General News

AF5 expected solution survey results

2013-05-13T09:26:22Z

Recent AF5 survey results on our expected solution
In a survey carried out shortly after the April AF5 exam session:

100% of those who purchased our AF5 The Expected Solution Package were of the view that it helped them a lot in their preparation for the exam.
95% felt that it was good value for money
Of those who purchased exam solutions from more than one provider, 56% were of the view that Wizard Learning's solution was better than the other solution they had purchased, and the remaining 44% felt all the exam solutions they purchased were of a similar standard.

"I found the expected solution really helpful in preparation for taking the exam as it was more detailed than a solution I was using from an alternative provider." John W

"The other solution I had paid for was far more general, it had been prepared in advance, and was only partially amended to reflect the case study. The Wizard Learning solution was far more focussed on the case study and hence far more useful." Oliver C

"Without a doubt, the Expected Solution enabled me to understand what the examiners were looking for." Max

"I found your solution package very helpful and have already recommended your site to several of my colleagues who are also looking to progress to chartered status." James H

Information on AF5 The Expected Solution Package

The Expected Solution is a detailed analysis by our panel of experts of the fact-find issued by the CII 2 weeks prior to the exam and includes:

A detailed analysis of the client’s situation
Identification of all financial needs
A list of the questions that we feel could be asked together with a detailed solution.

The Expected Solution will be available 7 days prior to the exam by way of a PDF link on your record, we will also email you as soon as it becomes available.

To help with your preparation immediate access to the following are also included:

Our R01 to R05 online multimedia courses
Our Expected Solution for the previous 2 AF5 exams
Two online mock exams designed by our training team to help you assess your technical knowledge and get experience in the technique needed to pass the exam.

Then select AF5 The Expected Solution Package

How the Wizard Learning AF5 Expected Solution compared with the CII Model Answer
See here for details.

More information on the AF5 exam
See here for details.

Recent testimonials
“I just passed AF5 to attain chartered status, the expected solution package was a huge help. Wizard Learning has been the biggest reason I have managed to get this far and I would recommend you to anyone.” David Morrans

“Just to let you know I passed my AF5. This was all down to your AF5 Expected Solution Package material as that is all I revised. I could not have got it without you.” Joanne Fisher

"Thanks for the help - The AF5 expected solution was pretty much spot on and I was notified of a PASS today." David Mannion

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.

Discounts & offers plus online course on complaints

2013-05-02T16:10:41Z

1. Current offers

Multi-buy discount
This is available when the purchase you make NOW is for 2 or more training modules. In addition you will get access for an extra 3 months (9 months instead of 6 months). With a multi-buy purchase if you do need additional time for a planned exam we will on request (via the contact us link) extend your access at no cost by up to a further 3 months giving you a total of 12 months access.

Free "learning to learn" skills course package
Provided FREE when you purchase any training module. Included are 5 online courses covering learning skills on: time management, exams, study, reading & memory.

MORE INFORMATION: See the cost and contents page for details of all our trainng modules and our CPD SYSTEM and the multi-buy discounted prices.

2. Complaints Procedures online course
The purpose of this complaints procedures online course is to provide sufficient knowledge on the rules, regulations and guidance relating to complaints procedures for those working within the regulated financial services sector.

At least annually all staff of authorised regulated firms should verify that they have read and understood the firm’s complaints handling procedure and the regulatory requirements for complaints handling.

Syllabus learning objectives
By the end of this course, you will:

Understand what constitutes a ‘complaint’ within the meaning of the rules
Know how to identify and deal with a complaint
Be able to explain the procedures for each stage of a complaint
Identify eligible complainants

Content
The course is made up of these 10 chapters:

Complaints Procedures Course Introduction

What is a complaint?

What is an eligible complainant?

What to do on recognising a complaint

Complaint acknowledgement

Investigation

The final response and the Financial Ombudsman Service [FOS]

Record-keeping requirements

Training and competency

Assessment test

Assessment details
The course assessment contains 10 questions taken at random from a question bank. Your results will be emailed to you on completion and your CPD certificated updated and 1.5 hours CPD time will be added.

You will need to get 70% (7 or more questions correct) or more to pass. If you fail then further assessments can be taken.

Purchasing and cost
See here for more information on this Complaints Procedures online course and our other training modules together with our CPD system which also includes access to this course and other compliance related courses on Financial Crime and Data Protection.

Access is provided for 6 months. If you purchase multiple training modules a discount is available along with a longer access period.

The benefits this course for you and your business
Any person working in the financial services sector who has contact with customers or clients may potentially be in the firing line when it comes to complaints. The fewer complaints received the less familiar you will be with the regulatory procedures and how to deal with them.

Although your firm may never have had a complaint, in today’s culture of blame and claim there is no end to the ways a complaint might materialise whether justified or not.

It is essential reputationally and financially for all personnel in financial services to have a good working knowledge of the complaints regime.

Misinformation can escalate complaints and make them time consuming and perhaps costly out of all proportion.

This is what you will find out in this online course:

The regulatory rules for dealing with complaints
When must they be reported to the Financial Services Authority
How must they be acknowledged
What steps can be taken to avoid formal reporting
The test of what constitutes an eligible complaint
Procedures and record keeping rules for complaints
Who is eligible to take their complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service?
Regulatory reporting requirements for complaints.

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.

CPD must be more than just ticking the CPD boxes

2013-04-22T09:47:17Z

The financial news element of our CPD SYSTEM provides advisers with concise and unbiased reporting of financial services related news and regulatory developments.

We research and analyse core information from a variety of sources including HMRC, FSA, ONS, government websites and press reports over the month. We then prepare a succinct online summary of the previous months most relevant finance related news and deliver this to you at the end of the month, together with a 10 question assessment to confirm your understanding. This counts as 1.5 hours of structured CPD each month.

Our aim is not only to provide you with the most up to date and relevant industry news, but also to deliver and present this information to you in a format that helps you to assess its importance and relevance to you and your clients. So, with this in mind, each of our monthly news summaries are conveniently separated into 8 subject headings: compliance, economy, mortgages, pensions, protection, savings & investments and taxation & trusts and ‘miscellaneous’.

You no longer have to read numerous lengthy reports, news articles and press releases to find the key facts that you need to know. We know from the extensive research that we carry out to prepare our monthly summaries how tedious and time-consuming this can be and, as they say, time is money. So we do all of that for you; sifting out the spin, speculation and biased opinions, giving you just the pertinent and relevant facts that you can’t afford to miss. Our summaries are succinct, relevant and interesting and will save you a considerable amount of time each month. Furthermore, the time you spend reading them, along with assessment results are included on your CPD certificate.

There’s more - 16 online courses
In addition, our CPD SYSTEM provides you with access to 16 online courses; an extensive and invaluable library of material amounting to 314 hours of CPD, around which you can plan your own annual CPD requirements. See www.wizardlearning.com/media/cpd_hours_in_cpd_system.pdf for full details of the contents.

All of this information is at your fingertips, easily accessible on our online system, where you can also view recent news as well as the news summaries and assessments covering the previous six months.

Wizard Financial Awareness - www.wizardfinancialawareness.co.uk
As an added benefit, financial advisers who subscribe to the CPD system this month will be invited to create an adviser profile which will appear on our consumer information website. This will be FREE OF CHARGE for at least the next 9 months.

The Wizard Financial Awareness information website is designed to enhance awareness of money and financial issues among the general public, giving them a greater understanding of the products they may already have, or that may be recommended to them by a financial adviser, and to help them to identify financial needs that they may not previously have been aware of.

Users of the site can contact any of the financial advisers featured on the site to discuss the issues and topics featured, or to seek advice regarding their own personal circumstances.

CPD must be more than just ticking the CPD boxes
It is emerging that the focus of the new regulatory bodies – PRA/FCA – will be on advisers taking their continuous professional development more seriously, and not just treating the requirement to keep their knowledge up to date as a tick-box exercise. Some firms view CPD as a necessary evil, but while ensuring that they meet the minimum time requirements to comply with the regulations might have been acceptable until now, the new regulatory regime requires firms to set clear benchmarks for competence, and use these to drive training requirements and CPD planning.

Our online course and use of assessments to confirm knowledge provides a quantifiable benchmark for technical competencies that can drive each adviser’s training needs and plans, and that will satisfy the requirements of the regulators under the new regime.

More information and discounts
For more details on our CPD SYSTEM see our information page at www.wizardlearning.com/CPD_System.php. Discounts are available for multiple users; please contact us with the number of users that would require access for details of the savings that can be made. We can also provide you with trial access, if required. Please confirm your username or register at www.wizardlearning.com/register.php if you don’t already have an existing record.

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.

AF5 The Expected Solution

2013-04-03T14:56:11Z

Following on from our news item that you can view here, on the availability of the R06 Expected Solution for the 8 April exam our AF5 Expected Solution is also now available.

AF5 Expected Solution available now for the 11 April 2013 exam
The Expected Solution is now available for immediate download for the 11 April 2013 exam. This contains 36 pages of expert analysis.

The Expected Solution is a detailed analysis by our panel of experts of the fact-find issued by the CII 2 weeks prior to the exam and includes:

A detailed analysis of the client’s situation
Identification of all financial needs
A list of the questions that we feel could be asked together with a detailed solution.

The Expected Solution will be available 7 days prior to the exam by way of a PDF link on your record, we will also email you as soon as it becomes available.

To help with your preparation immediate access to the following are also included:

Our R01 to R05 online multimedia courses
Our Expected Solution for the previous 2 AF5 exams
Two online mock exams designed by our training team to help you assess your technical knowledge and get experience in the technique needed to pass the exam.

Then select AF5 The Expected Solution Package

“I just passed AF5 to attain chartered status, the expected solution package was a huge help. Wizard Learning has been the biggest reason I have managed to get this far and I would recommend you to anyone.” David Morrans - Honour Financial Planning Ltd

“Just to let you know I passed my AF5. This was all down to your AF5 Expected Solution Package material as that is all I revised. I could not have got it without you.” Joanne Fisher - Yorkshire Bank

"Thanks for the help - The AF5 expected solution was pretty much spot on and I was notified of a PASS today." David Mannion

How the Wizard Learning AF5 Expected Solution compared with the CII Model Answer
How did we do? See here for full details.

R06 Expected Solution

2013-04-01T00:49:52Z

R06 Expected Solution available now for the 8 April 2013 exam
The Expected Solution is now available for immediate download for the 8 April 2013 exam. There are 30 pages of expert analysis for case study 1 and 30 pages for case study 2, as well as 15 pages of generic information on questions that may be asked.

The Expected Solution package includes a detailed analysis by our panel of experts of the 2 case studies that are issued by the CII 2 weeks prior to the exam. We provide you with a list of the questions that we feel could be asked together with a detailed solution.

Select R06 The Expected Solution Package

The costs and contents of all our training modules can be viewed here.

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.

New study package for AF1 & CPD solution

2013-03-26T17:06:28Z

In this update we cover our new style study package for the AF1 Personal tax and trust planning advanced diploma exam. We also have similar style study packages for many other exams as well as expected solution packages for the AF5 and R06 exams, see here for more information and costs.

AF1 Personal tax and trust planning - study package
This AF1 advanced diploma online training has been designed so that you can revise key syllabus topics and get practice in order to prepare for the CII's AF1 exam on personal tax and trust planning. Access is provided to our online courses and assessments for the diploma subjects R03 and J02, as this knowledge is required for the AF1 exam.

Content summary

AF1 self marked paper - Online exam paper that you type in your answers online and then mark yourself against the model answers.
AF1 case study 1 - Case study with 20 related multiple-choice questions including explanations of answers. Deals with various different trust aspects including selecting the most appropriate trust, tax, legal considerations and operation of the trust.
AF1 case study 2 - Case study with 20 related multiple-choice questions including explanations of answers. Deals with various aspects of different trust types.
AF1 case study 3 - Case study with 20 related multiple-choice questions including explanations of answers. Deals with charitable trusts, charitable giving and trustees duties.
R03 Personal taxation: Online Course
J02 Trusts: Online course
R03 Personal taxation: Gap Analysis & Assessment Tool containing 300 multiple-choice questions
J02 Trusts: Online course: Assessment package containing 300 multiple-choice questions
Learning to Learn - 5 online learning skills courses

This link provides a detailed summary of all the contents

Additional information
Access is provided for 6 months and includes syllabus updates. If you purchase multiple training modules a discount is available along with longer access periods.

This is an ideal companion to our AF1 tutor marked paper.

CPD SOLUTION
If you are looking for a system that can provide all your structured CPD please take a look at our CPD system. It also allows advisers to be featured advisers on our new public financial education website Wizard Financial Awareness www.wizardfinancialawareness.co.uk with the prospect of receiving business leads from the website users.

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.

New study package for J02 Trusts

2013-03-20T09:37:40Z

In this update we cover our new extended study package for the diploma subject J02 Trusts. This follows on from our other similarly enhanced study packages for J05 and AF3.

J02 Trusts - study package
This J02 diploma online training has been designed so that you can revise key syllabus topics and get practice in order to prepare for the CII's J02 exam on Trusts.

Content summary

Trusts: Online Course
Assessments: 300 multiple-choice subject knowledge questions - 6 assessments with 50 questions per assessment
Self marked paper: Online exam paper that you type in your answers online and then mark yourself against the model answers
Case study 1 - Case study with 20 related multiple-choice questions including explanations of answers. Deals with wills and Power of Attorney.
Case study 2 - Case study with 20 related multiple-choice questions including explanations of answers. Deals with bankruptcy including the effects it has on a business, personal assets and trusts.
Case study 3 - Case study with 20 related multiple-choice questions including explanations of answers. Deals with life and pensions in trust including the duties of trustees.
Learning to Learn - 5 online learning skills courses

This link provides a detailed summary of all the contents

Additional information
Access is provided for 6 months and includes syllabus updates. If you purchase multiple training modules a discount is available along with longer access periods.

This is an ideal companion to our J02 tutor marked paper.

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.

New J10 assessment package & CII exam pass rates

2013-03-11T15:55:52Z

CII exam pass rates
The CII have recently published their exam pass rates for 2012 and we have added them to our existing table here so that you can see the previous years rates as well.

J10 Discretionary investment management – Gap Analysis and Assessment Tool
We have now added a J10 assessment package to our site as detailed below.

This tool is designed to provide you with exam standard questions and answers delivered online in an environment similar to the real computer based exam. It includes numerous additional features to assist you with your revision and exam preparation.

There are 2 parts to this package, 12 case studies each comprising 5 multiple
response questions AND a bank of 300 multiple choice questions.

Assessment details
You can chose from these 6 assessment types:

25, 50 or 100 questions delivered in revision style
25, 50 or 100 questions delivered in exam style

Revision style allows you to view the answer after every question. With the exam style you complete all the questions in the same manner as you do in the actual exam.

Both styles include all these features:

Total marks scored and percentage
Marks and percentage scored for each learning outcome
Questions you answered incorrectly along with the correct answer are detailed against each learning outcome
Ability to print the results report detailing the above information
Your average marks are benchmarked against others using this module
Your statistics and study time are included on your personalised learning log/CPD certificate - you can view and print this at any time.

Try our 5 question revision style demo Access is provided for 6 months and includes syllabus updates. If you purchase multiple training modules a discount is available along with a longer access period.

FREE "LEARNING TO LEARN" SKILLS COURSE PACKAGE
Provided FREE when you purchase any training module. Included are 5 online courses covering learning skills on: time management, exams, study, reading & memory.

Questions per assessment: Each assessment includes similar weightings per learning outcome that you will receive in the actual exam. We have designed the system so that you can select a 100 question assessment, a 50 question assessment or a 25 question assessment.

In addition there are 12 case study assessments that you can take with 5 questions per assessment, these are similar to the format of the case studies in the actual exam.

ABOUT THE CII's J10 EXAM: The J10 CII exam consists of 90 questions. Section A contains 70 standard multiple choice questions and section B contains 4 case studies, each comprising 5 multiple response questions. 2 hours are allowed for the exam.

Questions: There are over 360 questions in the database. Our system records the questions you have viewed so that they are not repeated until you have worked your way through the full question bank. An ongoing tracking of the questions delivered ensures that a different mix of questions is included in each assessment and that the questions do not repeat quickly. Questions are written and reviewed by subject knowledge experts with many years of experience in training and exam setting.

Flexible navigation: Allowing you to skip and tag questions to revisit and review before completing the assessment.

References to learning material: In the revision style a note of the learning outcome that the question covers is provided.

Timer: A clock shows the expected and elapsed time for each assessment. You can however take as long as you need to complete each assessment.

Recovery feature: If you leave an assessment part way through, the system will return you to the same point when you next return.

Our online learning allows you to access your training wherever you are from any computer at any time.

CII pass rates

2013-03-11T09:06:29Z

CII exam pass rates - advanced diploma, diploma, regulated diploma

The CII have recently published their exam pass rates for 2012 and we have added them to our existing table below so that you can see the previous years rates as well.

The rates are calculated based on the number of candidates who passed during the year divided by the number who sat the exam.

Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning: AF1 to AF6

Exam 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 AF1 57.28% 60.97% 59% 45% 45% 38% AF2 49.32% 48.25% 41% 38% 35% 30% AF3 51.93% 44.83% 40% 32% 38% 34% AF4 62.93% 60.65% 66% 47% 57% 55% AF5 66.55% 55.82% 49% 30% 44% 48% AF6 58.82% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning: R01 to R06

Exam 2012 2011 R01 61.56% 62.85% R02 53.09% 59.27% R03 51.56% 57.77% R04 60.85% 58.28% R05 80.27% 78.68% R06 71.74% 65.19%

Diploma in Financial Planning: J02, J03, J05, J07, J10, J11

Exam 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 J02 59.64% 58.71% 60% 51% 43% 51% J03 51.30% 39.88% 42% 26% 40% 45% J05 64.51% 60.56% 55% 54% 54% 60% J07 53.07% 45.02% 44% 43% 42% 45% J10 75.25% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A J11 58.93% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Source: CII website. The statistics covering the 2013 year will normally be released by the CII in February/March 2013.

The message from these rates are clear, in order to pass you need to be well prepared.

Our training directory is available here to help you prepare.

New consumer information website, popular training

2013-02-20T11:24:29Z

In this update we include information on our most popular training modules including our CPD SYSTEM with the opportunity for advisers to be featured on our new consumer information website.

Wizard Financial Awareness - Information Tutorials & Find Trusted Advisers
We are in the process of completing a soft launch of our consumer information website Wizard Financial Awareness which uses tutorial style presentations to educate the public on financial matters and help them find trusted advisers. The advisers that subscribe to our CPD SYSTEM at present, and new members, are being invited to be featured advisers during the whole of 2013 at no additional cost. See www.wizardfinancialawareness.co.uk for details of the website.

Our most popular modules

R06 The Expected Solution Package CPD SYSTEM AF5 The Expected Solution Package

R01 - R05 Assessments All training modules
CF J0 R0 AF FA CeMAP CeFA Compliance CPD R01 - R05 online courses

FREE "LEARNING TO LEARN" SKILLS COURSE PACKAGE
Provided FREE when you purchase any training module. Included are 5 online courses covering learning skills on: time management, exams, study, reading & memory.

Wizard Learning Ltd

Provider of award winning online training and CPD for financial advisers and financial services professionals

We are committed to helping you gain higher level qualifications and maintain this knowledge through effective continuous professional development.