that affected candidates will be concerned, but we will ensure they are not disadvantaged as a result of these technical problems, and we will advise them directly of the action we intend to take as soon as possible.”
From Alan Vallance, Chief Executive
“I have been briefed today on the incident that has affected some of our exam customers from taking one of their key assessments. I am hugely disappointed and in my view this is an unacceptable level of performance. I will be working with my Chief Operating Officer, John Bissell, and our Chief Customer Officer, Gill White, to ensure this situation is rectified and that all the necessary time, energy and resources are focused on resolving this matter for all the individuals that have been impacted.”
FAQs
When is the new assessment date?
We have reviewed the available options for providing a new sitting for all affected candidates. We have also considered the implications of planned rail strikes and decided that the replacement sitting will be on Wednesday 8 February at 10:00 (GMT).
You can book a place at any one of 31 UK test centres, or selected international centres, through MyCII. Bookings will be accepted from Tuesday 31 January. Vouchers for this replacement exam are currently being processed, and you will receive yours next week.
What if the replacement date is not convenient?
We understand that some candidates may not be available to take the assessment on the identified date. If this is the case, please do let our exam team know – by emailing 24jansupport@cii.co.uk – and we will work with you directly to see what other options might be suitable. Alternatively, you may prefer to sit on the next scheduled R06 assessment date, which is Tuesday 25 April.
Will you be reimbursing the cost of this assessment?
I can confirm that we will be reimbursing the cost of this assessment. If you paid personally, we will refund the card which you used to pay as swiftly as possible. If your firm paid, we will be in direct contact with them.
What about other costs I have incurred, or will incur?
We know that some candidates will have incurred additional costs, or taken leave to sit this assessment. We also recognise that there is the potential for you to incur other costs through having to travel to take this new sitting and/or take further leave. We will consider making reasonable payments in all these cases. You can submit a claim, with accompanying evidence, to 24jansupport@cii.co.uk. All claims should be received by Friday 10 March.
Will I be able to take the exam with the same case studies as I would have if I had taken it on 24 January?
Yes, you will be able to use the same case studies. The paper sat on 8 February will be a new exam paper, to ensure exam fairness and security, however your revision and preparation will be equally valid for the rescheduled exam.
Will you be applying special consideration to those taking the new exam?
Special consideration is only available when a candidate’s performance can be shown to have been affected during their exam. As this is a new exam, any request for special consideration would need to apply to any circumstances affecting you in this new exam, rather than beforehand.
Will you be adjusting the pass mark for this new exam?
The pass mark is always set specifically for each individual exam sitting, reflecting slight variations in the difficulty of the paper and the circumstances in which it is sat. The new paper will be set to consistent R06 standards to prevent disadvantage to candidates who have sat earlier papers.
When will I receive my result?
It will not be possible for us to complete marking of this new paper to the same timetable as the original exam. We will endeavour to do this as quickly as possible and anticipate that you will receive your results in the week ending 24 March. Download the R06 Exam Guide February 2023.