So, what did you think of the January R06 exam paper?
Luiza Todd
Helping you pass your regulated exams first-time. Training | Qualifications | Diploma | Advanced Diploma | Academy
The January exam has come and gone. All our BTS students have sat it, written their hearts out and can now only sit and wait for the results which are due out on the 28th February (we think).
What questions came up?
BTS’s view is that most of the questions that came up were pretty predictable. The R06 questions asked were ‘nicer’ than we have seen in an exam for a good while. From what we have been told, questions asked included:
Case study 1 Tom and Lisa
- Any additional information question in relation to the couple’s protection financial aim
- Why would a level term policy be more suitable than family income benefit?
- List four benefits and four drawbacks of Tom accepting his employer’s salary sacrifice offer
- What factors should the couple consider, if they are thinking about using Lisa’s inheritance to pay off part of the mortgage?
- Explain the benefits and drawbacks of ISAs as mortgage repayment vehicles
- Recommend and justify how the couple can improve the tax efficiency of their investments
- Give four benefits and four drawbacks of maintaining Tom’s existing critical illness policy
- Give the pros and cons of death in service provided for the couple
Case study 2 Manuel and Susan
- Additional information question in relation to the couple’s retirement financial aim
- Explain the process of calculating Manuel’s tapered annual allowance (no calculations required)
- Explain how the Pension Protection Fund would affect Lisa’s DB scheme
- Explain why Susan should consider staying in her DB scheme and not transferring benefits to a DC scheme
- Advantages and disadvantages of Manuel’s SIPP funds/suitability of his choices
- Explain the process of Susan utilising a Deed of Variation in relation to her inheritance from her father
- Why should Susan consider retaining her AIM shares?
- List the relevant factors when reviewing the couple’s IHT and estate aim at an annual review
Which questions were a tad ‘left field’?
There were two which BTS thought were a bit odd.
· First: the level term versus FIB question.
· Second: the PPF and the effects on Susan’s situation (but we should have predicted this one really!)
The rest of the questions were all about options available, considering factors, analysing those options, recommendations with justification and reviews. The advice process; funnily enough…
Many of the questions that came up could have been practised in advance. If you look back at previous exams you can see the same types of questions being regularly examined. The common themes include:
- Additional information required
- Factors to consider
- Options available and their pros/cons
- Recommend and justify
- Review questions
- Process questions
How can BTS help with an R06 exam pass?
We recommend the following approach:
- Order the BTS R06 study guide and get studying asap. Anyone who tells you that don’t need to study a guide is not doing you any favours!
- Do as many past papers as possible. Get in touch with BTS if you want some sent across.
- Attend a BTS workshop, where we will have designed, and you practice, possible case study questions and answers
The cost of attending a BTS RO6 workshop is ￡345 + VAT. Guides retail at ￡115 + postage.
BTS are running three workshops for the April sitting: London 1 on the 6th/7th April, London 2 on the 8th/9th April and Manchester on the 14th/15th April.
Get in touch with us via our email address at [email protected] or reserve a place via our website from this page