CII Exam Route and Study Techniques

1. CII Exam Route and Study Techniques Beverley Lyn MBA FCII Lyn Consulting Ltd

2. Today’s Agenda • CII qualification framework • Study techniques • Top tips for mixed assessment • Revision suggestions • Exam techniques www.lynconsulting.co.uk

3. Qualification Options www.lynconsulting.co.uk

4. Certificate In Insurance • No entry requirements • 40 CII credits • Compulsory units, one of the following: • IF1 (15 credits) • LM1 and LM2 ( 25 credits) • Study time – 40 - 60 hours per unit • Assessment method – On-line exam- Regular sittings www.lynconsulting.co.uk

5. Selection of the Certificate Units Each unit = 15 credits other than the two London market units which total 25 credits www.lynconsulting.co.uk

6. Diploma in Insurance • No entry requirements – recommended 5 GCSE’s or Certificate in insurance • 120 CII credits – (90 at diploma level) • Compulsory units: • P92/M92 – Insurance business and finance or 530 Economics and Business • P05/M05 – Insurance Law • Study time – 100 hours per unit • Mixed assessments or written exam – Final opportunity for some exams www.lynconsulting.co.uk

7. Selection of the Diploma Units All are 25 credits other than: ** = 20 credits and * = 30 credits www.lynconsulting.co.uk

8. Diploma – Example Route = 135 credits of which 95 are at Diploma level www.lynconsulting.co.uk

9. Advanced Diploma in Insurance • Entry requirements – recommended 3 A levels or Diploma • 290 CII credits • 205 must be at diploma level or above • 150 (90) must be at Advanced Diploma level • 3 Compulsory units : • P92/M92 – Insurance business and finance or 530 Economics and Business • P05/M05 – Insurance Law • One of the following , Claims (820), Broking (930) or Underwriting (960) • Study time – 120 -180 hours per unit • Mixed assessments or written exam www.lynconsulting.co.uk

10. Selection of Advanced Diploma Units www.lynconsulting.co.uk

11. In Summary www.lynconsulting.co.uk

12. Study Techniques www.lynconsulting.co.uk

13. Study Techniques In your groups share your top tips in respect of the study techniques which have worked for you www.lynconsulting.co.uk

14. Making a Plan • How much time do you need? • Identify time slots • Maximise small chunks of time • High level objectives for each week • Link to syllabus • Build on strengths • Each week add more detail to the plan • Ongoing monitoring and review of plan www.lynconsulting.co.uk

15. Study Techniques In your groups discuss and identify opportunities for studying www.lynconsulting.co.uk

16. Mindmaps www.lynconsulting.co.uk

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18. Why mindmaps work www.lynconsulting.co.uk

19. Learning is more effective if we engage both sides of the brain www.lynconsulting.co.uk

20. Advantages of Mind Maps • Key word recall • Engages both side of the brain • The relative importance of each idea is clearly indicated. • Easy identification of links between key concepts • New information is easily added • Each map made will be unique • Images – “ a picture paints a thousand words” significantly increase memory • Colour, enhances memory www.lynconsulting.co.uk

21. Disadvantages of Linear Notes • Words are recorded which are not necessary and have no bearing on the memory. • Time is wasted re-reading the same unnecessary words • Time is wasted searching for the words which are key recall words. • Connections between key recall words are interrupted by words that separate them. • Key recall words are separated in time by the intervening words. www.lynconsulting.co.uk

22. Mixed Assessment www.lynconsulting.co.uk

23. Top Tips on the Mixed Assessment Assignment • Questions are now more specific • Total words – 6,000- 12,000 – • A number of questions – e.g. 10 marks = 250-300 words • Possible to fail a question and still achieve an overall pass • Spend time deconstructing the question • Don’t copy copious quantities of the text book – it is about the application • Need to do some form of referencing but doesn’t have to be Harvard style • If running out of time – submit and take advantage of the feedback • Allowed two re-submissions www.lynconsulting.co.uk

24. Revision Techniques www.lynconsulting.co.uk

25. Revision Approach • Get organised • Make a plan – and stick to it! • Bite size chunks • Analyse previous exam papers • Link to the syllabus • Number of questions and mark allocation • Compulsory questions • Choice questions • Review book and identify key areas • Red - Needs lots of attention • Yellow - Needs some hard work • Green - just background reading www.lynconsulting.co.uk

26. Revision Techniques • Index cards, mind maps and notes • Learning posters and visual material • Key words, phrases, themes or concepts • Summary tables or grids • Teach someone – work in groups • Reinforce your memory • Variety is the spice of life • Mock questions www.lynconsulting.co.uk

27. CII Learning Support • Study text with updates • RevisionMate online study support • Question pack • Learn interactive tutorial • Key fact booklet • Continuous assessment programme • Revision courses • Past exam papers www.lynconsulting.co.uk

28. Generic Comments From Examiners • Poor organisation • Not addressing each part of the question separately • Not providing a clear and distinct answer to each part • Insufficient case law to support arguments • Jumbled and confused answers • The need to address complex “problem” cases by identifying key issues and deal with each one separately • Unable to cite case law effectively in support of answers • Questions where application to problem cases was required – not answered as well www.lynconsulting.co.uk

29. During the Exam • Answer questions calmly • Move on if you can’t answer a question and then return to it • Read the whole paper first • Allocate time in accordance with the potential marks for each question and depth of answer • Read the question carefully – pay attention to anything in bold • Plan your answers • Answer the question , don’t “brain dump” on the topic • Order of questions – build confidence with easier questions first • Handwriting –as legible as possible, without losing too much time, don’t resort to block capitals. Marks will not be lost for untidiness • Answer format – if letter or report stipulated use this approach, otherwise bullet points, or short paragraphs. • Relax and keep calm www.lynconsulting.co.uk

30. Thank You and Good Luck www.lynconsulting.co.uk