This article is relevant to anybody who wants to further their career in the financial services or insurance industries, whether you are at Certificate Level or Diploma Level.
I had an interesting email a couple of weeks ago. A customer had purchased both the CF2 mock papers and our CF2 calculation workbook. Intriguingly the customer, let’s call him David, then decided he no longer wanted the calculation workbook. When I asked why this was the case, he replied that he had telephoned the CII and they had said he didn’t need the workbook because everything that was needed was contained in the CII study text.
This is worrying for two reasons. Firstly, the CII themselves state that it cannot be assumed that the entire exam syllabus is contained in their study text (although – to be fair – most of it is). And also, whilst the CII study text does contain example calculations where needed, this is often not enough for some students. So how can someone in the CII customer service centre tell a student that they do not need a calculation workbook? Even more surprisingly, David decided to go with what the CII told him, despite obviously needing the book because he wouldn’t have bought it if he didn’t think he needed help in that area!
The point is, everyone is different. Some people find calculations or certain more complex areas of the exam syllabus really easy and need no further help. Some people find the same areas a complete nightmare. The CII study text is a good starting point, but for most people is not a great end point. Just because a colleague of yours is sailing through the material and tends to pass exams without a blink, doesn’t mean that you will be the same. Only you can know what is best for you.
I generally have a lot of respect for the CII customer service staff as they tend to be pretty good at providing information when you ask for it. But don’t take the word of a stranger about what YOU need. Only you can know.
It’s important for the majority of people to use a wide variety of learning methods in order to retain and truly understand study material. There are many ways of learning : reading, listening, watching and doing. The CII study text provides the reading, mock papers and workbooks provide a mix of reading, watching and doing and things like our masterclasses provide listening and our training programs provide all four.
Some people learn best by reading. Others just can’t seem to retain material in that way and learn best by doing. Others like to be able to listen to parts of the exam syllabus whether that be at home, in the car or wherever.
If you find you’re struggling with just reading the CII study text, it would be worth your while trying a different type of learning. Even just writing notes rather than solely reading can help.
Some people believe they have trouble retaining information and claim they have a ‘poor memory’. I used to think this of myself. However, I have fairly recently learnt differently. Michael Tipper won the world memory championships back in 1998 and is an expert on memory. One thing he has taught me is that EVERYONE can have a good memory. You’re not born with it, you have to learn it. It’s like riding a bike. Practise and practise and you will improve. You can find out more at www.michaelonmemory.com
So do what is best for YOU, and don’t simply do what someone has told you. Only YOU know what works best for you. And only YOU know what else you need to do to pass your exam. |
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